March 10, 2016 • mccsokinawa.com
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apan is the cute capital of the world. It is dripping with a high-gloss coat of kawaii, and the cute does not discriminate—it coats skyscrapers, businesses, police stations, lunches, cleaning supplies—surpassing all gender and age stereotypes. If it’s not cute, it probably won’t sell. The word for cute, kawaii, refers not just to “cute” but characteristics that make something “cute”: child-like, vulnerable and wide-eyed innocence—something to be protected. No one really knows what started this phenomenon but there are plenty of interesting guesses. Some argue that Japan, along with other Asian countries, have always geared towards the small and cute, citing handmade dolls’ features from the Edo period as an example. But when did it turn into a countrywide craze?
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In the 1970s, school-aged kids, particularly young girls, started a new writing style termed “kitten writing.” A decade later, nearly half of the school children used the expressive and hard-to-read font sprinkled with stars, hearts and characters. It became such a problem that schools banned the style of writing. Interestingly, the writing predates any comic use of the stylized font. Marketing teams—with Sanrio, creator of Hello Kitty, leading the way—picked up the cute style, slapped it on merchandise and “kawaii” took off. It has remained popular ever since, even among adults. And why not? It is hardly a secret how rigorous and stress-inducing school and work-life is in Japan. Perhaps the bubbly, smiley, childish cute whatever is a way to stay
St. Patrick's Day at the Club | 3 How to Celebrate Pi Day | 3 Why Do You Walk Like That? | 5 Japanese Phrase of the Week | 5
young, unwind and escape the harshness of the daily grind. If you’re stepping off a subway train that’s plastered with a warning label starring a stuffed rabbit crying after stubbing their foot in the door, you may crack a smile. Whatever started the cute and whatever kept it here, we are thankful because when it comes to unpleasantries, like homework or commuting, we know we will be encouraged along the way. In this week’s issue we are celebrating all things kawaii. More cultural curiosities? Sign up for one of MCCS’ Marine & Family Programs’ cultural awareness classes through mccsokinawa. com/culturalawareness. —Caylee Reid
Pick of the Week: Gudetama | 7 SMP Volunteer Award | 9 Off-Base Events | 11 Semper Fit Events | 11
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St. Patrick’s Day at the Clubs
very St. Patrick’s Day, millions of people gather across the globe to celebrate the life of St. Patrick with lots of food, drink and the color green. Whether you’re looking for an evening social or a late-night bash, be sure to check out an MCCS Club for a St. Patrick’s Day party that is sure to knock your green socks off. Since this holiday is all about revelry, get the party started early on March 13. Check out the St. Patrick’s Rock and Roll Celebration at the Globe & Anchor (inside the Ocean Breeze) from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. Or head to Chesty’s SNCO Lounge, also inside the Ocean Breeze from 7 to 11 p.m. At Camp Courtney, “Shamrock n’ Roll” is from 6 p.m. to 1 a.m. at the Hashmarks SNCO Lounge. Draw upon the luck of the Irish at the Legend’s Officer’s Lounge inside Tengan Castle from 6 p.m. to midnight. Keep the party going on Monday, March 14 at The Bayview’s St. Patrick’s Day Bash on Camp Courtney
from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. or at Thirsty’s on MCAS Futenma. For the purists who wait till the observed St. Patrick’s Day, come to Camp Kinser Surfside Enlisted and SNCO Lounges, and the Butler Officers’ Club. These three events are from 6 to 10 p.m. At the northern
camps, party at Camp Hansen’s The Palms from 8 p.m. to midnight or check out the Landing Zone Enlisted Lounge at Camp Schwab from 6 p.m. to midnight. Miss St. Patrick’s Day altogether? Don’t worry, go to the Habu Pit from 5 p.m. to midnight on March 18.
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How to Celebrate Pi Day
CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER | Jim Kassebaum MANAGING EDITOR | Ryan Anastoplus ART DIRECTOR | Hector Nieves CULTURAL RESEARCH SPECIALIST | Ayako Kawamitsu GRAPHIC ARTS MANAGER | Henry Ortega GRAPHIC DESIGNERS | Margie Shimabukuro, Lisa Miyagi, Kelli Davis, Catherine Newquist EDITOR-IN-CHIEF | Mike Daley EDITOR | Caylee Reid PHOTOGRAPHER | Thomas Alan Smilie AD/SPONSORSHIP MANAGER | Roy Forster AD SALES | Yoshihiro Shinzato, Aya Chilcote, Yoriko Yamashiro, Carina Fils-Julien, Lisa Hicks DISTRIBUTION | Gideon Juko, Kelli Kreider MARKETING ACCOUNTS MANAGER | Andrew Menges ACCOUNTS & RESEARCH | Amanda Bakun, Katherine Melrose, Kayla Christen, Jenessa Reutov, Jennifer Dowd, Marissa DeSmet BROADCAST | Victor Mercado, Kathlene Millette, Gabriel Archer CAREER PRACTICUM INTERN | Skylor Stevens
Questions? Comments? Please e-mail OLW@okinawa.usmc-mccs.org. To advertise in Okinawa LivingWeekly, call 645-2245, fax 645-0975, or email sales@okinawa.usmc-mccs.org. MCCS is not responsible for designing and editing outside ads. No Department of Defense, U.S. Marine Corps or Marine Corps Community Services endorsement of commercial advertisers or sponsors implied.
Top: bigstock.com/Willee Cole, Bottom: bigstock.com/YakobchukOlena
alling all nerds! As you probably already know, March 14 is nationally recognized as Pi Day. Pi (π) is the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter. It doesn’t matter the size of the circle—how big or small— the ratio always stays the same. The ratio starts as 3.14 and continues on forever from what mathematicians can tell (it’s been measured out to over 2 trillion digits). Pi is a magical number and it deserves a magical day. Here is how you can celebrate Pi Day: Eat pie. Has there ever been a greater excuse to stuff your face with the wholesome goodness than for the sake of academia? All MCCS libraries will serve an assortment of freshly-baked pies all day on March 14 for FREE. Play pi-related games. Once you’re sufficiently stuffed, head over to the libraries’ math games and interactive activities section to really show how much you love pi.
Learn about pi scholarships. You may be asking, “Can pi be any greater? Never changing, infinitely reliable AND delicious?” Yes it can; it can earn you school funding. All MCCS education centers are hosting a Pi Day Scholarship Spectacular from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on March 14. The event will cover all available scholarships related to pi—this includes math, statistics, culinary and
miscellaneous scholarship opportunities for students of all ages. Check out the MCCS libraries and education centers on Pi Day to adequately celebrate pi in all its delectable glory. For questions, call the libraries at 645-6453 or the education centers at 645-7160 or go online and visit mccsokinawa.com/libraries and mccsokinawa/educationandcareerservices. Happy Pi Day!
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japanese phrase
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Chō kawaii! So cute! For details about FREE Japanese language classes, please call Marine & Family Programs–Resources at 645-2104/2106.
Why Do You Walk Like That?
apan loves its kawaii (cute) but as a cultural phenomenon, it’s more complicated than wide eyes and fuzziness. Some things that you may expect to be embraced in the land of cute are wholly rejected. There is a big difference in how Japan and the rest of the world define what is cute. For example when Cabbage Patch Kids were introduced to the Japanese market, they failed terribly, considered “ugly” and “grotesque.” Harsh things to call America’s babies. Same went for Barbie—Barbie Dolls did not achieve the success in Japan that it enjoyed in America. Instead, the Licca-chan Doll is the doll of choice. Licca-chan is an 11-yearold girl modeled after the typical Japanese physique. The disparity of kawaii works both ways. In preparation for the upcoming Tokyo Olympics and in an effort to better understand how women
are viewed by foreigners, Omron Healthcare Co., Ltd. and Wacoal (a lingerie company in Kyoto) polled foreign men living in Japan about what they find cute and not cute in Japanese women. According to the poll, 98% of foreign men found Japanese women to be kawaii. Their favorite things about the women included “their faces/makeup” (82%), “their general attitudes” (78%), “their hairstyles” (76%) and “their figures” (72%). When asked about what they found to be not so kawaii, their answers were “their way of walking” (64%), “their way of talking” (44%),
and “their posture” (42%). What’s wrong with their way of walking? Ironically, some Japanese women walk pigeon-toed because they believe it adds to their kawaii appeal. According to polls, it is the thing that counts against them most, at least among foreign men. In response to the survey, Omron Healthcare Co. has released healthcare information about how the pigeon-toed walk can be harmful to one’s health and posture, going so far as to call it the “mottainai walk” (wasteful walk). —Ryan Anastoplus
Clockwise from the top left: Sonsedskaya/bigstock.com, oysy/bigstock.com
If you have any burning questions about Japanese culture, please send them to OLW@okinawa.usmc-mccs.org.
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want one?
Becoming a mega fan? Find Gudetama gear at select San A or Don Quijote stores or online at sanrio.com/characters-gudetama.
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he adorable cat (or girl? as Sanrio pointed out) Hello Kitty has earned global fame—recognized worldwide by those who have never even taken a bite of sushi. However, Sanrio has a whole crew of cute characters, besides Hello Kitty, worthy of attention and at the top of my list sits (or really, sleeps) Gudetama. The name Gudetama is a cute wordplay; gude gude in Japanese refers to someone with no energy or strength while tama comes from tamago, the Japanese word for egg. And that is exactly what he is: a lazy egg. Introduced by Sanrio in 2013, Gudetama’s popularity quickly skyrocketed earning him second place in the company’s “Food Character Election” and his own merchandise page. There are entire chara-ben (decorative food) accounts dedicated to the spunk-less tamago. He is often seen sprawled out on the egg whites with an unhappy or defeated look on his face or slipping
Gudetama
through chopsticks. “I just can’t today…” he says, curling back up under his warm bacon blanket. Gudetama personifies Monday mornings— which may be one reason some find the lack of personality somewhat irresistible. Gudetama understands.
Clockwise from the top left: Ryan Anastoplus, Ryan Anastoplus, Thomas Alan Smilie
photooftheweek
Guinea pig + friend = even cuter
Watch a handful of his minutelong episodes on YouTube or check out his Twitter account and see him in “action.” And possibly be enchanted by this little egg who can’t. —Caylee Reid
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more details
Clockwise from the top left: Thomas Alan Smilie, Marish/bigstock.com
If the studies suggesting that volunteering leads to happier and more fulfilling lives is true, Okinawa’s Marines must be the happiest.
spotlight
SMP Volunteer Award
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he Single Marine Program (SMP) strives to improve the quality of life for unaccompanied Marines and Sailors stationed on Okinawa with great activities and trips, but they can’t achieve that goal without support from the community. SMP on Okinawa may be one of
the smallest, but it has made the biggest impact on its surrounding community. The 2,500 Marines of SMP on Okinawa have logged over 16,000 volunteer hours over the last quarter. “We compete with every coast’s SMP program” says Sgt. Zermeno. “We volunteer every weekend for
perimeter cleanups, car washes and working with children. The Day of Service is our biggest event, we get about 300 Marines per camp who come out to volunteer.” Visit mccsokinawa.com/smp or call 645-3681 to find out how you can help.
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tours+
adventure begins here Battle Sites Tour March 12, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Adult $28, Children (3–11) $18 (under 4) FREE Visit Kakazu Ridge, explore the Japanese Naval Underground Headquarters and end the day at Peace Prayer Park.
Valley of Gangala March 13, 9:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Adult $46, Children (5–12) $19, (3–4) $11 Looking for a new, fun place to hike? Not only will you enjoy the scenery, but also a spectacular walk through caves. Afterwards, have lunch at Okinawa World and watch the Eisa dancers.
Pizza in the Sky & Nakijin Castle March 12, 9:30 a.m.–5 p.m. Adult $23, Children (3–11) $16 (under 4) FREE Visit “Pizza in the Sky” in the hilly areas of Motobu Village. Afterwards, stop by the Nakijin Castle ruins.
Neo Park & Pineapple Park March 13, 9 a.m.–3 p.m. Adults $26, Children (3–11) $16 (under 4) FREE At Neo Park, hand-feed birds, monkeys and other animals. Then explore the Chrysanthemum Doll Exhibition. After lunch, enjoy the rest of the tour at Pineapple Park.
*Bring yen for additional food, drinks and/or purchases. For more information, contact MCCS Tours+: Camp Foster 646-3502 | Camp Hansen 623-6344 | Camp Kinser 637-2744
off-baseevents get out and explore
Koza A Lunch Championship March 10, 11 a.m.–8 p.m. Okinawa City Athletic Park Okinawa City FREE
Proud sponsor of MCCS Youth Sports
Athletics/Adult Sports
All photos: Thomas Alan Smilie
645-3521/3522
Aquatics 645-3180 Courtney Ironworks 622-9261/7297 Futenma Semper Fit 636-2672 Gunners Fitness Center 645-3985/2235 Hansen House of Pain 623-5558/4831 Health Promotion 645-3484/3910 Kinser Fitness Center 637-1869/1114 Schwab Power Dome 625-2654/2442 Taiyo Golf Club 622-2004 Tsunami SCUBA 645-9500 Youth Sports 645-3533/3534
Azalea Festival March 10–21, 9 a.m.–6 p.m. Azalea Park, Higashi Village Adults (15 and older) ¥300 Children FREE
Tsuken Island Festival March 13, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Tsuken Island Port, Tsuken Island Ferry tickets from Heshikiya port: Adults ¥1,510 Children (under 13) ¥770
upcoming semperfitevents 5K Lord of the Tengan Fun Run March 20 Camp Courtney Ironworks Fitness Center Register at any MCCS Fitness Center by 1 p.m. by March 14 for $20 or onsite for $25. This event is open to participants island-wide. Awards will be given to winners in each division. Details: 622-7297.
Open Softball Tournament March 18–20 Camp Foster Gunners Fitness Center Register at any MCCS Fitness Center by 1 p.m. on March 14 for $100 per team. This event is open to participants islandwide. Team and individual awards will be given. Details: 645-3003.
classof theweek Turbo Kickboxing Kick start your day with this high intensity class. Shadowbox and kick your stress away! Camp Courtney
For a full class schedule and times, visit mccsokinawa.com/groupfitness.