Kansai Scene issue #154 March 2013 by Kansai Scene Magazine

I’m free. Go on, pick me up.

無料 issue 154 March 2013

www.kansaiscene.com

Back to school Randsel satchels, a school-themed izakaya & language learning Green Pride Kansai’s craic scene Secret Tanabe Discover magical machiya

Plus+ One mother unschooling her child & the International School option

+ Where To Go And What To Do —

Kansai Scene is proudly published and printed by Mojoprint

Local listings, news, maps and classifieds

Kansai Scene magazine MARCH 2013 kansaiscene.com

Contents Features Unschooling your child

p08

International School education

p10

Irish Culture in Kansai

p30

Sumo comes to Osaka

p37

Features

COVER ARTIST: Takashi Saito See more of Takashi’s bold paintings at his solo exhibition “Portrait of nobody” at DMO Arts in Isetan Umeda this month (Feb 27–Mar 16).

Travel

Kii Tanabe, Wakayama

p18

Food and Drink

No Idea Tachinomiya, Kobe

p28

Izakaya 6-nen 2-kumi, Kyoto

p13

Kids and Family

Adventure World, Wakayama

p25

Listings Film & Books

p26

Events & Festivals

p34

Art

p38

Club

p40

Classical Music

p42

Live Music

p44

Business Finder

p46

Classifieds p48 Maps p52

kansaiscene

@kansaiscene

Kansai Scene is published monthly by Mojoprint Publisher/Creative Director...............Daniel Lee Editor.............................................. Carla Avolio Sub-editor................................Donna Sheffield Sales Manager............... Nicholas Despopoulos Production Manager..................... Rie Okamoto Graphic Designer....................Naomi Mochizuki Accounts Manager......................... Michiko Lee

Art.................................................. Tomoko Ishii Event & Festival............................ Yuki Uchibori Film...........................................Donna Sheffield Classical...................................Michael Vezutto Live............................................ Phillip Jackson Club.................................................Terumi Tsuji

DISCLAIMER Opinions expressed herein are not necessarily endorsed by the publisher. We take no responsibility for the quality or content of advertisements. Public and private parties appproached by those claiming to work for or on behalf of Kansai Scene should call this office to confirm the truth of any such claim, especially where money may be involved.

Enquiries

General mailbox@kansaiscene.com Advertising sales@kansaiscene.com Tel. 06-6539-1717 Fax. 06-7635-4791 Address Osaka-shi, Nishi-ku, Shinmachi 3-5-7, Eiko Bldg. 2F Website www.kansaiscene.com A bit of history Kansai Scene was founded by Peter Horvath and Nishikawa Keiko in 2000 and published by Jatin Banker between 2003 – 2011. Published monthly, KS provides English articles, information and listings for visitors and residents of the Kansai area.

Got some news?

Kansai Scene magazine MARCH 2013 kansaiscene.com

for on the lookout KS is always ents and new newsworthy ev und town. openings aro ggestions to Email your su cene.com editor@kansais

News & Openings

Film festival back in town

All aboard the Hogwarts JR line Osaka — Muggles rejoice! Universal Studios Japan is opening a new park - the Wizarding World of Harry Potter - next year, and there’s already a Hogwarts Express (kind of) lined up to take you there. A JR train decorated with Harry and wizard chums started operating on the JR Yumesaki line on February 1 to get fans excited about the new park. The park will feature replicas of Hogwarts Castle and Hogsmeade village, and rides from the current Potter theme park in Orlando, Florida. Japan is the largest market for Harry Potter outside the US, and Universal Studios Japan hopes the new theme park will bring another million visitors to the complex.

Future Shorts comes to Kitano

Osaka — The 8th Osaka Asian Film Festival will be held from March 8–17 where a wide selection of independent Japanese movies will be shown across eight different cinemas. The festival aims to promote filmmaking in Osaka and will feature a selection of movies based in the city, but there’s also a focus on Hong Kong, Thai cinema, Chinese filmmaker Li Yu, and three films on the subject of Tohoku’s March 11 disasters. The festival doesn’t just include flicks, but will also feature talks with directors, a special symposium and welcome party, plus a themed book fair and poster exhibition. Approximately 70% of the Drug War by Hong Kong director Johnnie To, will be the opening film at this year’s Osaka Asian Film Festival movies will have English subtitles. There’s an almost bewildering array of tickets and screenings available, so check the website for venues and prices. It’s wise to get advance tickets as numbers are limited. Prices range from ¥1,100 per movie, to a 1-day ticket for ¥2,800. Tickets are available from Pia machines in convenience stores. © 2012 Beijing Hairun Pictures Co., Ltd. All Rights Reserved.

www.oaff.jp/2013

Global comedy group

Kobe — Future Shorts, the international short film festival that’s been held successfully in Kyoto for the past few years, gets a debut screening in Kobe this month. International group We Are One Japan are hosting the screening on Mar 23 at Cafe Terrasse de Paris function room in Kitano, Sannomiya. The event runs from 6:30pm–10pm, with the audience invited to vote on their favourite movie at the end of the night. Participants must register and purchase tickets in advance, as places are limited to 100. Only over-18s are permitted, due to the nudity and sexual content of some films.

Osaka/Kobe — ROR Comedy is Kansai’s first and funniest English-language stand-up comedy group. Established in 2011, ROR brings together comedians from Britain, Canada, the US, New Zealand and Japan. The material, which ranges from wry observations of life in Japan to the universal themes of love, loss and defending oneself against the kanchō, has tickled crowds in Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe, Tokyo ROR Comedy’s Edd Daggers. Photograph: Mark Weich and Okinawa. The gang also host open mic nights at Osaka’s L&L Bar on the last Thursday of every month. Check out their upcoming shows at Cafe Absinthe in Osaka (Mar 20) and Bar Iznt in Kobe (Mar 10). Both shows start at 8:30pm and cost ¥500.

www.weareonejapan.com/events/future-

www.rorcomedy.com

shorts-festival

Kansai Scene magazine MARCH 2013 kansaiscene.com

Know your rights for free Kansai — If you Visas? want to get the Taxes? latest information on worker’s rights Pensions? and immigraInsurance? tion laws, there’s a multilingual hotline you can call for a free consultation this month. The Japan National Federation of Labor Unions Osaka and RINK (Rights of Immigrants Network in Kansai) are offering the service on March 29–31, from 3pm–8pm. You can consult with a labor union expert, lawyer, and other specialists or authorities concerned with labor issues, legal issues, procedures for immigration, social insurance and pension. All information is confidential and the hotline is not related to any police or immigration service. Interpreters are available in English, Chinese, Korean, Spanish, Portuguese, Tagalog, Thai, Indonesian and Vietnamese. Tel: 06-6949-0005

French Connections The latest news for francophiles in Kansai, by Stephan Ducoup

Bonjour! If February was the chocolate month, then March will be the marshmallow month. Japanese custom dictates that girls offer chocolate to guys on Valentine’s Day, and guys traditionally offer marshmallows to ladies on White Day one month later. To tell you the truth, I’ve never offered marshmallows to a lady in March. Instead, I recommend that gentlemen invite their special someone to a nice, romantic place with a bouquet of flowers thrown in. In fact, why not invite her to one of the many celebrations happening in Kansai during March as part of La Francophonie - the federation of french speaking countries that promotes french language around the world. So this month, let’s stay romantic with the language of love. At least just remember, JE T’AIME! • KOBE: The world famous cooking school Le Cordon Bleu will open its doors for professional bread making lessons. Mar 8 & 19, 4pm–6pm. See cordonbleu.co.jp/kobe/ painbuffet/jp or for reservations tel. 078-393-8221.

Oodles of joy Kyoto — Did you know that there are over 45 recognised varieties of udon in Japan, and that you can sample them all under one roof? If you’re mad about these fat, white strands of joy, then look no further than the Udon Museum in Kyoto. This newly-opened museum, perfectly situated in the renowned Gion district, is a temple for all things udon. There are displays on udon history, major ingredients, that to-die-for soup stock, plus noodle samples showing the huge variety of shape, thickness, color, and length. And that’s just for starters. You can try 45 mini-bowls of specialty udon from around Japan, and get your hands on over 100 different types of dried udon at the souvenir shop. As any udon lover will tell you - it’s best to get in while it’s hot.

Kobe French Party @ Spark Cafe Sannomiya. Mar 8 from 7:30pm • OSAKA: Monthly FRANCE KANSAI meeting at Umeda (check www.facebook.com/francekansai for exact date) • KYOTO: Gourmet lovers, don’t miss the French Marche (pictured) at INSTITUT FRANCAIS on Sun 3 Mar from 10am. Come and taste organic products, crepes and french wines. Also everyone welcome to the French Afterwork party on Mar 15 at KAWA CAFE from 7:30pm • If you prefer to stay at home, don’t forget to check your new episode of the French-Japanese web drama PARIS ALEAS on www.clubantoinette.com.

udon.mu French Marche at the Institut Français du Japon - Kansai, Kyoto, Mar 3

Kansai Scene magazine MARCH 2013 kansaiscene.com

Business matters

The future of English language learning For millions of teachers and students alike, private language schools - eikaiwa - are central to everyday life in Japan. What’s the business behind the books? Text: Dr. Stephen Zurcher • Image: Eikaiwa Studio PES

English language learning has long been a big business in Japan, and with the Ministry of Education now focusing on critical thinking - a key English conversation skill - in theory there should be a growing market of keen students. This year so far, 2.27 million Japanese people took the TOEIC (Test of English for International Communication) exam. Some of those who took the TOEIC test work at Rakuten or Uniqlo, whose leaders have mandated English communication in the workplace. Many other workplaces set an expected TOEIC score for staff, even if they rarely deal with foreigners. It’s a given that English language skills improve job prospects for most Japanese people, not just those with aspirations to work abroad. The official Japanese government language instruction assistance program, known as JET (Japan Exchange and Teaching Program), has brought over 55,000 foreigners to Japan since its founding in 1987 to help with instruction at the primary school level. But many students, after graduating school, don’t keep up their English practice until they land a job that suddenly demands it. Then it’s back to the books, and here’s where eikaiwa get a big bulk of their adult students. Of late, there has been a great deal of turmoil in the eikaiwa business with the general trend being one of little growth in the number of schools. Revenue per student has recently been rising, yet the number of students per

class is dropping. Famous eikaiwa firms such as Nova and Geos went bankrupt dramatically in the last few years. Nova employed over 5,000 language instructors at its peak, and many are still receiving well overdue wage payments from the fallout. Other large businesses, such as ECC and Aeon, have absorbed ex-Nova staff and students for in-class training, but the nationwide eikaiwa business model is still under stress. For some more insight, KS spoke to Michael Perkins, who has run two eikaiwa schools for over ten years. His school, Eikaiwa Studio PES, is based in Kobe. KS: How did you get into the English language business originally? Michael Perkins: I arrived in Japan in 1995 as a member of the JET program. In the summer of 1996 I started teaching in a large eikaiwa school in Osaka. I was there for two years and later moved into the sales and management side. I enjoyed building relationships with people and the business challenged my creative spirit. After a few detours along the way, I opened my own school in 2002. KS: Can you explain how the business works, for example your cost and revenue models? Perkins: At the core, a language school revolves around selling time and maximizing resources. Layered on top of that is the curriculum and support services such as study abroad programs or

language test preparation. Depending on the business model, schools provide either packaged courses or monthly payment options. We have classrooms in Motomachi near Daimaru and in Kokusaikaikan in Sannomiya. Rental fees are a major fixed cost. We pay our teaching staff a living wage, and that is the second largest expense. Without going into detail I believe it is possible to achieve a gross margin of 25-60% under a tightly managed cost controlled system. You can expect startup costs to range from 1.5-4 million yen based on location. Advertising is primarily done on the Internet supported by school signage and flyers. Our reputation and longevity in Kobe is due to the strong word-of-mouth culture and referrals from our clients. KS: How do you see the English school business evolving in the next two to three years? Perkins: There is a lack of innovation in the live lesson market. Disruptive online lessons, cafe lessons and the falling teaching wage have culled the number of schools and teaching jobs. There will be further consolidation among large size schools as they continue to cut operation costs. Local markets are ripe for growth and we will see a move toward small kiosk-sized schools in the next few years. Schools will have to modernize the lesson experience to attract customers and compete with the growing number of alternatives to classroom-based language study.

Kansai Scene magazine MARCH 2013 kansaiscene.com

Feature

My kid doesn’t go to school No school today? But this kid isn’t playing hooky - he doesn’t attend school. His parent gives us a lesson in unschooling. Text: Izumi Texidor Hirai • Image: KS

In Japan, when someone wants to know how old your kid is, they don’t ask you, “How old is your kid?” Instead, they ask you, “What grade are they in?” That shows, to me, how homogenous and structured the schooling system is in Japan. Whenever I get asked this question, I have to stop and think. I naturally remember how old my son is - anyone who has been through labour remembers the date - but I need to calculate when it comes to school grades. After that short, awkward moment comes the next question. “What school does he go to?” And here we go... My kid is nearly nine years old and has never studied in a school. That

doesn’t mean he doesn’t study, he actually likes studying and loves learning. We do what people call “unschooling”, although I am not very keen on labels. When I reply that my kid doesn’t go to school, I tend to get a blank stare back. Doesn’t compute. When our son was a baby, he loved books. So we read him books. By the time he was supposed to start school, he was already reading and writing, and speaking better Japanese than me (who was raised in Spain) and his dad (who was raised in England). So I never really worried about education. I just focused on spending quality time with him, listening to the things he had to say, answering his ques-

tions, making time every day to play with other friends, to go investigate things in the park or at the library. By the time everyone else started school, I didn’t see the point in taking him. After all, I don’t believe in doing things just because everyone else does them. I took a good look at my little family and I was happy with what I saw, so why change it? But social pressure always gets to you, especially in Japan where one is not supposed to stand out. All those blank stares made me think about some sort of structured education. So, when he was four years old I started home-schooling. That means that I found curricula on the web and created

Kansai Scene magazine MARCH 2013 kansaiscene.com

a school inside our house. We gathered textbooks and used the internet to learn about languages, the arts, maths, music, history, sports, social sciences. We would start in the morning with whatever subject attracted him the most and would study until he had had enough – sometimes hours later. We would stop for lunch and start again with another subject. One of the best things about home-schooling was the flexibility to go on excursions whenever and wherever. When he was into arts, for example, we went to see every single museum in our city. We also had the liberty of being much more hands-on in every subject – I still remember the mess in the kitchen when we studied measurements. Although I was loving the process, we stopped home-schooling after a year. I started to notice that my child, who had always loved to learn, was now trying to escape the classes. He still wanted to learn, but he didn’t want to study. That told me that something was not right. After the usual doubts and insecurities, I stopped listening to the voices around me and did what felt the most natural to me and my little family: we closed the school and started unschooling. In the beginning, I didn’t even know it had a name or that someone (an educator of course) had established it in the ‘70s. I just did what seemed right: I forgot about the internet and curriculums, and looked at this like a holiday. We didn’t know how long it was going to last or if we were going to end up in school. If you are curious about how unschooling works, let me tell you about a typical day for us. We wake up when we have had enough sleep (we hardly ever use an alarm clock). We look outside and decide our day according to the weather (it is Kyoto after all). If, say, it’s nice outside, we’ll get busy preparing a healthy picnic and finding somewhere interesting to go. Kids are always into something, so we just need to find the right fit: an exhibition, a game centre, the river... Learning opportunities are everywhere.

We don’t plan any lessons, we learn by living and talking about it, and listening. By observing my kid I have understood how he learns, so it’s easy for me now to give him what he needs. Most of the times he only needs access to his interests and he takes it from there. It’s not always things that I enjoy (like when he was interested in origami and was learning coordination and perspective through it) but education is not about the adult, is about the child. All I do is be there for him. I participate if he needs me to, and then I just give him plenty of time to follow his discoveries. I’m the adult, so my role is to give him the tools. But I can’t learn for him. Every child is different and they all learn in different ways at different paces. The trick is to adapt to that, so there isn’t one fixed system in unschooling, it depends on every kid. After getting over the fact that my kid doesn’t go to school, next comes the obligatory question, “But how does he socialize?” I could go into a long discussion here, but I will just say that my kid is a very normal kid. Imagine a six-yearold who only socializes with other sixyear-olds always in the same building. Now imagine a six-year-old who talks to other six-year-olds, and with shopkeepers, and with his parents’ friends, and with the elderly in museums and with babies on trains. Of course we make sure that he gets plenty of time to play with other kids, but his best friend is another boy ten years older than him. So what? My best friend is twenty years older than me. After all these years of unschooling, my kid is not more or less clever than other kids, but he certainly knows himself, is confident, and has very broad knowledge. He is probably more mature than the average kid, but at the same time he is more naive. His childhood is longer and for me that is a privilege. Let kids be kids. If you asked me about pros and cons of home-schooling or unschooling versus education inside a school, I would tell you that every kid is different. And every family is different. Look carefully at your kid and decide. I don’t think that one system is better than another,

but I do think that one system is not for all. As for my kid, I don’t know what he will do in the future, but I’m not worried. I think that if a person knows what they’re truly like from an early age, they will waste fewer years making mistakes. He may never go to university, or he may go and have to apply through different entry exams. Like me, back at university studying medicine at thirty-eight. My goal as a parent is to help him become a great human being, someone with lots of resources and tools, someone who will be happy. And by the way, as I write this, don’t think that my kid is reading Einstein’s biography (although Einstein is one of his heroes). He is playing video games with his dad. And that’s fine by me.

Resources: sirkenrobinson.com/skr Ken Robinson is a globally renowned pioneer in Education’s Revolution and has a number of recorderd talks on modern education available on the TED website. Just do a search for his name. www.ted.com yes-i-can-write.blogspot.jp This is a blog by an adult girl who has been unschooled all her life. It shows a success story and provides interesting links. holtgws.com John Holt was the educator who advocated for Homeschooling and ended up taking a step further to invent Unschooling. His website has lots of information, links and books. home-education.org.uk This website has legal information on Homeschooling for British Citizens. For legal issues, it’s best to look according to the child’s nationality. homeschooling.about.com Lots of information and links to books and other websites.

Kansai Scene magazine MARCH 2013 kansaiscene.com

Feature

Training for the global stage Canadian Academy is celebrating its 100th year in Kobe. So what’s so good about international schools? And does this one tick all the boxes? KS joins the class of 2013. Text: KS • Images: Canadian Academy

Schooldays were the best days of our lives. But how can we make sure our kids have the best experience too? Anybody with children faces the unavoidable decision of how to give them an education. In Japan, the most obvious option is to send your child to a regular state school, where they may be one of 40 students reciting content off a blackboard, sitting endless tests, and with minimal encouragement for critical or creative thinking. But for many parents, especially those who grew up under western education, this system doesn’t quite fit the bill. So is

there another way? The answer is, yes: the international school. With smaller classes, better facilities, modern curriculums, and a multicultural environment, international schools are an attractive choice for parents in Japan wanting a brighter future for their children. One such place is the Canadian Academy - an impressive, purpose-built facility set in expansive grounds on Kobe’s Rokko Island. It has all the trappings of a good international school, and its students get the grades that open doors to the world’s top universities. It’s also a great example of how you can give your child all the opportunities of an international education but in the convenience of Japan. The school was founded in 1913 by missionaries in Kobe as the Canadian Methodist Academy. Starting out with just 13 students, it has grown dramatically in size and reputation over the last 100 years. Today, the nine-acre

campus has fully-equipped classrooms, as well as a dormitory, science labs, a fitness centre, two soccer fields and tennis courts, and two theatres. The student body is equally diverse, with around 600 students from 39 different nationalities currently enrolled. “We have so many combinations of nationality at the school,” says Kirsten Welbes, teacher and Director of Community Relations. “For example, we’ve got families where Mum is Japanese and Dad’s Australian, but the kids identify themselves as American. Global kids, or those who’ve travelled a lot with working parents, can feel like they’re in a cultural limbo. But here, everyone’s different, so somehow we all fit in.” While this cultural mix leads to a lot of international exchange events, the home culture is also fostered through classes on tea ceremony, calligraphy and language. Kirsten’s own children also study at the school, so she has

Kansai Scene magazine MARCH 2013 kansaiscene.com

A student’s view Aron Castro joined the school in 2000. He’s the Student Body Council President and will be graduating this year. After that, he’s off to Singapore to study film. KS: What have you enjoyed most about studying at CA? Without a doubt, the wide range of people. What I find so great about this school is that it consists of individuals that come from different parts of the world with their own stories, values and ethics. What results from all these

another reason to care deeply about its environment and curriculum. She talks excitedly about local craftsmen coming into her daughter’s class to talk about design materials. It seems this is no ordinary syllabus, either. Students start from age three in the Primary Years Programme (PYP), move into the Middle Years Programme (MYP) from grade six, then start taking classes in the Diploma program from grade 11. The school offers an advanced college preparatory education based on International Baccalaureate programs taught in English. Extra-curricular activities are also wellcatered for, from international sporting events to Shakespeare performances. “What drew me to Canadian Academy first was its academic results,” Kirsten says. “The students can – and do – go on to study at top-class universities. Oxford, Yale, Osaka University – no doors are shut. Some students may only come to us for three or four years but their achievements are internationally recognised. Those universities want our students.” Hearing some of the alumni stories, you also get the feeling that wherever they go next, students deeply enjoy their time at Canadian Academy. They all talk about being part of a community, and making close friendships there. In fact, one alumnus didn’t want to leave at all, and rejoined the school as a faculty member.

It’s understandable then that teaching jobs go fast here. “We have around 85 teachers, and we only hire the best, experienced people,” says Headmaster David (D.J.) Condon. “We usually go to international school recruitment fairs but many people want to work for us. I’ve been here for two years, and I think it’s just a great place to work.” Every Wednesday, the students finish class one hour earlier than usual. This time is given to teachers for their professional development. Small class sizes and a central location are other bonus parts of the job. But the best part? It’s the students, says Kirsten: “We have amazing students. They take their education seriously and actively try to do well. It’s inspiring for us as teachers to see their commitment, energy and motivation.” Sound like a dream school? International schools like Canadian Academy may not be perfect, but if you can afford the tuition, they will give your child much more opportunity to have a great education.

individuals coming together is that a new culture is formed, which is an appreciation of universal values such as our caring for one another, a drive to succeed, and family. Furthermore, people at Canadian Academy are never afraid to share a laugh with one another. With all the variations in languages and beliefs, we make great use of universal tongues like humor to break down walls. When I graduate, no matter the extent of future renovations on the facilities, the people will always define Canadian Academy. They will provide a constant sense of familiarity; like you’re back home. KS: How has Canadian Academy influenced your life? With my experience in Canadian Academy, I can walk out the doors with a solid foundation on how to survive in an increasingly globalised world. What I cherish most about my education here is that it has instilled in me a respect and appreciation for other people and the places they come from. With violence, hate,

Canadian Academy

and unrest headlining the news, a globalised perspective allows me to

4-1 Koyo-cho Naka

be a part of the solution. Canadian

Higashinada-ku

Academy is a school; a place for

Kobe

academics and growth. It encourages

658-0032

my development and inspires action.

www.canacad.ac.jp

But ultimately, after 13 years…

Tel: 078 857 0100

it’s home!

Kansai Scene magazine MARCH 2013 kansaiscene.com

Food and drink

A Drink Down Memory Lane Nostalgia goes better with alcohol. Enjoy Japanese schools of years past with the izayaka 6年4組. Text and images: Jeff Lo

Quick: what’s the one thing you’ve always fantasized about doing inside a school classroom? Yes, we answered “drink beer” too! (You’re on your own for anything else.) And now, thanks to some very clever restaurateurs, adults wary of trespassing laws have the opportunity to indulge in just that fantasy by dining at a school-themed izakaya. At their worst, theme restaurants can be a horror show of overdone movie/ cultural tie-ins, inflated prices, and a misplaced sense of priorities (think laudable attention to kitschy decorations and “humorous” names for food items, but poor customer service and very little thought to the actual food itself). When done better, however, you end up with eateries like 6年4組 (6 Nen 4 Kumi; Sixth-Year Students, Class #4), a national chain of school-themed izakaya that almost manages to get the kitsch/quality balance just right. But before you get excited about dinner in the classroom, it’s important to note that these are Japanese school-themed izakaya, with Japanese being the operative word. To get the full effect of the place, it’s imperative 1) to have personally gone through the

Japanese school system, or 2) that you bring along someone who has. Please also be aware that nothing inside is written in English. In the case of the Kyoto branch of 6 年4組, the full effect hits soon after you step out of the elevator, with shouts of “natsukashii!” (“Oh, this takes me back!”) coming from the increasingly excited customers, or “se no jun narande kudasai!” (“Line up according to height!”) from the clerks, if you have to wait for a seat. The interior is chock-a-block with authentic (or so we’re told) blackboards, leather book bags, ohana gami (paper flower decorations), notepads, and student newspapers. Patrons sit at school desks (“Our chairs never had pillows, though,” a Japanese friend intones. “Our chairs were hard.”) and ring an electronic buzzer to summon the tracksuited waitstaff. Best of all is that the school is yours! You’re free to doodle in the notebooks, try on a uniform, or even take the day’s pop test for a chance at a reward. (Prizes are given for perfect scores; cheaters, however, are made to stand in a corner.) There are lots of distractions, which may be a good thing. The food, while

reasonably priced and serviceable in that standard izakaya kind of way - lots of fried stuff, lots of dressing-drenched salads (we opt for the “Health-Protection Sensei’s Caesar Salad”) - is really nothing to write home about. (An exception must be made, however, for the agepan (fried bread), which was hot, crisp, chocolaty, and incredibly sweet. We were surprised that the menu didn’t give it a fancier name.) Overall, the atmosphere was tops; the meals, unfortunately, slightly less so. It’s “school food,” though, so what can you do?

6年4 組 • Website: (in Japanese) www. hanshin-shokuhin.co.jp • Where: Kyoto Sanjo, Yamazakicho 235, FORECAST Building, 3F • Price: About ¥500 for a la carte menu items, or ¥3,000 for all-youcan-eat-or-drink plans • Open: 5pm–11:30pm • Tel.: 075-221-0604

Kansai Scene magazine MARCH 2013 kansaiscene.com

Made in Kansai

Bags of charm Ever wondered about those boxy backpacks that pretty much all elementary school kids in Japan have? KS visits Osaka’s very own Ikuta Randsel to get the story. Text: Justine Lane • Images: KS

The first thing that hits you as you enter the small bag shop in south Osaka is the smell – an industrialstrength blend of leather and adhesive that permeates the air. Mr Nagai, who has been working at Ikuta Handmade Randsel for a year and a half, doesn’t seem to notice. He smiles broadly as we sip green tea and chat about the company and their bags. Ikuta Randsel have been making school bags for over 60 years. They started out small here in Ikuno-ku, historically a bag-making area, around 1955. In 1969, they moved to Mie

to expand their operations. But they weren’t happy with the idea of manufacturing on a factory line, so they returned to Ikuno-ku in 1984, where they have been hand-making their randsels ever since. The history of the randsel (which is an old Dutch word for “backpack”) goes back much further, all the way to 1885. According to Japan Times writer Alice Gordenker, a rather fancy school called Gakushuin in Tokyo noticed European soldiers carrying square bags around, and thought that getting their students to use something similar

might be clever – which indeed it was. Prior to that their students were using furoshiki (wrapping cloths) to lug their books around – and the rest of Japan continued to do so until the 1960s, when the randsel became an “essential” elementary school item. While it seems that few schools actually demand that their students buy randsels, almost everyone in Japan starts their school life with one of these bags. Traditionally a kid’s grandparents will buy them a brand-new, shiny randsel in time for their first day of school. The bags, which are built to resist swinging and flinging and intended to last the entire six years of elementary school, are not cheap, with the average purchase being ¥35,000, and high-end models going for more than ¥60,000. Ikuta Randsel’s bags range within these prices. Back when the world was monochrome, randsels were basically only available in two colours – black for boys, and red for girls. These days, things have changed, and kids can get a randsel in any colour they like. The walls at Ikuta Randsel are testament to this – a cheerful display of pinks, reds and earthy colours, and various combinations thereof. Mr Nagai tells us that the most popular colour for girls this year is brown (which we almost celebrate as evidence of progression in the realm of gender, until we remember that randsel designs remain genderspecific), while boys have stuck with black, although apparently they have developed a taste for red trimming. Inspecting the bags, we get the lowdown on the rough randsel dimen-

Kansai Scene magazine MARCH 2013 kansaiscene.com

How to make a randsel: There are hundreds of parts and steps involved in making a randsel. Here is a super-simplified guide to the process at Ikuta Randsel: 1) The different parts are carefully cut out of the leather sheets. 2) The leather is worked to a uniform thickness. 3) The rivets (those little metal things) are pressed in and parts start taking shape. 4) Machine stitching of stuff happens. 5) Hand-stitching of stuff happens where it’s too tough or finicky for the sewing machine to handle. 6) The bag is assembled, with gluing and more sewing happening where necessary. 7) The bag corners are reinforced and smoothed down. 8) Final sewing, smoothing and

sions, which haven’t changed much over the years. With a height of 31 cm and a width of 22.5 cm, randsel are just the right size to hold A4 folders. Convenient! They have one big boxy pocket, with a smaller, slimmer one and a small zip pouch in front. A big flap comes down to cover all this. The bags weigh in at between 1 and 1.3 kg. Synthetic bags, which comprise the vast majority of randsels today, tend to be lighter, leaning towards 1 kg. Ikuta Randsels’ bags, however, are all genuine leather – one of two features that distinguish them from other randsel manufacturers in the area (the other being that each bag is handmade on the premises). Ikuta Randsel uses both cow and horse leather, with the horse leather being for their premium range of randsels, which are punted as being “smoother and stronger”. I’m not sure how well horse leather school bags would go down in the West, but in the land of horse sashimi and shampoo, it doesn’t seem too far a stretch. Mr Nagai also shows KS the randsel workshop. Stacked sheets of leather,

boxes of bag parts, packets of shiny clips and studs, and reams of colourful threads command our gaze as our ears reverberate with the whirring, hammering and cutting going on around us. The handful of employees, following the same basic method that has been around since the company began, make about ten bags a day. They make batches of about 100 at a time, with the shop selling 2,000 bags this past year. Customers order them from the shop’s website, or directly through the store. Orders open in June and close around October, with the new bags boxed and ready to go in time for the new school year.

checking happens. 9) The bag is boxed, stacked in the store and sent off to, or collected by, its proud new owner.

Mini memories Many people have such fond memories of their randsels that they find it tough to part with them. Seeing a business venture in this nostalgia, many randsel companies, including Ikuta Randsel, offer a service where customers can bring in their old, beat-up randsel, hand over between ¥10,000–¥20,000, and walk away with their beloved bag in tiny, functional form, with stickers and scratches intact.

Ikuta & Co. • Website: www.randsel.jp • Address: 6-2-16 Tajima, Ikuno-ku, Osaka

Kansai Scene magazine MARCH 2013 kansaiscene.com

Great hiking is not all that’s on offer at Tanabe, birthplace of warrior monk Benkei (right). Enjoy the beach at Ogighama (above) or immerse yourself in history at Kozan-ji temple (left).

Travel

Secret discoveries Tanabe City is best known for being the gateway to the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage trails, yet this former castle town has much more to offer. Text and images: Alena Eckelmann

The majority of visitors pass through Tanabe on their way to the Nakahechi, one of five ancient pilgrimage trails that lead to the Kumano Sanzan – the Three Grand Shrines of Kumano. Little do they know that this historic town on the shores of the Pacific Ocean is worth some exploration and even an overnight stay. Let me explain why. For a start, downtown Tanabe still exudes the flair of the castle town that it was for 400 years. The Meiji Era reformers did away with the fortress, but the city was spared from destruction during World War II and hence there are still a great number of machiya (traditional townhouses) and yashiki (former samurai residences), not to

mention a dozen shrines and temples all in the vicinity of the city center. The Tanabe Machi-Navi audio guide (tb-kumano.jp/en/audio-guides/audio_ guide) will tell you all about Tanabe’s history and about the town’s illustrious VIPs – Benkei, Ueshiba Morihei and Minakata Kumagusu – and guide you to places associated with them. Right outside the Kii Tanabe Station visitors are greeted by a statue of Benkei, a legendary 12th century Buddhist warrior monk. You don’t need new glasses if you think that this guy is rather big. Benkei was over two meters tall and of great strength. He was said to be born in Tanabe and is now celebrated at the Benkei Matsuri held in October each year.

A more contemporary celebrity of Tanabe is Minakata Kumagusu (18671941), a pioneer naturalist and scientist with all the trappings of a prodigy and eccentric researcher. If you think that you chose a strange research theme at university, consider this: Minakata’s research passion was the slime mold, which he collected wherever he went, including during a stint in prison. His great collection of notes and specimens are preserved at the Minakata Kumagusu Archives located in downtown Tanabe (tb-kumano.jp/en/what-to-do/ Minakata_Kumagusu). Aikido enthusiasts will know that Tanabe is the birthplace of O-Sensei, aka Ueshiba Morihei (1883-1969), the founder of Aikido. His gravesite,

Kansai Scene magazine MARCH 2013 kansaiscene.com

located at Tanabe’s Kozan-ji Temple, is a must-go destination for any self-respecting Aikido practitioner (tb-kumano. jp/en/aikido). Visit in early spring and you will be able to delight in an ocean of white ume blossoms at Tanabe’s plum orchards. Did you know that Tanabe is the largest producer of umeboshi (pickled plum) in Japan? That’s omiyage sorted! If you come in summer, take a dip in the Pacific Ocean at Ogigahama, Tanabe’s very own city beach, or alternatively at Shirahama beach across Tanabe Bay. Shirahama, easily accessible from Tanabe, is a famous onsen resort where a great many of Kansai’s couples have tied the knot. Marrying a local might indeed enter your mind when you watch Tanabe’s beauties in their yukata during the Tanabe Festival in mid-July. Don’t miss the parade of floats and the horseback archery at the festival before retreating to Ogigahama’s beach house for a drink on the seashore while watching the sunset. Now, here comes a little secret: Tanabe is the gourmet capital of the whole Kii Peninsula. The Kuroshio ocean current sweeping by the shores of Tanabe ensures a constant supply of fresh seafood, and the Kumano Mountains supply wild plants for unique local dishes. All your culinary needs will be met in Tanabe’s Ajijoji, an entertainment area in front of Tanabe Station. In less than one square kilometer, you’ll find over 200 izakaya (Japanesestyle pubs) huddled together along small alleys, serving up the best local cuisine (tb-kumano.jp/en/dining/gourmet-map). Tanabe’s citizens are proud of their history and they make every effort to preserve their heritage. Visitors will soon realize that this is a genki machi – a lively city with friendly locals who go about their business with a smile on the face and welcome visitors with open arms. Part cultural destination, part city escape and part pilgrim’s paradise, Tanabe is certainly a city that can satisfy all your holiday desires.

Stay, eat & play at Tanabe’s machiya Konyamachiya is a traditional twostorey wooden townhouse that was reformed to suit the taste and needs of modern travelers. Located in a quiet neighborhood near Aizu River, it’s the perfect accommodation for a little escape as you’ll have the whole house to yourself! The aged, dark-brown wooden beams, white clay walls and the simple yet stylish interior convey a traditional Japanese flair, while the fully equipped kitchen and bathroom gives you all the comfort you want from your home away from home. Tanabe-shi, Konya-machi 74; Reservation through the Tanabe City Kumano Tourism Bureau: kumano-travel.com/ index/en/action_ContentsDetail_Detail/id209 Machiya Café is a 100-year-old traditional townhouse turned café where you can eat delicious home-made pizza baked in a kiln behind the house. This café is run by a non-profit-organisation that helps socially-challenged youths integrate into society. Sasayama, the manager of the café, used to live here and believes that “the house is happy now because many people come to it.” Tanabe-shi, Kamiyashiki 2-6-31; Tel: 0739-20-5595; Open 9am-5pm, closed on Mondays. English menu available. machiyacafe-2choume.sakuraweb.com Mojike House, another 100-year-old townhouse, is an art space where accomplished oil painter Hiromoto Naoko lives and works. Her private quarters, an art studio and a gallery, blend in well together manifesting Hiromoto’s motto of “living with art; art living with us”. She runs a weekly painting school, monthly events and ad-hoc workshops at

Konyamachiya as depicted by local artist Hiromoto Naoko. Try your hand at one of her art and craft workshops on offer at Mojike House.

Mojike House in addition to organizing some “art actions”, including the annual Tanabe Arts Festival. One of her favorite workshops is botanical aquarelle painting in the style of Minakata Kumagusu. Tanabe-shi, Nakayashiki-machi 54; Tel: 080-5542-9745; Prior reservation necessary.

How to get there: Take the Express Kuroshio train run by JR West from Kyoto Station, Shin-Osaka or Osaka’s Tennoji Station and get off at Kii-Tanabe. Depending on where you get on the train, it will take 2 hr 35 min to 1 hr 45 min. Please note that not all trains run from Kyoto Station.

Author’s tip: Check out the Tanabe City Kumano Tourism Bureau website, which provides comprehensive information about Tanabe and Kumano in English, French, Chinese and Korean. Their excellent online reservation system facilitates easy booking of accommodation, tours, activities and travel services (kumano-travel.com/index/en/action).

Kansai Scene magazine MARCH 2013 kansaiscene.com

Language

海外生活日記

Classroom Japanese Taking a bit of time to study a few common phrases and commands relating to classroom language will not only help you understand what your Japanese teacher is telling you (pretty important) but will also assist you in organising any riotous kids you may have to deal with as part of your day job. Anyone who has ever worked as a teacher in the Japanese school system will know too well that asking a large group of kids to push their desks together and make groups etc. is often met with blank stares. Start using a few of the phrases below and save your sanity. Leave the English for the activity explanation itself and maximize learning time. では始めましょう

de wa hajimemasho 16ページを開けてください

Jyu-roku pe-ji o akete kudasai 聞いてください

kiite kudasai 静かにしてください

shizukani shite kudasai お手洗いへ行ってもいいですか？

otearai (Toire) e itte mo ii desu ka すみません。質問があります

sumimasen. shitsumon ga arimasu 「grammar」は日本語でなんと言いますか？

(grammar) wa nihongo de nan to iimasu ka? それはどういう意味ですか？

sore wa dou iu imi desu ka ゆっくり話してください

yukkuri hanashite kudasai 分かりません

wakarimasen ペアを組んで下さい

pe-a o kunde kudasai 机を合わせて 5人のグループを作って下さい

tsukue o awasete go-nin no gru-pu o tsukutte kudasai ちょっと、休憩しましょう

chotto kyukei shimasho

Okay, let’s begin Please open page (16) Please listen Please be quiet May I go to the bathroom?

Excuse me, I have a question… How do you say ‘grammar’ in Japanese?

What does that mean? Please speak more slowly I don’t understand Get into pairs please Please put your desks together and form groups of 5

What is it like living in…

Jordan? Naoko Kimura moved to Jordan, where she has been charmed by its unique Arabic world. She tells KS all about it. １．ヨルダンで何をしていますか。アラビア語を学びながらツアーコンサルタントとコーディネーターをしています。独自のプランで中東旅行を楽しみたい日本のお客様と現地代理店とを橋渡しします。実際に中東にいらしたお客様の通訳やアテンドといった現地サポートも行っています。２．普段何語を話しますか。どのような学習方法で。日常生活ではアラビア語、ビジネスシーンでは英語です。アラビア語には、テレビ・新聞などで使われる「正式アラビア語」と「アンミーヤ」と呼ばれるストリート・ランゲージがあります。普段は人々との会話を通じて学んだアンミーヤを話します。正式アラビア語は複雑で文法も難しく一般的な言語ではないため、ヨルダン大学併設のアラビア語学校のコースで学んでいます。３．ヨルダンに行って想定外に良かったこと。メディアの影響などで中東にはネガティブなイメージがありますが、実際にヨルダンに住み報道とは全く違う中東の別の顔に出会いました。メディアが描く「血に飢えた」アラブの姿ではなく、ごく普通の、平和を愛する、そしてちょっぴり抜けていてお茶目な、人の良いアラブたちを見る時に「これが本当のアラブ世界だ」と大きな声で言いたくなります。誤解されている人たちの魅力を直に知ることが最大の醍醐味です。私が日常的に出会う人たちの中には、とことんアラブでありながらも、キラリと光る何かを持っている人たちがいます。そんなアラブを私は「ダイヤモンドの原石」だと思って、非常にいとしく感じます。アラブ世界は第3世界と呼ばれ、遅れている面もあります。落胆し腹の立つこともありますが、一部の人たちが持つキラリと光る潜在能力を信じてかけてみたいと思っています。 4. ヨルダンのここがオススメ。ワディラム砂漠とムジブ保護区です。映画「アラビアのロレンス」の舞台となったワディラム砂漠をロレンスは「神々しいまでに気高い」と表現しています。夜に銀細工のように散りばめられた満天の天の川を眺めていると、人生をリセットできるような気がします。ムジブは死海の近くにあり、鋭く切れ落ちた岩の裂け目(シーク)の間を抜けていくリバーウォーキングが楽しめます。独特な模様を持ちそそり立つ岩壁に囲まれる不思議な世界です。アンマン市では、ぜひ街を歩いてアラブの人の良さを体感していただければと思います。 Interview by Sophie Umeda Follow Naoko: • Website: http://picturesque-jordan.com/

Let’s take a break

• Blog: http://plaza.rakuten.co.jp/fmtours/

Kansai Scene magazine MARCH 2013 kansaiscene.com

Kids and family

Where the wild things are Only two hours south of Osaka, Shirahama Adventure World offers a global safari experience without leaving Kansai. Text and images: Jean-Yves Terreault

After much discussion with your partner, you’ve agreed to visit an animal park to show your children real wildlife, despite the ethical issues at the back of your mind (“Are the animals just prisoners?”) Now comes the complicated part of choosing which one to go to, and while the Tennoji and Oji zoos or the Tempozan and Suma aquariums are convenient options, Shirahama Adventure World in Wakayama prefecture should be at the top of the list for Kansai residents: diverse types of animals, proximity to many creatures, and activities the whole family can enjoy are all arguments in its favor. The large park is separated into many sections, including the Marine Wave and Elephant Feeding Square, and there are lots of fun rides scattered throughout. One of the most popular sections, especially with last year’s birth of a cub, is Panda Land. The park has had notable success at breeding the black and white bears, which suggests that the commercial enterprise is playing an important role in conserving the animals. Be sure to get there early, especially if you want a good look at the pandas kept inside.

Adventure World also devotes a lot of space to sea animals, especially with the Penguin Kingdom, Center Dome aquarium (penguins, otters and polar bears) and the Big Ocean pool used for sea mammal shows and close encounter activities (these cost extra). If you attend the show, hurry at the end down to the glass wall where you can interact with the curious marine animals. Perhaps the highlight of the park is Safari World - a large expanse with several enclosures for mostly African animals such as cheetahs, rhinoceroses, antelopes, and elephants to name just a few. There are many opportunities to feed animals throughout the park, with most only requiring a coin to buy a food capsule. It’s a great chance for kids big and small to experience what the tongue of a giraffe feels like or the hand of a hungry squirrel monkey. With the huge variety of animals on display, your little ones will be begging to see them all, so be prepared to be mobile. The park offers lots of transport options for traveling between sections, including free shuttles and private SUVs (for a fee). But the best

way to do it, if you have the time, is to use the footpath (high heels not recommended). Although the stairs and dirt sections mean that negotiating a baby stroller requires a bit of brawn, the outdoor experience is unbeatable. So put on your jungle hat and boots, and practice your howls - it’s a screamer!

Shirahama Adventure World • Open: Every day from 9:30am–5pm (closed two Wednesdays every month) • How to get there: The nearest station is JR Shirahama. The JR Kiseihonsen Express train takes around 2 hours from Osaka, although if you are only going for one day, early starts and late returns are required. Many travel agencies offer deals with a onenight stay in one of Shirahama’s hot spring hotels. • Visit tips: Check the Japanese side of the website for exact times for feedings and other activities. If you are the shopping type, do allow enough time for it, as the shops are big. • Web: www.aws-s.com

Kansai Scene magazine MARCH 2013 kansaiscene.com

Also playing

Mar ?

Oz the Great and Powerful March 8

Follow the yellow brick road, and you’ll find the magical land of Oz. But before Dorothy and her ruby slippers came a-tapping, small-time magician Oscar Diggs was hurled there by a tornado. He enjoys the magical fame at first, but soon the locals want his help with a little witch problem. Action/Adventure/Fantasy • Director: Sam Raimi Stars: James Franco, Michelle Williams, Rachel Weisz

Cloud Atlas

Film previews

Pick

Django Unchained 165 mins • Adventure/Drama/Western • Director: Quentin Tarantino

March 15

The Wachowskis made us take the red pill into movie history with The Matrix in 1999; now here’s their new mind-bender. One set of characters evolve through six different time periods, shifting in personality and interaction to show us how everything in life is connected. Stunningly dream-like. 172 mins • Drama/Mystery/Sci-fi • Directors: Tom Tykwer, Andy Wachowski, Lana Wachowski Stars: Tom Hanks. Halle Berry, Hugh Grant

Stars: Jamie Foxx, Christoph Waltz, Leonardo DiCaprio

Controversy, heaps of violence, cool actors and a snappy soundtrack? It just has to be a Quentin Tarantino movie. This unkempt, whiny-voiced guy who looks more like a weasel than a hip Hollywood director is just impossible to ignore. Not bad for a guy who started out working at a video rental store. While working the late shift, this movie nut started writing, directing, and taking acting classes, and it all paid off in 1992 with his debut movie, Reservoir Dogs. This heist movie that never featured a heist, but plenty of plot twists and no holds-barred violence, made for a cult classic. It also helped in setting the tone for his follow up movies: Pulp Fiction, Jackie Brown, Kill Bill I&II, and Inglorious Basterds. Whether you love Tarantino’s movies or hate them, you can’t deny they ooze a certain cult style. You’ve got to see them to join in the debate. And this one, his first western, is no exception. Set in the Southern states two years before the civil war, Django Unchained is the story of a freed slave who teams up with a German bounty hunter, then goes on a mission to save his enslaved wife, Broomhilda. Calvin Candie is the ruthless plantation owner who Broomhilda belongs to, and Django must get closer to his trusted house slave Stephen if he has any chance of rescuing her. As you might expect, the violence here is ruthless and graphic, including slaves fighting to the death, whipping, a man being ripped apart by dogs, and of course guns, guns and more guns. And, if you close your eyes, your ears will take a battering too, as we not only get the f-word – that’s a given – but also the n-word, and repeatedly. Violence on all fronts, that’s classic Tarantino. Don’t forget you can find a list of local cinemas online at www.kansaiscene.com/cinemas/

Wreck-It Ralph March 23

Game geeks will surely dig this, Disney’s tip of the hat to the gaming world. Ralph is a bad guy in a game with one mission – to smash stuff up. But he wants to restart his life, and try being the hero for once. Worth saving your current game to take a break for this one. 108 mins • Animation/Adventure/Comedy Director: Rich Moore • Stars: John C Reilly, Jack McBraver, Jane Lynch

Anna Karenina March 29

The director of Pride and Prejudice and Atonement brings us another movie with Keira Knightley pouting her lips while squeezed into a tiny corset. This one is Tolstoy’s novel of a 19th century Russian aristocrat cheating on her hubby and dealing with all the fallout. 129 mins • Drama • Director: Joe Wright Stars: Keira Knightley, Jude Law, Aaron TaylorJohnson

Kansai Scene magazine MARCH 2013 kansaiscene.com

Books

Best of both worlds? Japanese at school, English at home - bilingual kids seem to have this language learning in the bag. Or do they? Here’s some support for the parents.

Free Stuff!

na reader can wi One lucky KS ual Edge. ing Bil e Th of copy name w email your To enter the dra ansaiscene.com @k to: giveaways rk the subject by Mar 17. Ma ’. ‘Bilingual Edge

Text: Catherine Jao

As the saying goes, “When in Rome, do as the Romans do.” But in a rapidly globalizing and mobilizing world, Rome could just as well be in the middle of Osaka as in Italy. There are many reasons that lead foreigners to move to Japan and eventually settle here, but one thing most of us share is the desire to pass on our native language to our children, and help them learn Japanese as well. Enter The Bilingual Edge: Why, When, and How to Teach your Child a Second Language by authors Kendall King and Alison Mackey, both professors of linguistics at Georgetown University. While both are specialists in bilingualism and second language learning, they are also mothers of young children, so know first-hand the challenges of raising and teaching children another language. It was when they became parents that they realized how badly a book like this was needed. “We noticed three things: first, the overwhelming enthusiasm and desire among many, many parents to promote early second language learning; second, widespread misunderstandings about how second languages are learned … and third, a remarkable lack of unbiased, scientifically based – but understandable – information out there for parents,” they write.

The result of their collaboration is a fact-based yet easy-to-read book on how to help children learn a second language. While it presents lots of research and data, the information is made user-friendly with sections like “Fast Facts” and “Quick Tips”, real-life stories, as well as a wrap-up after each chapter that gives readers the important take-home message. The nitty-gritty of the book comes in when they begin debunking the myths of bilingualism. We have to start early or we will never learn another language? Not true, they say. While native accents are more easily acquired young, different age groups simply learn differently and can still gain a relatively high mastery of the language. They also caution us on depending too much on technology to teach our children a foreign language. In truth, nothing compares to interaction with a real, live human being, even one with minimal skills in the second language. So counting “ichi, ni, san” while you help your child walk might actually be better than having them watch Japanese cartoons alone. If you’re looking for a well-organized, encouraging introduction on how to raise your children in more than one language – from people who know what they are talking about – this book has what you need.

Authors’ top language tips: • Even if you are not fluent in the majority language, use it in fun, everyday activities such as playing songs and games, reading them books, and in everyday conversation and routines. • Use the minority language at home more than the majority language to provide space for that language to grow. • Mistakes are a sign of progress; it shows that the child is learning. Instead of constantly correcting them, parents are better off engaging their child in conversations and modeling the correct forms. • Digital media sources are not very effective in promoting second language acquisition on their own. They are better as an add-on to meaningful human interaction.

Author: Kendall King, Alison Mackey. HarperCollins, 2007. ISBN: 9780061246562

Kansai Scene magazine MARCH 2013 kansaiscene.com

Food and drink

Dipping into new territory A standing bar that’s serving up the perfect blend of fried food and whisky.

No Idea Tachinomiya • Where: 2-12-2 Morigo-cho, Nada-ku, Kobe • Open: daily from 2pm–2am • Access: JR Kobe line, Rokkomichi

Text and images: Clint Anesbury

station. Exit left at the ticket

Japanese standing bars? That’s where the patrons are over 50 years old and the drinks selection consists of cheap and nasty alcohol, right? Wrong. This tachinomi, or standing bar, has plenty of appeal for those in search of great food, cold beer, modern and tasteful surroundings, and of course a whisky or two. Best of all, it’s kept the down-toearth prices of its traditional relatives. And that’s one custom we’re happy to have hang around. No Idea Tachinomiya, which opened in 2011, is a cross between a kushikatsu-ya and a whiskey bar, serving both from a warm, wood-paneled interior. An enticing aspect of this well-known establishment, which is frequented by both locals and foreigners in the know, is that it’s not in the Mecca of Osaka’s hustle and bustle, but in the humble location of Rokkomichi, Kobe. The simplicity of the tiny but cozy retreat means that there is no snobbery

and the friendly team is always happy to converse and give recommendations. A lot of young and young at heart frequent the place for these qualities alone, so whether night or day, the place has some interesting individuals to converse with. It’s got a tiny and arguably ordinarylooking shop front, but once inside, patrons will find a well-stocked wall bar with a variety of Scotch and Japanese whiskies, as well as bourbons, and popular domestic and international liquors. The whisky lineup is small compared to your average dedicated whisky bar but nevertheless perfectly selected. To accompany drinks, No Idea offers a range of kushikatsu from as little as ¥80. If you want bang for your buck, the best time to go is during happy hour (2:00pm–5:00pm) when a ¥500 coin gets you a choice of a cold beer, chu-hi, highball, or shochu, plus an option appetizer of the house specialties

gates and station exit, right at McDonalds and walk 3 minutes to Rokko arcade. • Check it out if... you want a night out drinking whisky that won’t break the bank. • Don’t bother if... you dislike small spaces and are looking for a bigger establishment where private conversation is possible. • Go to dish: non traditional kushikatsu such as cheese chikuwa, Camembert cheese, and ham katsu. • Go to drink: something from the selection of Japanese and Scotch whiskies, or the house specialty: fresh tomato Chu-hi. • It’ll cost you... not an arm and a leg. The kushikatsu menu ranges from ¥80-170 per skewer, whiskies go from ¥450-800. • Best bit: there’s NO COVER charge and it’s just minutes from the station. • Worst bit: last kushikatsu order at 11:00 pm.

Kansai Scene magazine MARCH 2013 kansaiscene.com

Feature

The Kansai Craic Scene Kansai is alive to the sound of Irish music and dancing. And you should see what they’ve done to a pint of Guinness. Text: JJ O’ Donoghue

On St Patrick’s Day, March 17, Ireland’s biggest festival day, the world is divided into those who are Irish and those who want to be, or so the story goes. One thing that unites both sides is craic. Craic is a word often used by the Irish, and, much like ganbare in Japanese, translations never render these words with their full meaning.

Craic, pronounced “crack”, is about enjoyment and having a good time. For instance you could say: “What’s the craic?” “Where’s the craic?” or, “Kill the craic” for someone who might interrupt a joke to talk about work. Japan, for all its distance from Ireland both geographically and culturally, has plenty of craic. Of course,

as in Ireland, it’s primarily, but not exclusively, centered in the pub. There are probably more Irish pubs in Kansai than there are Irish people; for some pubs Irishness amounts to a questionable pint of Guinness but other Irish pubs are making great efforts to foster Irish culture.

Kansai Scene magazine MARCH 2013 kansaiscene.com

In Kansai, Kyoto leads the way in another famous export: Irish music. Originally, the trend was pioneered by Japanese buskers, or street musicians, playing jigs and reels on street corners for tourists. Nowadays various Kyoto pubs and cafes are hosting regular sessions. The Field, located at the western end of Nishiki market in downtown Kyoto, is the (young) granddaddy of Irish music pubs in Japan. Suzakisan, the owner and mandolin player, has a great love of Irish music and in 10 years running The Field he has attracted legends in the scene: Altan, Donal Lunny and most recently Andy Irvine. In addition to the big names, the venue holds twice-weekly sessions (Tuesdays and Saturdays) where local musicians of all ages and skill levels are welcome. Beginning this year The Field will host a monthly session for beginners in association with the World Music Circle at Ritsumeikan University. Upstairs in the studios you can take private lessons to learn fiddle, tin whistle and uilleann pipes – a complex but haunting bagpipe. Also in Kyoto at Pub Gnome, folk singer Felicity Greenland has been hosting a monthly sing-along for the past few years. Everybody is welcome, and Greenland provides song sheets of Irish, English and Japanese folk songs. The Gnome also holds regular sessions and concerts as well workshops from visiting traditional Irish musicians and singers, so it’s worth checking on their website. The Dublin, a new Irish pub in Kyoto, is fast making a name as another Irish music venue, while over at Gion stalwart The Gael, live Irish music can be enjoyed most Friday nights and at the well-established monthly open-mic nights. Further out of town at The Wood Note, a log cabin looking like it has been transplanted from Norway, sessions are held every Monday and you can enjoy the owner’s vast array of great Irish music records. Murphy’s in Shinsaibashi also holds a session on the second and fourth Wednesday of every month. While Kyoto has the edge on music, Osaka leads the way in Irish dancing. There are two established schools teaching both types of Irish dancing:

step dancing and céilí, dancing. Broadly speaking, the former achieved world recognition with shows like Riverdance while the latter, a type of group dancing, is what they were doing in the movie Titanic before it went down. Much like live music sessions, the great thing about Irish dancing is that your language level is irrelevant, it’s a great way to get fit, meet all sorts of people and get a better understanding of the craic. Both schools are run by a team of Japanese teachers. Yoshidasan, the principal dancer at J-Click, came to Irish dancing by the way of tap-dancing and along with his team of dance teachers they teach all levels and ages. SAINAK, based at Morinomiya, meet on Sundays to learn and practice céilí dancing. They even have their own musicians to keep the ceili going. Finally, no experience of the craic would be complete without a taste of Ireland’s food. Irish Curry, quite possibly the world’s only Irish curry pub, has adopted the technology mantra of innovation through disruption. Its not-so-secret recipe for success is to add Guinness, Ireland’s most famous export, to its curry, making it as rich as it is sweet. Styled like an Irish pub and only a ten-minute walk from Osaka Station if you only do one thing Irish in March, eat an Irish curry. Now get craicin!

Get the craic! Irish music pubs in Kansai • The Field, Kyoto, sessions every Tues: www.geocities.jp/kyotofield • Pub Gnome, Kyoto, weekly sessions: http://gnomepub.exblog.jp • Wood Note, Ichijoji, Kyoto, session every Monday: 075-722-9302 • The Gael, Kyoto, open mic night monthly, live traditional music Fridays: www.irishpubkyoto.com • The Dublin, Kyoto, live traditional music: http://dublin.kyoto-pontocho.jp • Murphy’s, Shinsaibashi, Osaka, session second and fourth Weds: 06-6282-0677

Folk Singing Felicity Greenland, Kyoto, monthly singa-long at Pub Gnome: http://lookingathouses.blogspot.jp

Irish dancing • J-Click, Osaka, Irish step dancing: http://j-click.info • SAINAK, Osaka, ceili dancing: http://sainak.sakura.ne.jp • Kyoto Irish Dance Club, Kyoto, ceili and step dancing: http://homepage2.nifty.com/ irishkyoto

Irish Curry Toyosaki Kita Ward, Osaka 531-0072 Tel: 06-6375-5527 Open Mon-Sat 11am–10pm, Closed 3-5pm

St Patrick’s Day in Kansai Irish Network Japan are holding a two-week Ireland festival from March 17, based in Nakanoshima Park, Osaka’s oldest public park. The festival will include a water parade, a Celtic market, live music, pub crawls, dance workshops and much more. Check their websites for all the details. www.irish-network-japan.com/en • www.facebook.com/groups/inj.kansai In Kyoto, the St Patrick’s Day festivities will be held at the Shin-Pun-Kan near Karasuma-Oike on March 17. There will be music, dance and stalls selling Irish food and drink. http://st-patricksdayinkyoto.jimdo.com/english-page

Kansai Scene magazine MARCH 2013 kansaiscene.com

This month in Kansai

ART

EVENT

FESTIVAL

Benoit Broisat: Ghost Tokyo Details p.38

Exhibition of Dyeing, Textile and Embroidery Handicraft

Hina Nagashi Details p.36

Details p.34

EVENT

CLUB

FILM

EVENT

Details p.26

Details p.34

Nara Shoku Sai Details p.34

Daishi Dance presents Midnight! (House) @Grand Cafe

Oz the Great and Powerful

Higashiyama Hanatoro 2013

Details p.40

EVENT

FESTIVAL

LIVE MUSIC

Details p.35

Details p.36

Evening of Traditional Performing Arts

Einen Sai Festival

Sheena Easton @Billboard Live Osaka

Lecca @Zepp Details p.44

Details p.44

EVENT

LIVE MUSIC

FILM

Nihonbashi Street Festa 2013 Details p.35

Grimes @Club Quattro Details p.44

Chara @Zepp Details p.44

Wreck-It Ralph Details p.26

Kansai Scene magazine MARCH 2013 kansaiscene.com

ART

EVENT

ART

Details p.38

Details p.35

Mimeograph: Artistic Exploration of Printing Machine

+me vol.6

Machiya Hina-Meguri

Tagi Nahano: Riatomo (Real Friends) Details p.38

Details p.39

ART

FESTIVAL

ART

Kota Miyazaki: Cow with the Largest Body in the World

Toshiharu Fujii Exhibition

Seiryu-E Details p.36

Details p.39

Details p.38

CROSS SECTIONS Chronicle @ MoMAK 1963-2013 Details p.39

EVENT

LIVE MUSIC

EVENT

Details p.34

Details p.44

Details p.34

Details p.35

CLUB

EVENT

CLASSICAL

Shika Senbei Tobashi Competition

Wicked! (House) @Joule Details p.41

Brandy @Billboard Live Osaka

Love Dancin’ (Dance) @Circus Details p.41

Camellia– Ten Exhibition

Kyoto Antique Fair Details p.35

Toa Sute Jazz Live Kobe

Yulianna Avdeeva plays Chopin Details p.42

Kansai Scene magazine MARCH 2013 kansaiscene.com

Events

Mar 31

Magoichi Matsuri 孫市祭 FREE

Honganji Saginomori Betsuin Temple & Surroundings, Wakayama • Mar 31

Come and join this one-day spectacular event celebrating the historic hero, Magoichi Saika, who lived in the 16th century in Wakayama. Legend has it that under Magoichi, the matchlock gun troops known as Saika-shu had a fearsome reputation as formidable warriors. Witness the parade of samurai in their suits of armour, powerful demonstrations of matchlock guns and the dynamic stage combat. Enjoy a live rock musical about Magoichi, an exciting Sport Chanbara

competition, lectures on Saika-shu, and many other interesting events. You can even get hands-on by donning body armour and shooting toy guns. A must-see event for warriors big and small. Time: 11am–4pm • Admission: free • Access: Nankai Railway Wakayamashi stn; 5min walk • Tel: 073-423-3136 • http://magoichi.fc2web.com/index.html

Event Listings Calling all camellia devotees! Don’t miss out on seeing over 230 types of camellia on display in a beautiful garden setting. www.pref.kyoto.jp/yamashiro/ meister/joanji.html

Kobe Hana Monogatari, Hyogo 神戸花物語 2013 Nara Shoku Sai, Nara 奈良食祭 FREE

Kasihara Koen • Mar 8–10

Foodies will love this golden opportunity to taste the delights of Nara cuisine. There will be barbecues, nabe dishes, fresh vegetables, famous restaurants, as well as a playground to keep the kiddies happy. Access: Kintetsu Railway Unebi Goryo-mae stn; 5min walk

Camellia – Ten Exhibition, Kyoto 椿展 FREE Shizuyasutera Temple • Until April 15

FREE

Duo Kobe • Mar 1–3

Flower lovers will be in floral heaven at this large horticultural event, where 20,000 flowers will be on display. Enjoy a flower arranging show, workshops, a live auction and more.

the costumes, and try your hand at embroidery and patchwork in artist-led workshops.

will be showcase their precious wares for Girls’ Day.

www.tondabayashi-machizukuri.org/

Access: JR Biwako line Minami Kusatsu stn; 10min walk

Higashiyama Hanatoro 2013, Kyoto 東山花灯路 FREE

Higashiyama Area • Mar 8–17

Kyoto will host a magical illumination event in the neighbourhood of Higashiyama. Stroll down classical avenues glowing with lanterns, candles and flowers, and explore dimly-lit paths and waterways.

Shika Senbei Tobashi Competition, Nara

www.hanatouro.jp

第21回鹿せんべいとばし大会

Exhibition of Dyeing, Textile and Embroidery Handicraft, Shiga 暮らしの

Jinai-Machi Town Hinameguri, Osaka

Mt. Wakakusayama • Mar 16, 17 and 20

www.kobe-hanamonogatari.com

寺内町四季物語「春」じないまち

中の東アジア染め、織り、刺繍

雛めぐり

Shigaken Geijutsu Sozo-Kan • Mar 2–17

FREE Jinai-Machi Town in Tondabayashi City • Mar 9 & 10

Accomplished artist Fumiko Nakayama will be sharing her collection of beautiful ethnic clothes and artifacts. Have a go at wearing

See hina dolls displayed in antique houses in the historic district of Jinai-machi, where over 100 homes

Cement your place in the record books at this unique festival where shika senbei (round, thin crackers eaten by deer) are hurled as far as possible. And the best bit? Nara’s resident deer will obligingly clean up the mess. Access: JR/Kintetsu Railway Nara stn bus to Daibutsuden Kasugataisha-mae 20min walk

Kansai Scene magazine MARCH 2013 kansaiscene.com

Mar 17

Mar 1–31

Ireland Festival in Osaka 2013

Machiya Hina-Meguri

アイルランドフェスティバルin Osaka 2013

高取土佐町並み「町家の雛めぐり」

FREE

Nakanoshima Park & Umeda Sky Building • Mar 17, 23 & 24

Osaka will be turning emerald green in March as the city celebrates all things Irish in honour of Saint Patrick’s Day. Throw on your best green clothing and head to Nakanoshima Park on the 17th to see the colourful marching parade. After that, the party is guaranteed to keep going with a range of festivities held at the many pubs or Irish events around town. And the fun continues on the 23rd and 24th with a lineup of traditional and modern Irish entertainment, food and drinks at Umeda Sky Building. Visit the blog for details:

FREE

Takatori-cho Tosakaido, Nara • Mar 1–31

Make your way to Takatori-cho in Nara where over 100 homes will showcase their dolls, known as hina ningyo, in celebration of Girls’ Day. Enjoy a stroll down the main street leading to Takatori Castle Ruins where traditional wooden houses with black tiled roofs line the footpath. Or stop for a chat with one of the friendly locals to discover their beautiful memories about hina dolls. There will be also a variety of attractions to keep you busy during the event. Time: 10am–4pm •Admission: free •Access: Kintetsu Railway

http://osakainj.blog.fc2.com/blog-entry-47.html

Tubosakayama stn •Tel: 0744-52-1150 www.hinameguri.jp

Evening of Traditional Performing Arts, Osaka

Takoage Japanese Kite Competition, Hyogo

上方伝統芸能ナイト

たこあげ大会

Yamamoto Noh Theater • Mar 16 & 30

Kobe Shinrin Shokubutsu-En • Mar 24

Get bigger bang for your buck at this performance where four varieties of performing arts will be on show on one night. Those of us in need of language support will be catered for via subtitles, and some English-speaking performers.

Experience kite flying Japanese style at the botanical garden of Kobe Shinrin Shokubutsu-en. In this perfect flying venue, kite kits will be given to the first 150 participants so don’t miss out!

www.noh-theater.com/english

Toa Sute Jazz Live Kobe, Hyogo まちのアートステージトアステJAZZライブ FREE NHK Kobe Toa Station • Mar 23

Enjoy a free, live performance of jazz in Kobe, the town known as the cradle of jazz music in Japan. Access: JR/Hanshin/Hankyu Railway Sannomiya stn; 10min walk

Access: Kobe Railway Kita Suzurandai stn free bus to Kobe Shinrin Shokubutsu-en

Kyoto Sakura Parade, Kyoto 京都さくらパレード FREE Kyoto City Hall and Surroundings • Mar 24

From the first note to the last, this Kyoto Sakura Parade is a celebration of the coming of spring. The city hall and surrounding streets will come alive with the sound of thirty of the finest brass bands as they compete with each other. Access: Subway Tozai line Kyoto Shiyakusho-mae stn

The 7th Sakura Yose, Osaka 第７回さくら寄席 FREE Osaka Sankei-Gakuen Culture Centre • Mar 24

Nihonbashi Street Festa 2013, Osaka 日本橋ストリートフェスタ2013 FREE

Denden Town • Mar 24

Get your costumes on and head to Osaka’s Denden town, where the streets will be transformed into a cosplay wonderland for one day only. Cars are banned from the area, and will be replaced with live performances, demonstrations of the latest electronics, a maid parade and much, much more. Look out for your favourite anime character and remember to dress to impress. http://nippombashi.jp/festa/2013/

If you’re interested in rakugo but could never get past the language barrier, now’s your chance to hear the traditional Japanese comedy in English. The comic story of the 7th Sakura Yose will be told by school students at a one-off performance. www.ac.auone-net.jp/~sayohime/

Kyoto Antique Fair 京都大アンティークフェア FREE

Pulseplaza • Mar 29–31

Get ready for a weekend of treasure hunting at the Kyoto Antique Fair, where the 330 dealers hawking their wares make this the largest antiques market in western Japan. Access: Subway Karasuma line Takeda stn free bus to Pulseplaza

Find more listings online at: www.kansaiscene.com/listings

Kansai Scene magazine MARCH 2013 kansaiscene.com

Festivals Mar 31

Mar 17

Einen Sai Festival 延年祭 FREE

Urashima-iinja • Mar 17

Hanezu Odori Dance はねず踊り Zuishinin Temple, Kyoto • Mar 31

Make your way to Zuishinji temple, which will be tinted plum-blossom-pink, called hanezu, for the arrival of spring. See the Japanese garden awash with plum blossoms in full bloom, and young girls in brilliant pink costume performing the Hanezu odori dance. The dance will accompany a song about a famous beauty in ancient Japan, Ono no Komachi, who is said to have enjoyed seeing children dance in her twilight years. Time: 11am • Admission: ¥1,000 • Access: Subway Tozai line Ono stn • Tel: 075-571-0025

Get off the beaten path at the Einen Sai Festival - an annual historic ceremony held at Urashima-jinja shrine in the beautiful coast town of Ine-cho. The national legend of Urashima Taro is thought to originate in this region, and the family said to be descended from the legendary fisherman manage the festival every year. One of the highlights is Sanbanso, a classical performing art similar to Noh where three men wearing masks and intricate costumes perform to Japanese traditional music. The performers are local people who train for this event for over a year. Time: 10am • Admission: free • Access: Kitakinki Tango Railway Amanohashidate stn 80 min bus to Urashimajinja-mae • Tel: 0772-32-0277 • Email: info@ine-kankou.jp

Festival Listings Hina Nagashi, Wakayama 雛流し FREE

Awashima-jinja • Mar 3

Beautiful boats carrying hina dolls will float among origami cranes scattered into the sea in celebration of Girls’ Day. Hundreds of women visit to say farewell to their dolls, which are said to be carrying their special memories. Time: Noon • Admission: free • Access: Nankai Railway Kata stn; 15 min walk • Tel: 073-459-0043

Seiryu-E, Kyoto 青龍会 Kiyomizudera Temple • Mar 14 & 15

Kyoto’s most famous temple will recreate the legend of the giant blue dragon, which is said to have flown in to drink the area’s pure water. Don’t miss the dynamic performances featuring many gods from Japanese mythology.

Time: 2pm • Admission: ¥300 • Access: Keihan Railway Kiyomizu Gojo stn; 20min walk • Tel: 075551-1234

Hana Eshiki, Nara 花会式 Yakushiji Temple • Mar 30–Apr 5

See monks at Takushi Temple in Nara chanting in intricately carved temples, or running through halls carrying unsheathed swords, as part of a ritual to pray for world peace. Time: 7pm • Admission: ¥800 adults, concessions • Access: Kintetsu Railway Nishinokyo stn; 8min walk • Tel: 0742-33-6001

Sagicho Matsuri, Shiga 左義長まつり Himure-Hachimangu Shrine • Mar 16 & 17 FREE

At this unusual Shiga festival, men wearing traditional make-up carry glorious floats down the street while surrounded by madly dancing participants. In an added twist, the ornament sculpted in the animal sign of the year is made of food!

floats), horseback archery, holy children in colourful costumes, and many other novel events.

Admission: free • Access: JR Kobe line Himeji stn; 20min walk • Tel: 079-224-1111 • http://sohsha.jp/ mitsuyama.html

Time: 1pm–5:30pm on the 16th, 10:30am–10:30pm on the 17th • Admission: free • Access: JR Biwako line Omi Hachiman stn bus to Kobatacho Shiryokan-mae •Tel: 0748-32-7003

Mitsuyama Taisai, Hyogo 三ッ山大祭 FREE Harimanokuni Sosha Shrine • Mar 31–Apr 7

Make sure you head to Himeji city for the Mitsuyama Taisa - an event celebrated only once every 20 years. See gigantic okiyama (immovable

Sagicho Matsuri. Photo courtesy Biwako Visitors Bureau

Kansai Scene magazine MARCH 2013 kansaiscene.com

Feature

Osaka Sumo 2013: A Big Day Out The big boys are back in Kansai, many with much to prove. Text and images: Chris Gould

Sumo is back in Kansai. Seven hundred of Japan’s strongest athletes will be on display at Osaka’s Bodymaker Colosseum for a 15-day tournament from March 10–24. The rules of this 2,000-year old sport are refreshingly simple. Two strong men, wearing nothing but a loincloth (cotton for the lower divisions, silk for the elite) enter a roped ring of 4.5 meters’ diameter. To win a bout, a wrestler must either push his opponent out of the ring, or knock him down within it. The raised solid clay surface makes for extra painful landings, especially when wrestlers can weigh up to 273 kilograms. The pre-bout rituals make for particularly nice photographs – which are permitted so long as you remain in your seat. Wrestlers will thunderously clap their hands and stamp enormous feet to ward off evil spirits. Hands are also spread wide open before a bout, palms facing down, to prove that no concealed weapons lie within. Elite wrestlers also throw salt to purify the ring, in line with the sport’s Shinto un-

derpinnings. The lacquered hairstyles, of course, evoke the topknots of samurai, symbolizing sumo’s status as the greatest living link to the samurai era. This year, the greatest wrestler on display is Grand Champion Hakuho of Mongolia (194 centimeters, 155 kilograms), winner of the past three Osaka meets. Last year saw him surprisingly pushed to the limit by baby-faced compatriot Kakuryu, only managing to overcome him in a sudden-death playoff. And he will face an even stiffer challenge this time. Sumo recently gained a new grand champion in the form of Mongolian Harumafuji, a comparatively light 133 kilograms but absolutely menacing on the belt. This highly-muscled, super-agile 28-year-old powered to sumo’s highest rank in late-2012, and is unbeaten in three of the past four tournaments, defeating Hakuho in all of those. Sumo’s Mongols will not have it all their own way, though. Japan’s leading talent, 191-centimeter, 165-kilogram Kisenosato, is growing stronger by the

year and surely due to win a championship at some point. Equally hungry for success is the 198-centimeter, 180-kilogram giant from Estonia, Baruto, who memorably secured the runner-up spot in Osaka three years ago. The tallest wrestler is 203-centimeter, 155-kilogram Kotooshu of Bulgaria, possessor of the strongest grip in sumo. The locals, of course, will fervently cheer the exploits of Osaka-born Goeido, currently on sumo’s thirdhighest rank, and whose fine technique enables him to throw far larger foes – even while pivoting!

Get the biggest bang for your buck The sumo action runs from 8:30am–6pm daily (starting later on the final weekend). Tickets have been on sale since February 3, and can be purchased directly from the Bodymaker Colosseum, from ticket machines in convenience stores such as Lawson, or the website: http://sumo.pia. jp/en/sumo03.jsp. Five hundred cheap tickets are put on general sale at 8:30am every matchday, and fans should arrive early to avoid disappointment. But this is not advisable on weekends when huge early-morning queues form. Fans may enter at any time during the day, and for maximum enjoyment, should arrive before the spectacular ring entrance ceremonies at 3:45pm.

Second-rankers Kakuryu (l) and Kotoshogiku (c); Giant Estonian Baruto (r)

Kansai Scene magazine MARCH 2013 kansaiscene.com

Pick

Mar 5–10

Art

+me vol.6 FREE

Osaka • CASO room B

+me is an initiative by CASO where multiple artists are selected through an open call to display their art in a shared exhibition space. This year three artists, Tatsuki Katayama, Tomomi Watanabe and Kazuya Otsuka have been selected. Katayama is a young painter from Tokushima, Watanabe is a photographer active in the Kansai region, and Otsuka is a photographer interested in the alternative possibilities of photographic expression. Mar 5–10 • Photography and painting Open: 11am–7pm; closed on Mondays, closes at 5pm on Mar 10 Admission: Free • Access: Subway Osakako stn www.caso-gallery.jp

Top: Tatsuki Katayama Left: Kazuya Otsuka Right: Tomomi Watanabe

Art Listings Kyoto

Open: 9:30am–6pm, until 8pm on Fri; closed every Mon; open on Apr 29, closed on Apr 30, open on May 6 • Admission: ¥1,400, ¥900 university and high school students, ¥500 junior high and elementary school students • Access: Keihan Shichijo Stn or bus from JR Kyoto Stn • www.kyohaku.go.jp

A Dog and SightSeeing/Site-Walking Part 1

Kano Sanraku and Sansetsu Kyoto National Museum Mar 30–May 12 • Japanese painting

Open: 11am–7pm; closed on Sundays, Mondays and Holidays • Admission: Free • Access: Keihan Jingumarutamachi stn • www.imuraart.com

Osaka

Kota Miyazaki: Cow with the Largest Body in the World

FREE @KCUA Mar 16–31 • Various media

Open: 11am–7pm; closed on Mondays • Admission: Free • Access: Subway Nijojomae stn • www.kcua.ac.jp

and Holidays • Admission: Free • http://ifjk.jp

Benoit Broisat: Ghost Tokyo Institut français du JaponKansai 3F Until Mar 3 • Video art FREE

Open: 9:30am–7pm, closes at 6pm on Sat, closes 11:30am-12pm and at 3pm on Sun; closed on Mondays

FREE MATSUO MEGUMI + VOICE GALLERY pfs/w Mar 12–Apr 6 • Paintings

Open: 12–7pm; closed on Sundays and Mondays • Admission: Free • Access: JR/Kintetsu Kyoto Stn • http://voicegallery.org

Sae Miyoshi Exhibition FREE imura art gallery kyoto Mar 9–Apr 13 • Paintings

Tagi Nahano: Ria-tomo (Real Friends) FREE Port Gallery T Mar 4–9 • Photography

Open: 12–7pm, until 5pm on Mar 9 • Admission: Free • Access: Subway Higobashi stn exit 7 • http://portgalleryt.com

Kansai Scene magazine MARCH 2013 kansaiscene.com

Image: HOMMA Kichiro, A Distant View of Koto-Shimbashi, 1976, Mimeograph on Paper, Private Collection

Mar 16–May 6

CROSS SECTIONS Chronicle @ MoMAK 1963-2013 Kyoto • National Museum of Modern Art, Kyoto

This year, the museum celebrates its 50th anniversary. The museum's inaugural exhibition held in 1963 was "the Prospect of Contemporary Japanese Ceramics," and since then, craft exhibitions have been held annually. The exhibition will focus on the genre of arts and crafts, which has been the central theme among the gallery's collections, through a two part curation.

Until Mar 24

Mimeograph: Artistic Exploration of Printing Machine Wakayama • The Museum of Modern Art, Wakayama

Mar 16–May 6 • Various media Open: 9:30am–5pm, closes at 8pm on Fri; closed on Mondays, open on Apr 29 and May 6 Admission: ¥850, ¥450 university students Access: Subway Higashiyama stn www.momak.go.jp/English/

Mimeograph was one of the most popular printing technologies before and after WWII, and was often used by artists in their creative endeavors. However, with the advancement of technology, mimeograph is rarely seen in its utilitarian or artistic function. This exhibition reflects on how the technique has contributed to modern printing technology as well as the art that was produced from it. During the exhibition period, there will be workshops and lectures. See the website for more information. Until Mar 24 • Prints Open: 9:30am–5pm; closed every Mon

Kanjiro Kawai, Vase, 1962, National Museum of Modern Art, Kyoto collection

Admission: ¥500, ¥300 students Access: JR/Nankai Wakayama stn www.momaw.jp/

• Access: Subway Tanimachi 9-chome stn • http://soho-artgallery.com

Satoru Tamura: Point of Contact #5 FREE Tezukayama Gallery Mar 1–30 • Sculpture

Yuki Muto: Love Letter Port Gallery T Mar 11–16 • Photography FREE

Open: 12–7pm, until 5pm on Mar 16 • Admission: Free • Access: Subway Higobashi exit 7 • http://portgalleryt.com

Yusuke Koshima Exhibition FREE Nii Fine Arts Mar 15–31 • Drawing and prints

Open: 11am–7pm • Admission: Free • Access: Subway Kitahama stn • www.niifinearts.com

Toshiharu Fujii Exhibition FREE Gallery Hosokawa Until Mar 16 • Painting and drawing

Open: 12:30-6:30pm; closed on Sundays • Admission: Free • Access: Namba stn • www.galleryhosokawa.com

Yoshitaka Tatsumi Exhibition SoHo Art Gallery Mar 5–10 • Installation FREE

Open: 12–7pm, until 5pm on Sundays; closed on Mondays • Admission: Free

Open: 11am–7pm; closed on Sundays, Mondays and Holidays • Admission: Free • Access: Subway Yotsubashi stn • www.tezukayama-g.com

Hyogo my home town FREE Kiito Design and Creative Center Kobe Mar 1–24 • Various media

Open: 11am–7pm; closed on Mondays • Admission: Free • Access: Hanyu, JR and Hanshin Sannomiya stn • http://kiito.jp

Garrett O. Hansen: Partner & Passage FREE Tanto Tempo Mar 9–Apr 7 • Photography

Open: 12–6pm; closed on Mondays, Tuesdays and Holidays • Admission: Free • Access: JR Motomachi stn • http://tantotempo.jp

Nara Gallery Selection vol.3 FREE Gallery OUT of PLACE Until Mar 10 • Various Media

Open: 12–7pm; closed on Mon, Tue and Wed • Admission: Free • Access: Kintetsu/JR Nara stn • www.outofplace.jp/G.OoP/

Find more listings online at: www.kansaiscene.com/listings

Kansai Scene magazine MARCH 2013 kansaiscene.com

Club

Mar 30

Club Bambi One of the hottest progressive trance/house parties in Osaka, Raptus is celebrating its first anniversary at the brand new club Bambi in Shinsaibashi. The Raptus crew has invited world-class progressive DJs like Dinka, Ali Wilson, Myon & Shame54, Moonbeam and Max Graham, and this time the crew will welcome the young Dutch prog-trance producer/ DJ Ummet Ozcan to Japan for the first time. Ozcan is best known for the production of grand Trance records and his tracks are supported by A-list DJs such as Sander van Doorn, Armin van Buuren, Tiësto and Markus Schulz. He also flies around the world as a DJ and has played at a number of big clubs and festivals such as Pacha, Tomorrowland, Global Gathering and A State of Trance, just to name a few. If you are looking for real EDM sound, this party is a must go. Mar 30 (Sat) • Raptus - 1st Anniversary Party feat. Ummet Ozcan (Progressive/Trance) • DJs: Ummet Ozcan, Kitten, Shinji, 66, unbalance • Open: 7pm -1am • Admission: ¥TBA • Shinsaibashi

DJ Ummet Ozcan

• Tel: 06-4708-7009 • club-bambi.com

Club Listings 2 (Sat) Circus Dop Japan Tour supported by TetralogisticS (Techno) • DJs: dOP, Kunimitsu, Yasuhisa, Ryo Yoshida, Ben • Open: 8pm • Admission: ¥3,000/1D (ADV: ¥2,500/1D) • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-62413822 • circus-osaka.com

Grand Cafe Golden Time (Dance) • DJ: Hi-C from Kireek, Nick Macleren, Kitadaken, Head Banger + more • Open: 8pm • Admission: ¥2,500/1D • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-62130031 • www.grandcafeosaka.com

Troopcafe

Onzieme

Krush in Kobe (Hip hop) • DJs: Krush + more • Open: 10pm • Admission: ¥3,000/1D (WF: ¥2,500/1D) • Where: Sannomiya • Tel: 078-321-3130 • troopcafe. tumblr.com

Createrium vol.02 DJ Kefir Japan Tour (Techno) • DJs: Kefir, D41 ex.energydai, Takatsugu Wada, Dmitri Farberov + more • Open: 7pm • Admission: ¥2,500/1D (ADV: ¥2,000/1D) • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-6243-0089 • www.onzi-eme. com

Union vino (House) • DJs: Sugiurumn, Yabu, Uoshima, kino., Toshimi • Open: 9pm • Admission: ¥1,500/1D • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 066251-2242 • www.club-union.jp

3 (Sun) Circus

Area g (Techno/Dub/Electronica) • Live: Andy Stotto, Aoki Takamasa, NHK, Kyota • DJs: Shine, Monashee • Open: 11pm • Admission: ¥3,000/1D (ADV: ¥2,500/1D) • Where: Umeda • Tel: 06-6344-6181 • www.club-karma.com

Sushi Records presents Nick Warren Japan Tour 2013 (Progressive House/Techno) • DJs: Nick Warren, Jaxx Da Fishworks, Jaguar, Keiburger, Eyez • Open: 8pm • Admission: ¥2,500/1D (ADV: ¥1,500/1D, WF: ¥2,000/1D) • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-62413822 • circus-osaka.com

Onzieme

Conpass

ageHa Japan Tour feat. Clash (House/Techno) • DJs: Ken Ishii, Ryukudisko, senda, Yashima, Mukai, Shu, Toyo + more • Open: 7pm • Admission: Gentlemen: ¥3,000/1D, Ladies: ¥2,500/1D • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-6243-0089 • www.onzi-eme.com

“Zettai-mu” RSD aka Rob Smith Japan Tour 2013 (Dubstep/ Dub) • Rob Smith, Kuranaka 1945, Kanayama • Open: 6pm • Admission: ¥2,800 (ADV: ¥2,300) • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-62431666 • conpass.jp

Karma

8 (Fri) Circus Tightrope Dancing (House) • DJs: Ageishi, Tetsuo • Open: 7pm • Admission: ¥2,000/1D (Before 9pm: ¥1,500/1D) • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-6241-3822 • circus-osaka. com

Union 4Rapture - union 6th Anniversary!!!! (House) • DJs: Yoku, Masaaki, Nagisa • Open: 9pm • Admission: ¥1,500/1D • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-6251-2242 • www.club-union.jp

9 (Sat) Circus Ree.K 1Night 1DJ (Techno) • DJ: Ree.K - Open to Last • Open: 8pm • Admission: ¥2,500/1D (ADV: ¥2,000/1D) • Where: Shinsaibashi

• Tel: 06-6241-3822 • circus-osaka. com

Grand Cafe Daishi Dance presents Midnight! (House) • DJ: Daishi Dance • Open: 8pm - 1am • Admission: ¥3,000/1D (Before 9pm: ¥1,500/1D) • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-6213-0031 • www.grandcafeosaka.com

Union Extended Mix - union 6th Anniversary!!!! (House) • DJs: Masanori Ikeda, peechboy, DNT, Daisuke Ito, Yusuke + more • Open: 9pm • Admission: ¥1,500/1D • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-62512242 • www.club-union.jp

10 (Sun) Union iDea - union 6th Anniversary!!!! (House) • DJs: Takeshi Kitazaki, Kawakami, Katz, Muramatsu + more • Open: 9pm • Admission: ¥1,000/1D • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-6251-2242 • www.clubunion.jp

15 (Fri) Onzieme Wickedpedia Show (Electro) • DJs: Habanro Posse + more • Open:

Kansai Scene magazine MARCH 2013 kansaiscene.com

7pm • Admission: ¥TBA • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-6243-0089 • www.onzi-eme.com

6pm • Admission: ¥3,000/1D (WF: ¥2,500/1D) • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-6214-1223 • club-joule.jp

16 (Sat)

28 (Thu)

Onzieme

Joule

Vegas (Electro) • DJs: Benkay, Coke-E, Ko-Matsuhima + more • Open: 8pm • Admission: ¥3,000/1D • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 066243-0089 • www.onzi-eme.com

Wicked! (House) • DJs: R(e’rre) del Mondo, Asahara, T.Tsuruhara, Junya + more • Open: 8pm • Admission: ¥TBA • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-6214-1223 • club-joule.jp

Union Gulp! (House) • DJs: Osakaman aka Yagyu, Mottsu, Koji Fujimoto • Open: 9pm • Admission: ¥1,500/1D • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 066251-2242 • www.club-union.jp

World Museum (House) • DJs: Masanori Morita, Daishi Dance • Open: 8pm • Admission: ¥3,000/1D (ADV: ¥2,500/1D) • Where: Kyoto • Tel: 075-213-4119 • www.world-kyoto. com

17 (Sun) Circus Qube TV presents Daniel Bell Japan Tour 2013 (Techno) • DJs: Daniel Bell, Ono, Shingo • Open: 8pm • Admission: ¥3,000/1D (ADV: ¥2,500/1D) • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-6241-3822 • circus-osaka. com

23 (Sat) Circus AGILE feat Sunahara Yoshinori (Techno) • DJs: Sunahara Yoshinori, Monashee, Ryo Yoshida • Open: 8pm • Admission: ¥TBA • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-6241-3822 • circus-osaka.com

Union Vibes (House) • DJs: Konishi, Hirose, Kitaura, Milk Bro., SilverFox • Open: 9pm • Admission: ¥1,500/1D • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-6251-2242 • www.clubunion.jp

24 (Sun) Circus Newtone Records & Circus presents Lost Weekend (Techno) • DJs: Move D, CMT, Yama • Open: 8pm • Admission: ¥3,000/1D (ADV: ¥2,500/1D) • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-6241-3822 • circus-osaka.com

Joule Torque 006 with Mark Broom (Techno) • DJs: Mark Broom, Jonas Kopp, Masa Ueda, Shine, Ryogo Yamamori, Emijah + more • Open:

29 (Fri) Circus Love Dancin’ (Dance) • DJ: Calm - Open to Last • Open: 7pm • Admission: ¥2,500/1D (WF: ¥2,000/1D ) • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-6241-3822 • circus-osaka. com

Union U Need On (House) • DJs: Ogawa, sends, Chu*, Goldtights • Open: 9pm • Admission: ¥2,000/1D • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-62512242 • www.club-union.jp

30 (Sat) Circus DJ Kyoko “Time’s Fool” (Electro/ Techno) • DJs: Kyoko, Fu-Tsuka, Shinya Yoshida • Open: 8pm • Admission: ¥3,000/1D (WF: ¥2,500/1D ) • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-6241-3822 • circus-osaka. com

Onzieme Hush! (Techno) • DJs: Yashima, Nao Nomura, Yabu, masataka + more • Open: 9pm • Admission: ¥3,000/1D • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-6243-0089 • www.onzi-eme. com

Union Masterpiece (House) • DJs: Ise, Tsubasa, Yuzo, Kenji Tazaki, Nao Ikeda • Open: 9pm • Admission: ¥1,500/1D • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-6251-2242 • www.clubunion.jp

31 (Sun) Circus Quarter presents 2562 Japan Tour 2013 (Techno/Dubstep) • DJs: 2562, sou + more • Open: 8pm • Admission: ¥2,500/1D (WF: ¥2,000/1D ) • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-6241-3822 • circus-osaka. com Find more listings online at: www.kansaiscene.com/listings

Kansai Scene magazine MARCH 2013 kansaiscene.com

Classical music

Classical Musings

Yulianna Avdeeva. Photo © Harald Hoffman

Mar 31

Text: Michael Vezzuto

I don’t often get a chance to promote the wonderful concerts constantly being offered at Hyogo Performing Arts Center, due to the enthusiasm with which the public quickly snaps up tickets. This month, however, the HPAC Orchestra’s 59th Subscription Concert is offered for several days, on March 15 and 17 (March 16 is sold out), and the program is highly attractive. Tatsuya Shimono conducts the orchestra in a program of British composer Vaughan Williams’ gorgeous, pastoral, rarely-heard Oboe Concerto and Bruckner’s mammoth (though incomplete) 9th Symphony. The oboe soloist is Celine Moinet. Oboe soloists are a rather rare breed, and yet, at 29 years old, Moinet has established herself as one of the best. The Vaughan Williams work is well worth getting to know (as is the soloist), the huge Bruckner Symphony highlights the talents of this young orchestra, and the cheaplypriced tickets are a strong invitation to discover both works. Attendance at one of these nights is highly encouraged. There’s an interesting set of works programmed by Junichi Hirokami for a concert being held at Kyoto Concert Hall on March 24. He conducts the Kyoto Symphony Orchestra in Khachaturian’s once popular but now rarely heard “Masquerade” suite; Korngold’s sumptuous, big-boned, 1940’s Hollywood style Violin Concerto; and Prokofiev’s Seventh (and last) Symphony, nicknamed the “Children’s Symphony” because of its turn away from dissonance toward a simpler style. The Korngold Concerto, an immediately appealing work that really should be better known, features Clara-Jumi Kang as soloist. Kang, 26 years old this year, is a Germanborn Korean violinist who comes from a musical family and has won the Sendai International Violin Music Competition among other awards. She currently plays a 1683 Stradivarius that is on loan to her for two more years. It’s a good match for a work as open-hearted and bold as the Korngold, and

the rest of the program is equally rare and appealing. Go check it out. Remember last year when, promoting the first of Ingolf Wunder’s two appearances in Kansai, I mentioned that, despite being the fan favorite, he ended in a tie for second place in the controversial 2010 Chopin Piano Competition? Well, this month at The Symphony Hall on March 31, you will have a chance to hear the winner of that year’s competition; Russian pianist Yulianna Avdeeva. She appears, suitably, in an all-Chopin program. Ballade No. 1 and Scherzo No. 2 are the big pieces here, the concert being filled out with three Mazurkas and two Nocturnes. The 28-year-old Avdeeva is said to be a highly technical pianist, attentive to the score; in other words, the sort of pianist that scholars (and competition judges) like. She looks set for a big career, and she certainly has some slick advertising behind her, something sadly rare in classical music. Attend and decide for yourself whether she is one of the great pianists of the future. Opera fans, I’m doing you a service this month. Yutaka Sado, artistic director and advisor of the Hyogo Performing Arts Center and principal conductor of the HPAC Orchestra, is giving a full production of Rossini’s forever sunny opera, The Barber of Seville, for a series of performances at the Hyogo Performing Arts Center in July. Last year’s production of Carmen was wildly popular, so I’m giving you fair warning. Tickets went on sale in February, and they’re very affordable. The opera features a young, all-Japanese (well, almost all-Japanese) cast, and while this won’t be bel canto singing on the level that the biggest international stars offer, it will nevertheless be well worth hearing. Opera is a rare treat in Kansai, and HPAC’s Dai-Hall is a fantastic venue. If you’re interested, purchase tickets now. They will all be gone by July. You’re welcome.

March 15, 17

March 24

March 31

July

Celine Moinet (oboe), HPAC Orchestra, Tatsuya Shimono (con.)

Clara-Jumi Kang (vio), Kyoto Symphony Orchestra, Junichi Hirokami (con.)

Yulianna Avdeeva plays Chopin

The Barber of Seville

Hyogo Performing Arts Center

Time: 3pm A = ¥4,000 B = ¥3,000 Tel: 0798-68-0255 Access: JR Hyogo Station www1.gcenter-hyogo.jp

Kyoto Concert Hall

Time: 2:30pm S = ¥4,500 A = ¥4,000 B = ¥3,500 P (behind the stage) = ¥2,500 Tel: 075-711-3231 Access: Kitayama subway station (on the Karasuma line), three minute walk from exit 1 www.kyoto-symphony.jp

The Symphony Hall, Osaka

Time: 2pm A = ¥7,000 B = ¥5,000 C = ¥3,000 Tel: 06-6453-6000 Access: JR loop line Fukushima Station or Oyodo-minami-1-chome bus stop http://asahi.co.jp/symphony

Hyogo Performing Arts Center

July 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 19, 20, 21 Time: 2pm A = ¥12,000 B = ¥9,000 C = ¥7,000 D = ¥5,000 E = ¥3,000 Tel: 0798-68-0255 www1.gcenter-hyogo.jp

Kansai Scene magazine MARCH 2013 kansaiscene.com

Mar 26

Apr 10

Mar 25

Steve Kimock

Wilco

Grimes

We mean it as a compliment when we say that US guitarist Steve Kimock has been about a bit. Falling into the genre of psychedelic rock, Kimock has been on the music scene since 1974 and has been connected with a number of Grateful Dead associated acts, such as Heart of Gold (1979-80), Bob Weir’s Kingfish (1986), Vince Welmick’s Missing Man Formation (1996-97), the Rhythm Devils (2006) and Ratdog (2007). Kimock’s current touring band includes keyboardist Bernie Worrell (Parliament Funkadelic, Talking Heads), drummer Wally Ingram (Sheryl Crow, David Lindley) and bassist Andy Hess (Black Crows). Kimock returns to Japan after a memorable performance at last year’s Fuji Rock Festival.

Since forming in 1994 from the remnants of the alternative country band Uncle Tupelo, Wilco have had a number of lineup changes, with singer Jeff Tweedy and bassist John Stirratt the only original members. The band have been given many labels including indie rock, alternative rock, folk rock, experimental and alternative country. Being dropped by their record label in 2001 (after it was decided the album Yankee Hotel Foxtrott was not commercial enough) turned out to be a blessing in disguise for the group. They left with the masters, which they then streamed online before signing to Nonesuch Records and then touring with REM. The album to date is the band’s bestseller and was named by Q Magazine as one of the best albums of all time.

Claire Boucher, a native of Vancouver now known simply as ‘Grimes’, debuted in 2010 with the album Geidi Primes. Last year saw the release of her third album, Vision, hailed by the New York Times as “one of the most impressive albums of the year”. Grimes takes in influences ranging from electronic to industrial, hip hop and medieval; quite a combination to say the least! Boucher describes this eclectic mix of genres as making “ADD music” (possibly in reference to a lack of attention to any particular style). This impossible task of genre classification led one critic to comment, “By sounding a little like everything you’ve ever heard, the whole sounds like nothing you’ve ever heard.”

Experimental US classic rock guitarist.

US alternative-folk rock six-piece

director • Club Quattro, Osaka • Mar 25

Club Quattro, Osaka • Mar 26 • Rock •

Namba Hatch, Osaka • Apr 10 • Rock •

• Experimental • 7pm • ¥5,500 • Tel: 06-

7:30pm • ¥6,500 • Tel: 06-6311-8111

7pm • ¥7,000/¥7,500 • Tel: 06-6535-5569

6311-81111

Canadian, musician, artist and music video

Live Music Listings March Kirinji

Delain

Rock • 7:30pm • ¥6,500 • Tel: 066311-8111

Akaso, Osaka • Mar 19

Rock • 7pm • ¥6,000 • Tel: 06-78972450

Chara

Pop • 6:30pm • ¥5,775 • Tel: 075351-1321

Lecca

Female Vocal • 7pm • ¥6,300 • Tel: 06-7732-8888

Sadie

Pop • 7pm • ¥5,000 • Tel: 06-63413525

Superfly

Kei Rock • 5pm • ¥4,500/¥5,000 • Tel: 06-6341-4506

Kuricorder

Superfly

Sheena Easton

Taku Taku, Kyoto • Mar 21

Osaka Jo Hall, Osaka • Mar 23–24

World • 7pm • ¥3,500/¥3,800 • Tel: 075-351-1321

Rock • 23rd-5.30pm/24th-4.30pm • ¥6,300/¥7,350 • Tel: 06-7732-8888

Nikiie

Brandy

Grimes

Billboard Live Osaka, Osaka • Mar 21–22

Club Quattro, Osaka • Mar 25

Female Vocal • 7pm • ¥3,000 • Tel: 06-6357-3666

Taku Taku, Kyoto • Mar 15

Namba Hatch, Osaka • Mar 16

Billboard Live Osaka, Osaka • Mar 16 & 18

Pop • 6:30pm/9:30pm • ¥8,300/¥9,800 • Tel: 06-6342-7722

Rufus Wainwright The Imp Hall, Osaka • Mar 18

Singer-songwriter • 7pm • ¥8,500 • Tel: 06-6341-4506

Zepp, Osaka • Mar 26

Zepp, Osaka • Mar 19

RnB • 6:30pm/9:30pm • ¥12,000/¥13,500 • Tel: 06-6342-7722

Experimental • 7pm • ¥5,500 • Tel: 06-6311-81111

Steve Kimnock Club Quattro, Osaka • Mar 26

Charanga Habanera Big Cat, Osaka • Mar 27

Latin • 8:30pm • ¥6,500/¥7,900 • Tel: 075-231-1527

Club Quattro, Osaka • Mar 29

Punkspring 2013 ft Weezer/NOFX/Simple Plan/Lag Wagon Kobe World, Osaka • Mar 30

Kansai Scene magazine MARCH 2013 kansaiscene.com

Live Music Apr 10

Pick

Jim Kweskin And now for something completely different. Jim Kweskin not only plays the guitar and sings but is also an accomplished comb player. Comb? Yes, you read it right. Born in Connecticut, USA, Kweskin and his Jug Band made their debut in 1963 with a lineup consisting of washboard, kazoo and washtub bass players (the group’s musicians were also equally skilled at banjo, mandolin, percussion, guitar and harmonica). And this year for his 50th anniversary reunion tour, Kweskin has brought together veteran musicians Geoff Muldaur, Maria Muldaur and Bill Keith. Keith, an expert banjo player, also

Punk/Rock • 12:30pm • ¥7,900/¥11,000 • Tel: 06-7732-8888

Metal • 7pm • ¥8,000 • Tel: 066245-5389

co-founded the Beacon Banjo Company that produces specialized tuning pegs. Maria Muldaur is probably best known for topping the charts in 1974 with Midnight at the Oasis. Of Geoff Muldaur, British folk-rocker Richard Thompson says: “There are only three white blues singers and Geoff Muldaur is at least two of them.” 50th anniversary tour of the Jug Band • Big Cat, Osaka • Apr 10 • Folk • 7:30pm • ¥4,000/¥8,000 • Tel: 06-6258-5008

Kirinji Zepp, Osaka • Apr 5

Kei Rock • 7pm • ¥5,700 • Tel: 066357-4400

Pop • 6:30pm • ¥6,300 • Tel: 067732-8888

Laurence Juber

Guitar-vocal • 6pm • ¥4,000/¥4,500 • Tel: 075-351-1321

TRF

Beatles Tribute • 6pm • ¥6,300 • Tel: 075-351-1321

April

Pop-dance • 4:30pm • ¥6,900 • Tel: 06-7732-8888

Glay

Wilco

Kei Rock • 13th-5pm/14th-4pm • ¥7,350 • Tel: 06-6341-3525

Mushu Kamayatsu Taku Taku, Kyoto • Mar 31

Zepp, Osaka • Apr 7

Eddi Reader Billboard Live Osaka, Osaka • Apr 1

White Ash

Singer-songwriter • 6:30pm/9:30pm • ¥6,300/¥7,800 • Tel: 06-6342-7722

White Ash

PiL

Namba Hatch, Osaka • Apr 10

Taku Taku, Kyoto • Apr 13

Osaka Jo Hall, Osaka • Apr 13–14

Rock • 7pm • ¥7,000/¥7,500 • Tel: 06-6535-5569

Exile

Rock • 7:30pm • ¥3,000 • Tel: 066882-1224

Jim Kweskin

Vocal group • 6:30pm • ¥9,500 • Tel: 06-6357-4400

Punk • 7:30pm • ¥7,500/¥8,500 • Tel: 06-7732-8888

5th Element Will

Folk • 7:30pm • ¥4,000/¥8,000 • Tel: 06-6258-5008

44Magnum

Blues Rock • 6pm (7pm-4th) • ¥4,000/¥4,500 • Tel: 075-351-1321

Namba Hatch, Osaka • Apr 3

Muse, Osaka • Apr 4

Club Quattro, Osaka • Apr 4

Taku Taku, Kyoto • Apr 4–7

Big Cat, Osaka • Apr 10

Dir En Grey Namba Hatch, Osaka • Apr 11–12

Kyocera Dome, Osaka • Apr 16–17

Find more listings online at: www.kansaiscene.com/listings

Kansai Scene magazine MARCH 2013 kansaiscene.com

Kansai Business Finder Wining & Dining Absinthe Mediterranean Restaurant Cafe/Bar

Nishi-ku, Kita-horie 1-2-27 South Yotsubashi Bldg. 1F Osaka Tel: 06-6534-6635 Url: www.absinthe-jp.com

Asbinthe Solaar Roof Top Restaurant Cafe Bar & Beer Garden

Chuo-ku, Namba 5-1-18 Namba Dining Maison 8F Osaka Tel: 06-6633-1445 Url: www.absinthe-jp.com/absinthesolaar

Himalaya Indian Restaurant

Kita-ku, Umeda 1-2, Osaka Ekimae, Dai-2 Bldg. B1 Osaka Tel: 06-6545-6116 Url: www.meera.jp/en/himalaya

Meera Indian Restaurant

Chinese Cafe Eight

Osaka YWCA

TNT-PC

Chinese Cuisine

Global Network of Women

English PC Support

Chuo-ku, Soemon-cho 7-2 Luz Shinsaibashi 5F Osaka Tel: 06-6125-5338 Url: www.chinesecafe8.com

Kita-ku, Kamiyama-cho 11-12 Osaka Tel: 06-6361-0838 Url: www.osaka.ywca.or.jp

Nishinomiya-shi, Maruhashi-cho 6-8-1F Nishinomiya Tel: 0798-65-7555 Url: www.tnt-pc.com

Dublin Bay

Arthur Murray Dance School

Miyabi Int’l Gyoseishoshi Law Firm

Dance Studio

VISA Lawyers in Osaka

Chuo-ku, Minami-senba 3-5-28 Osaka Tel: 06-6245-1731 Url: www.arthurmurray.co.jp

Kita-ku, Nishitenma 1-8-9 Viequ tower #2406 Osaka Tel: 06-4981-7439

Irish Pub

Chuo-ku, Dotonbori 2-1-5-B1 Osaka Tel: 06-6213-1122 Url: www.irishpub-dublinbay.com

Zerro The Place to be...

Chuo-ku, Shinsaibashi-suji 2-3-2, Queen’s Court Bldg 1F Osaka Tel: 06-6211-0439

The Blarney Stone Shinsaibashi The Irish Pub in the Heart of Osaka

Chuo-ku, Higashi-Shinsaibashi 2-527 Kohda Bldg B1F Osaka Tel: 06-6484-2220 Url: www.the-blarney-stone.com

Kita-ku, Umeda 1-3-1, Osaka Ekimae, Dai-1 Bldg. B2 Osaka Tel: 06-6348-0134 Url: www.meera.jp/en/

The Blarney Stone Umeda

Outback Steakhouse

Kita-ku, Sonezaki 2-10-15 Sonezaki Center Bldg. 6F Osaka Tel: 06-6364-2001 Url: www.the-blarney-stone.com

Australian Themed Steakhouse

Kita-ku, Umeda 2-1-24 Shinsakurabashi Bldg. 1F Osaka Tel: 06-6457-7121 Url: www.outbacksteakhouse.co.jp

Murphy’s Irish Pub First Irish Pub in Japan

Chuo-ku, Higashi-shinsaibashi 1-631 Lead plaza 6F Osaka Tel: 06-6282-0677 Url: www.murphysosaka.com

Fubar Restaurant and Bar

Chuo-ku, Shinsaibashi-suji 1-5-22F Osaka Tel: 06-6245-3757 Url: www.fubarosaka.com

Captain Kangaroo Food, Sports & Rock ‘n’ Roll

Kita-ku, Sonezaki-shinchi 1-5-20 Okawa Bldg. 1F Osaka Tel: 06-6346-0367 Url: www.roo-bar.jp

Chedi Luang Horie Traditional Thai food

Nishi-ku, Kita-horie 1-7-11 Osaka Tel: 06-6535-1515 Url: www.chedi.jp

> for maps see kansaiscene.com/business-finder

The Irish Pub in the Heart of Osaka

Coolabah Sports Cafe

Chuo-ku, Nishi-shinsaibashi 2-1613, Housen Bldg. 1F Osaka Tel: 06-6213-5153 Url: www.coolabah.jp

Ali’s Kitchen Pakistani & Arabic Cuisine

Chuo-ku, Shinsaibashi-suji 1-10-12B1 Osaka Tel: 06-6553-2292 Url: www.aliskitchen.jp

Trois Dix Macrobiotic & slow food restaurant

Nishi-ku, Kitahorie 1-22-4 Osaka Tel: 06-6648-8336 Url: http://locoplace.jp/t000094365/

Marga Language Service Japanese Language School

Chuo-ku, Onoe-dori 5-1-27-8F Kobe Tel: 078-271-6446 Url: www.marga.jp

Doshisha Business School Discover the Doshisha Global MBA

Doshisha University Karasuma-Imadegawa, Kamigyoku Kyoto Tel: 075-251-4600 Url: gmba.doshisha.ac.jp

Futaba Language School Japanese Classes in Shinsaibashi

Chuo-ku, Minamisenba 4-10-201101 Osaka Tel: 06-6244-2528 Url: www.futaba-japanese.com

Osaka Abacus Association Let’s learn Abacus!

Minatoku, Yunagi 2-13-7 Osaka Tel: 06-6572-6877 Url: https://sites.google.com/site/ osakasoroban/

Shops & Services Mojoprint Full Color Printing

Education

Nishi-ku, Shinmachi 3-5-7, Eiko Bldg. 2F Osaka Tel: 06-6539-1717 Url: www.mojoprint.jp

Kobe YWCA

Brastel Remit

Global Network of Women

Send money overseas

Chuo-ku, Ninomiya-cho 1-12-10 Kobe Tel: 078-231-6201 Url: www.kobe.ywca.or.jp

Sumida-ku, Yokoami 2-6-2 Tokyo Tel: 0120-983-891 / 03-6869-4851 Url: www.brastelremit.jp

Yoshimoto Tax Services Tax Services for English speakers

Amagasaki-shi Tsukaguchi-cho 6-8-6-203 Hyogo Tel: 06-6421-3318 Url: http://yoshimotokaikei.tkcnf. com

Yuko Tamaki Accounting Office Accounting & Tax Services

Chuo-ku, Tanimachi 1-7-3-8F, Osaka Tel: 06-6809-1955 Url: www12.plala.or.jp/ytaccounting/ indexeng.html

International Solution Group Investments, Real Estate, Taxes US and Japanese

Chuo-ku, Tanimachi 1-3-17 suite 1001 Osaka Tel: 06-6949-0144 Email: kansai@isgjapan.com

Kyokushin Karate Osakacentral Branch Dojo Karate classes (Mon.20:00-,Thu.20:00-,Sat.19:00-)

Kita-Ku, Tenma 2-2-17 Nakano Bldg. 1F Osaka Tel: 090-4762-0016 Email: http://osakachuo.blogspot.jp

Creamy Kids International Modeling Agency

Kita-ku, Umeda 1-2-2 Osaka Ekimae, Dai-2 Bldg. 2F Osaka Tel: 06-6347-7705 Url: www.pre21.com/creamy

Pakmail Amagasaki We Ship Anything, Anywhere!

Tsugiya 2-2-28 Amagasaki Tel: 06-6492-8950 Url: www.pakmail-ama.com

Pakmail Esaka We Ship Anything, Anywhere!

Suita, Esaka-cho 1-23-17 Osaka Tel: 06-6330-8988 Url: www.pakmail-osaka.com

To list your business in the Kansai Scene Business Finder contact sales@kansaiscene.com for more details.

Kansai Scene magazine MARCH 2013 kansaiscene.com

Sweatshop Union

Travel

T-Shirt Print Shop

Naniwa-ku, Sakuragawa 4-5-19 Osaka Tel: 06-4394-8850 Url: www.sweatshop.jp/eng

Shinmei Law Office Business Lawyer

Kita-ku, Nishi-tenma 4-11-22, Hanshin-shinmei Bldg. 501 Osaka Tel: 06-6362-8013 Url: www.shinmei-law.com/e

Exeo International International Dating Parties

Kita-ku, Umeda 1-1-3-3F Sky Lounge Mariage Osaka Tel: 050-5810-3977 Url: www.exeo-international.com

ACCJ Kansai American Chamber of Commerce in Japan

Kita-ku, Dojima-hama 1-1-8, Dojima Park Bldg. 5F Osaka Tel: 06-6345-9880 Url: www.accj.or.jp

Mayflower House Guesthouse

World Express Kobe’s Popular Travel Agency

Chuo-ku, Kotonoo-cho 5-3-5, Green Chapeau Bldg. 104 Kobe Tel: 078-222-5050 Url: www.wexp.co.jp

GS Travel Best Fares in Osaka

Chuo-ku, Higashi-Shinsaibashi 1-13-21, Wadayoshi Bldg 302 Osaka Tel: 06-6281-1230 Url: www.gs-travel.com/en

H.I.S. • No.1 Travel We go the extra mile for you

Kita-ku, Umeda 3-4-5, MainichiIntecio 15F Osaka Tel: 06-6133-0273 Url: www.no1.his-west.jp

Real Estate & Accommodation Takani Co. Ltd. Total Solution for House-hunting

Yodogawa-ku, Nishimiyahara 2-335 Osaka Tel: 06-6396-6770

Chuo-ku, Izumi-machi 2-1-15 Osaka Tel: 0120-881-456 Url: www.osaka-mayflowerguesthouse.com/en

Oriental Process Apartments for Rent

Ikuno-ku, Tsuruhashi 1-1-36 Osaka Tel: 080-1422-4679 Url: www.orientalprocess.com

Entrance Japan

Asashi-ku, Shinmori 2-1-26 Osaka Tel: 06-6951-9701 Url: www.ishida-clinic.jp/en

Hair Art & Make up BOY Hair and Make Up

Chuo-ku, Higashi-Shinsaibashi 1-2-23-5F Osaka Tel: 06-6252-7630 Url: www6.ocn.ne.jp/~boy

Oriental Dental Clinic English Speaking Dentist

Kita-ku, Shibata 1-14-8-9F Osaka Tel: 06-6136-3330 Url: www.entrance-japan.com

Chuo-ku, Nakayamate-dori 3-4-7, Oriental Medical Dental Bldg. 4F Osaka Tel: 078-321-2717 Url: www.oriental-shika.com

TOA

K Studio New York

Furnished / Non-Furnished lofts for rent

English Speaking Beauty Salon

Shared houses across Osaka

Nishiyodogawa-ku, Tsukuda 1-1-36 Osaka Tel: 06-6471-8136 Url: http://passage.sunnyday.jp

Health & Beauty Ishida Women’s Clinic Women’s Health Care in Osaka

Kita-ku, Toyosaki 5-2-22-2F Osaka Tel: 06-6371-9033 Url: www.ksny.jp

Interaction Hair Stylish cuts to suit you and your lifestyle

Nishi-ku, Minami-Horie 1-14-12201 Osaka Tel: 06-7501-7313 Url: www.in-hair.jp

Kansai Scene magazine MARCH 2013 kansaiscene.com

Kansai Scene Classifieds Place your own ad online at kansaiscene.com/classifieds Please note: Kansai Scene is not responsible for the content of communications made through either printed or online classified ads.

Employment > Education English teacher needed for Sat class We are currently

looking for an enthusiastic English Native Teachers, one teacher for Mon-Fri (1) and another teacher for Saturday School(2). Enfants age from 1-6 y.o./ .The ideal teacher should be enthusiastic, pacient and flexible. Hours:(1)9-18 (2)9-17 Salary: from 1500/h negotiable. Roger: info@clio-ips.com http:// www.clio-ips.com P/T native English teachers needed P/T

experienced teachers needed in a school in Senrioka for adult and kids classes on Tue and Fri.Located right next to JR Senrioka and 10 mins from Hankyu Settsu-shi. We're looking for someone reliable and motivated, who takes their work seriously.¥1,500~2,200/h + trans. Please send your CV Kelly: abies_kids@yahoo.co.jp

SHIN OSAKA and KYOTO

NURSERY SCHOOL TEACHERS NATIVE ENGLISH TEACHERS FOR NURSERY SCHOOLS. KYOTO P/T 20 hr/w M-F 0-2 yr/o Mid March 193K/mo. SHIN OSAKA F/T 30 hr/w 0-5 yr/o Mid March 290K/mo. BOTH + benefits. Big sister atmosphere. Need experience w/young children & some Jap req. MUST HAVE SUITABLE VISA. SEND resume/ pic. email: score@gol.com English native teacher needed at Kobe Sannomiya area

We are looking for a native English teacher (part time). Location: Kobe, Sannomiya Motomachi area. 5 minute walk from JR Motomachi station. 2200 yens per hour to start with. Japanese (at least intermediate level) is required. Friendly and professional environment. Please send us your CV! Marilu Yamagata: amista.english@gmail.com http:// amista-english.com/

Part-Time Instructor School with sites in Suita and

Ibaraki needs a part-time teacher for preschool (ages 2-6) Fridays 10-3 and kid-adult classes Thursday afternoons to start. Expansion of hours possible. 2200/hr + trans.

Resume and photo to contact email rainbowlearningcentre@yahoo.ca http://www.8107.net/rainbow/

on exp. level and performance. Jonathan Kim: jon.kim@7sis.jp

gaikokugolesson.com/ Ayumi Hattori: hattori@mirugate.co.jp

FULL TIME Native English

PT ENGLISH/FRENCH TEACHERS School in Ashiya/

Teacher needed. FULL TIME Native English Teacher needed. Adults & Kids in Abeno. Training/ Visa provided. 5 Days/Wk. ¥2200/Hr + Trans. Univ. Degree/ North American preferred. Good conditions-No B.S. Start Mar/Apr. Send resume and photo to: englishi2i@nike.eonet.ne.jp http://www. i2i-english.com/

Native English Teacher Recruitment For Children

Okamoto is looking for FT/PT English and French teachers ASAP. University diploma is preferable. Must be native speaker with valid visa. Payment: 2700-3000 yen per hour and transportation. Contact us by email: ashiyaplus@hotmail.co.jp SATURDAY TEACHERS REQUIRED Native teachers

Native English Teacher in

required to teach English to elementary school kids on Saturdays. Hours 9am - 4pm (Including Break). Location 15 mins from Namba. Please send CV and cover letter to isesjapan@eircom.net and cc to sak-ises@isesjapan.com . Fun and friendly environment.

Kobe P/T Native English teacher needed for kids in north Kobe from April. Mondays pm3:00-7:00 (4 hs) Thursdays p.m.3:30-7:30 (4hs) Pay 3000yen /h +trans. Please sendyour C.V. to sweetysachi@msn.com http://www.starkids.jp

Kindergarten English Teacher Wanted Senshin

We are looking for a cheerful, loud & energetic teacher for young children. Class times are 11:001:30 (3classes) Location Makino, Hirakata-city. Trans fee will be covered up to 1,000 yen/d. If you have experience to work at int'l schools you will be more welcome. contact: impact_rb@i.softbank.jp http://impact-flare.com/

Gakuen Kindergarten seeks F/T teachers. Must: -currently reside in Japan (South Osaka) -be a native English speaker with a 4 year degree -LOVE kids! -have a valid working visa Send cover letter and resume to: FAX 0736-37-2237 EMAIL international@senshin.ed.jp 有限会社スミス英会話スクールスタッフ募集勤務開始:2013年4月~(相談可) 資格: 高卒以上、22歳以上の方勤務時間: 平日13:00~22:00、土曜 13:00~19:00 給与: 月給180,000円以上時給: 1,000円以上勤務地: スミス英会話京橋校応募方法: recruit-smith@

sse-franchise.com

Part-Time Native English Teacher Entry level native

English teacher for adults only English school. ¥10,000 per day (8 hours) plus transport. Experience not necessary but a great attitude and a desire to learn are. Strong potential to turn into a full-time position for the right person. Send CV and photo to: info@sunrises.jp 1-2 PT Eikaiwa Teachers

Needed 1800-2000/hr DOE, 3hrs/ week min. guaranteed, travel pay up to 1500/day. Mon/Thur/Sat evenings (4pm-9pm) preferred. Position starts in Mar/Apr. Osaka-Uehonmachi station. Experience and Japanese ability preferred. Email for more information. Please send resume, photo and short introduction to apply. Heather Hanson: universegakuin@hotmail.co.jp http://www. universe-gakuin.com/index.html Int'l Pre-K/Kinder position (Osaka - Uehommachi)

Int'l. Pre-K/Kinder (OsakaUehommachi) seeking an enthusiastic professional English teacher. Ages: 2-6 y/o English: Native level Must love teaching English to children/classroom management skills 3+ years of experience Mon~Fri 9:00~14:00(45h) 2000~2500yen/h depending

Eng teacher for Saturday

NATIVE ENGLISH TEACHER WANTED in Osaka Native

English Teacher wanted to teach kids(age6-8) of after school ASAP or in March. Near Minami-morimachi station. M-F 3:30pm-6:30pm. Teaching hr is 2hrs only. Another 1hr is spend time with kids. 15002000yen/hr + transportation.Please send recent photo and resume to info@manabiokids.com http://www. manabiokids.com

Full-time Preschool Instructor in Nishinomiya,

Hyogo F/T Native teacher to teach preschool students, develop curriculum, and organize annual cultural events. Salary: ¥265,000 + transport. M-F 10am - 6pm. Must have BA, teaching exp., and valid work visa. Pls send resume, cover letter & teaching reference letter + contact info to janetyuen@riele.org http://www.riele.org/ Kansai Corporate Classes CES is seeking professional,

experienced English instructors for p/t and semi-f/t corporate classes and Intensives in Kobe, Osaka, Shiga, Kyoto from March/ April 2013. P/t hourly rates 3,5004,500 yen per hour. For further information, please forward resume with availability to mark@cesjapan. co.jp English Teachers Needed! Teach English in your FREE

TIME at cafes! Payment 3,000 yen / hr OR 4,500yen / 90 mins Basic Japanese comprehension and valid visa required. University diploma is preferable. Registration is FREE from here. http://www.

in Osaka Sakai city From 1 time 3 times per week. Students:2 to 4-year-old children. Time:9:30am2:30pm. Salary:1500-2000 yen per hour. If you are kind,bright and love children,please contact us. Please send resume to info@vacation-es. co.jp We are looking forward to seeing you. http://www.vacation-es.jp

COMPANY CLASS TEACHER Experienced native teacher for

3 classes in 2 Wednesday mornings per month. Time: 9:00am 12:00pm. Location: near Tanimachi 4-chome. Pay: 2500 Yen/h plus transportation. Curriculum: Beginner level of business English. Please send CV with photo to NANNO & COMPANY via email: recruit121@nanno.biz

A laid-back school is

seeking ALT A laid back school in Miyakojima Osaka is seeking parttime English native ALT for Mon. 15:40-22:20 and Thurs.16:20-18:10. ¥1800-2000/60mins. The job starts 21st, Mar. Also seeking a Spanish native ALT. email: info@acez.main. jp with a picture is a must. Native English Teacher & 受付スタッフ PT Native English

teacher from April 2nd for Kids and adults. Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri evenings and Saturday afternoons. 12 classes per week. ¥96,168 per month plus transport. See website. 受付スタッフ

募集火〜土曜日勤務英語が好きで話せる方。時給850円〜交通費支給あり週1回無料レッスン受講可詳しくウェブサイトをご覧下さい。Modern

English: info@modernenglish.net http://www.modernenglish.net/ recruitment/vacancies.php Sunshine Kids English is

looking for enthusiastic, energetic English teachers for p/t and f/t work in the Osaka area. Variable pay schemes available for those interested in business development, or starting a school. Applicants must be of native English level and have a proper visa. Please email resume and cover letter. Sunshine Kids: Info@sunshine-kids.com http:// www.sunshine-kids.com Kids’ English school DoEng! is looking for an English

language instructor (native English speakers, part-time) ¥2000/hr (during training period ¥1600/ hr) Working hours determined upon advice from within 2-9pm (M-F) and 10am-5pm (Sat) Transport expenses: reimbursed. @Nishinomiya, 3 minutes walk from Hanshin Koroen St. Send inquiries via e-mail. Please attach resume, photo & brief intro: sato@ ibsolution.co.jp

F/T NATIVE ENGLISH TEACHER

¥250,000~ ¥290,000/mth. Teaching

Kansai Scene magazine MARCH 2013 kansaiscene.com

children (3yrs~) & adults, Mon ~ Fri. School is west from Kobe. REQUIREMENTS: Experience teaching PHONICS (eg. New Finding Out), approp visa valid 1 yr or more, experience teaching kids & adults in Japan at least 3yrs, Japanese ability. Pls Email for details. Manager: bluegum-english@ ac.auone-net.jp Japanese staff, English part time teacher 日本人スタッ

フ、講師募集 We are looking for a

Japanese staff / teacher and English part time teacher for kids and adult in Ibarakishi and Suita. 5 days a week. Please call 072-6379899 or send your resume to royalenglish725@gmail.com Royal English School 日本人スタッフ、講師、週5日で入れる方、募集中 Teaching/Sales Position Seeking 2-3 new PT teachers

for high energy teaching/sales position for spring campaign. We have a system to maximize your time. Competitive salary. Must possess working visa. Resume to michaelsenglishschool@gmail.com by Mar 12 midnight. Interviews Mar 15 & 16 in Tennoji. Decisions on Mar 17th.

Saturday Native English Teacher (Kyoto) The SEED

Cezars now. we are looking for P/T staff to work in our Kitchen at Canadian Academy Kobe. Experience not neccesary, Training provided Weekends are off. email for details. Vince bornino: vince@ cezarskitchen.com Bilingual JP Assistant Established English language

institute seeking high-energy, 21-33yrs, Japanese bilingual secretarial staff for well-paid PT assistant position. Must have sales experience. Send resume to michaelsenglishschool@gmail.com by Mar 12 midnight. Interviews Mar 15 & 16 in Tennoji. Decision on Mar 17th. Sales Position Eikaiwa seeking 2 foreign female sales

staff for spring campaign. Must have basic Japanese skills. Russian, French or Spanish a plus. 3 shifts/ week, 3 hours/shift. Avg4000 yen/h. Resume to michaelsenglishschool@ gmail.com by Mar 12 midnight. Interviews Mar 15 & 16 in Tennoji. Decisions Mar 17th.

For Rent Bentencho and Osakako, Osaka CIty apartments available

Program in Kyoto is looking for an experienced Native English Teacher for an exciting Elementary School Saturday Program starting in April. Salary is ¥20,000 per Saturday. Please e-mail a resume, cover letter and a picture to Mr. Poehlman to be considered (englishinosaka@ hotmail.com) http://www.seibo. ed.jp/kyoto-es/seed/goaisatsu.html

6min walk from Bentencho subway & JR Loopline stations 1R semi furnished ¥55000/month 1DK fully furnished ¥65000/month 2DK unfurnished ¥70000/month 2LDK unfurnished ¥90000/month No Key money, guarantors, No agency fees, 3mon min. stay required. Alex 09037030314 alex@ abhousingosaka.com http://www. abhousingosaka.com

> General

Bentencho Apartments Available from 65000yen/

外国人ナイトクラブ女性スタッフ募集ナイトクラブ女性スタッフ18才以上の方募集。勤務地:布施、勤務時間:20:00~25:00(時間や曜日は相談可•帰りは送りがあります•日祝休)。時給1500円以上。新しいお店で一緒に始めませんか?外国人スタッフを募集しております。いつでも連絡下さい。履歴書と写真をお送り下さい。仕事終了後の送り有。Kikaku111@hotmail. co.jp TEL06-6781-2116 携帯080-

6188-3645

PART-TIME: Nightclub Hostess スタッフ募集 Looking

for Female hostess staff. Nightclub will offer English-only service. Basic Japanese ability & proper visa required. Will provide transportation after shift ends. ¥1500/hr ~ please call 06-67812116 / 080-6188-3645 Kikaku111@ hotmail.co.jp Let's talk in English with customers!

P/T Kitchen Staff on Rokko

Island Kobe Cezars Kitchen in Kobe is looking for you! Do you enjoy a fast passed short shift, in a friendly atmosphere with perks? Then join

month fully furnished 1DK 65000yen/month fully furnished. 2DK 80000yen/month fully furnished. 2DK 75000yen/month unfurnished. 2LDK 90000yen/ month unfurnished. 6min walk to Bentencho station (subway and JR Loopline) Alex 09037030314 alex@abhousingosaka.com http:// www.abhousingosaka.com

NO KEY MONEY/DEPOSIT/ AGENCY FEE NEEDED!!!

Bentencho 1R(13m2): 35,000yen, 5mins to Bentencho stn on JR Loop Line and Chuo Line(subway), 10mins to get to Umeda by JR,very convenient area, furnished or unfurnished, available ASAP!!! www.3chousingosaka. jimdo.com for pics or contact: originalsoken@gmail.com http:// www.3chousingosaka.jimdo.com

KOBE APARTMENTS: Semifurnished spacious

apartments available. No key money, no agency fee. Refundable deposit 2 mnths rent. HANKYU OJIKOEN 51sqm 98,000, Convenient. HANKYU ROKKO 98,000 63sqm.

Views. MIKAGE 98,000 68sqm. Sunny, views, natural. OKAMOTO/ MIKAGE 98,000 63sqm. Views ffeilden@yahoo.co.jp 090-9286-1216

Room/Flat Share Old flat house(Nagaya) 5mins to CHIBUNE station

Hanshin Line. 10 mins to UMEDA. 45 square meter, 3 rooms (tatami 6 jyou each) with kitchen, bath, toilet, 2 closets, front&back yard. You can share with friend.¥65,000 no agency fee. sumiko.morimoto@gmail.com

Courses and Classes Yamamoto Miki Handicraft School Make original items

-bags, pouches & sewing kits, using ribbons, beads, lace... How about children's start of school kits? Bring clothes to repair/renovate. ¥2000/2hr class. 10am-9pm M-F, 1-5pm Sat. Pls bk 090-8797-5725 miki-y.tg7@docomo.ne.jp Everyone is welcome!

JAZZ-DANCE & POLE-DANCE LESSONS Jazz-dance lessons,

pole-dance lessons. Everyone is welcome! lessons on English and basic Japanese. darkangel.dance@ hotmail.com English Group Lesson Hi. A small group of high level

students meets every Saturday from 2:00 to 5:00. Serious but relaxed atmosphere at Japanese lawyer's office near the American consulate in Umeda. American teacher. 2000 yen per week. Contact Vincent at usavincent@yahoo.com.

Chat lesson Chat English

lesson. Do you like chatting? I do! British experienced teacher. Meet coffee shop. Osaka. Kobe. Ashiya. 1 hour 1,500yen. Ashiya classroom lesson also available. Please mail Andy heathyrise@yahoo.com Thank You!

Events FREE ABACUS CLASS for

FOREIGNERS FREE ABACUS CLASS for FOREIGNERS offered by O.C.C.I. and Osaka Abacus Assoc. to promote int'l goodwill. Individualized lessons taught in Japanese or English. Saturdays 10-12 am. Course material provided for free. Near Sakaisuji-Hommachi and Kitahama. Call: Moritomo Ken 066572-6877 https://sites.google.com/ site/osakasoroban/ Global MBA Program at

Doshisha Business School in Kyoto Interested in learning more about the Global MBA at Doshisha Business School? If so, please join us on February 19th at our satellite

campus in Umeda. This information session will provide a detailed overview of the program and funding opportunities. Register for the event here: http://bit.ly/XRESr0 ji-gmba@mail.doshisha.ac.jp

Announcements Bilingual Christian Church near Utsubo Park

Come check out a bilingual church service near Utsubo Park! Starts at 11:00am every Sunday. Doors open at 10:40am. Everyone is welcome! Please see website for directions and details. Mustard Seed Christian Church: info@mustardseedosaka. com http://www.mustardseedosaka. com

Let's play basketball in Nara! Let's have fun and play

BASKETBALL on Wednesday evenings from 7-9 pm in a gym in Nara. All levels welcome. Please e-mail me at ray.santos@yahoo.com for more details. Join us for some good exercise

Pets Cats need help urgently in Inawashiro Urgent help needed for Japan Cat Network! Make the trip to beautiful snowy Fukushima-ken and help walk dogs and care for cats! You can even stay over. Your help is needed IMMEDIATELY! Get in touch! media@japancatnet.com http://japancatnet.com

Other Wanted: Japanese learning books Looking for Japanese

learning books (JLPT, Minna no Nihongo,etc) to be re-used by Japanese learners in developing country/ies. If you do not need them, make them useful. Dan: compljnk@yahoo.co.jp

Free Giveaways Japanese textbooks and books Giving away

some textbooks like: Genki 1 & 2, J-Bridge, JLPT N3: Reading Comprehension, Japanese writing practice and topics, and so on. Send me e-mail for the full list and more information. Veronica: vcinephile@ yahoo.com

Sorry… Due to space restrictions we are unable to print all classified ads. See kansaiscene.com for more classifieds online!

Umeda

Bank

Post Office

Entrance Japan

Cine Libre Umeda 3F

Theater Umeda

ARC 6F Umeda Sky Building

35F German Umeda 4F Consulate Garden Cinema Westin Hotel

Yodobashi Camera

JR Osaka Sta.

Mitsukoshi Isetan

Hospital

Church

Hotel

Shrine

Loft Maruzen & Junkudo Club Noon

Hankyu Umeda Kinokuniya Sta. Ings New Hankyu Toho Hotel Annex Hep 5 Hep Navio

Ume

Lucua

Police Station

Osaka YWCA

Hotel Kinki

Hanky

Ogimachi Park

de ri Arca

shido

u Higa

Navio Toho Plex

Hankyu Dept.

Movie Theatre

i-c

z ka

Temple

Nishi Umeda

Shin Midosuji

a med

hi U

s Higa

Ogimachi Dori Lagunaveil Sonezaki Daimaru Premier Visitors’ Police H.Q. Float Information Court ta. Umeda Center aS Piccadilly ed Hotel Asahiya Um Hanshin n Dept. i Granvia Bookstore h s n Hilton Ha E-ma 6F Plaza West Hotel Hilton Umeda Kansai Blarney Hotel Burg7 Stone Maru Bldg. Herbis Chedi Bldg #4 Ent Luang Tower 5F Records Outback Bldg #1 Bldg #2 Bldg #3 Steakhouse 33F Creamy 2F B1 Exeo Breeze Himalaya Herbis Breeze Kita Shinchi Ritz Tanimachi Lin Osaka .2 e Carlton No 1F Capt. Kangaroo ute 5F 3F o Switch R Shinmei No.1 Travel Law Office 1F Mister Kelly’s Dojima Avanza US 4F Junkudo Consulate

Kita Shinchi Ana Crown Plaza

NTT Data

e ana Lin Keih noshim Naka

Nishi Tenma

Hanshin Expresswa y(Loop R ou te) N

Oebashi Bank of Japan

i bebash Watana

akanoshi

City Hall

ma Dori

24F Na

niw

Tosabori River

YMCA

iha

Kitahama

Ostec Exhibition Hall

The Tag Free Space Studio 0

Miyabi Int’l Law Firm

sen

line

Naniwabashi/kitahama

Utsubo Park

Chedi Luang Yodoyabashi

Edobori

Mitsui Sumitomo Bank

Yodoyabashi

National Museum of Art

ashi Lin Yotsub hi s Higoba

r ive aR a jim him NTT o D os an k Na Rihga Royal Hotel

Dojima

ji Li

osu

Mid

e Lin ain n M a Sta. i h ns e Ha ushim Lin Fuk zai

200m

Shinsaibashi/Namba

Bank

Post Office

Police Station

Hospital

Church

Hotel

Shrine

Temple

Movie Theatre

Futaba Language School

Mizuho Bank

Crysta (underground shopping) Nagahori dori

Nagahori tsurumi-ryokuchi line Nagahoribashi

Ali’s Kitchen

Kitahorie Hospital

KitaHorie

Cafe

line

Interaction Hair Design

Tezukayama Gallery

Onzieme

Sankaku Cinem 11F Koen @rt Triangle Apple Store Drop Clapper Fanj twice Lunar Grand Club Cafe Azul

DDD

Coolabah

river Gastro Garden on the 7th

Namba Hatch Tominaga Hospital

Nam

Junkudo

a St

amb

OCAT

JR N

Hotel Monterey

Inari Motomachi

Spotaka

Uniqlo

5F Boy

Murphy’s

The Blarney Stone

Suomachi-dori(europ Roy’s Studio Bar

Higashi- B1 Shinsaibashi 1F Zerro

SoemonHotel B1 Pure Osaka Cho Metro the 21

Chinese Cafe Eight

Charcoal

Lapichu

Hotel T’point

Dublin Bay / Dublin Garden

Nam Namba Sta.ba 2F

GS Travel

Fubar

Daimaru Dept. South

Cross Hotel

Shinsaibashi 3F

Daimaru Dept.

Dotonbori

23 mm

OPA Big step

Horie Park

MinamiHorie

Nikko Hotel

1F Absinthe

Yotsubashi

Naniw a-s

uji

Family Mart

Daimaru Dept. North

Midosuji

Troisdix

Yotsubashi

El Pancho

Dotonbori

Sakaisuji

Shinsaibashi

Chedi Luang

Minamisenba

Tokyu Hands

Arthur Murray

Nishiohashi

Shinsaibashi-suji (shopping arcade)

Shinmachi

Kansai Scene Mojoprint Office

Hanshin expressway(loop route) Namba walk (underground) Sennichimae line Nipponbashi bash Kintetsu nara line 5 Namba walk Nippon

Namba

Toho Cinemas Namba Nan-nan Town Swissotel Nankai Osaka

Cine Pop

NipponBashi

Junkudo Tower Records

N 200m

Police Station

wa yl ub

Ikuta jinja

Hotel Monterey Kobe Sauna

Kobe Ikuta Junior High School

JR Motomachi sta.

Tokyu 4F Hands Iznt

Sann

San

Kyukyoryuchi Daimarumae

Minato Bank Mitsui Sumitomo Bank

Starbucks

Sanjo-dori

Movix Kyoto

Sanjo

200m

Wakamatsu-dori

Marui

Keihan Line

Pontocho

Gion Kiraku Inn

-dori kawa Shirakawa river Shira

Gion s hijo

World

Kawaramachi Takashimaya

Kyoto Royal BLDG.

Kiyamachi-dori

ori

Junkudo 7F Bal

-d Kawaramachi

Teramachi Shotengai Shinkyogoku Shotengai Fuji Daimaru

Sanjo

Shijo-dori Minamiza Theatre

Hanamikoji-dori

Mina Shin Kyogoku Cine Lalibe

Sanjo

i Yamatoji-dor

Gokomachi-dori

Fuyacho-dori

Tominokoji-dori

Yanaginobanba-dori

Kyoto Royal Hotel

Hankyu Line

Teramachi Area

Oike-dori

OPA

Daimaru

Kobe City Hall

Shiyakushomae

Jomo Gas

Kawara Machi

Kobe Kokusai Shochiku

Sannomiya Hanadokeimae st.

Hotel Okura

Kyoto City Hall

Tozai Subway Line

Asahi Bank

Flower road

Daimaru Dept.

Kainan lin

Kyoto

Sakaimachi-dori

2F Guild

Subway

Route 2 San Plaza Sannomiya Cine Marui Center Phoenix Center Plaza East Plaza West Junkudo

miya anno JR S Sun City OS Cinemas 7F Junkudo iya Mint Kobe m no San Tower Hotel Tokyu Inn SannomiyaRecords SOGO Dept. Marga 5F Kinokuniya 8F Kobe Kokusai Kaikan 1F HSBC Port liner

Nankin-machi

miya

Sanchika un

Hanshin line

Motomachi

Sansei Hosp.

Midnight World Express Express 5F 3F 1F Caliente 7F Hobgoblin omiya

Trinity 3F

tetsudo Kobe kosoku

Hanakuma Park

a KIC

d Fu

Sh iei Ya ma te s

Hyogo-ken Prefectural Hall

Kobe Grocers

Movie Theatre

Kobe YWCA

1F Bistrot Cafe De Paris

Ikuta Police Station

Oriental Dental Clinic 4F Hotel Tor Road

Temple

ine

Tor Road

Soraku Park

Shrine

Yamamoto-dori

Cafe Terrace De Paris 3F

Pearl Street

Kobe Mosque Kobe Womens St. Michaelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Junior International College School Yamate kansen

Church

Hotel

Kitanozaka

Kitano-cho

Hospital

Bank

Post Office

Hunterzak

Sannomiya

Kyoto Museum of Contemporary Art Gion Hotel

Joko-in 0

200m

Gion Kaikan

N Yasaka Jinja