Winter + Self-care + Cats! TEDxSAIKAI ● SELF CARE ● HETOMATO ● FESTIVAL NATALIS ● HOME AWAY FROM HOME ● CATS OF NAGASAKI
nagazasshi
CONTENTS
VOLUME 12, ISSUE 3
WINTER 2020
Season’s greetings everyone. Thank you for picking up issue 12.3 of the Nagazasshi.
4 VOLUNTEERING AT TEDxSAIKAI
None of us need John Snow reminding us about the obvious, however, even the most vigilant may forget that having a great winter requires a little more than supplementary cups of hot chocolate under the kotatsu. In this quarter’s issue, we gathered a range of self-care advice, covering the physical (p. 6), to the emotional (p. 8), and onto the social sphere of life as well (pp. 10-12). We trust that you will find something that can improve your winter experience, or perhaps, allow you to improve the experience of someone close to you.
6 PHYSICAL WINTER CARE
If anyone is in need of an instant pick-meup, page over to “Cats of Nagasaki” (p. 14) without delay. Capturing the warmth of our local stub-tailed, feline friends, Evan Hayden bids us all a fond farewell with these wonderful photographs. We wish him all the best with what awaits him in the new year. We have also had to say farewell to other members throughout the past year, including contributors, and while listing everyone here isn’t practical, we wish them all as good a 2020 as they made our 2019. And to you, our readers, thank you for engaging with us, sharing your own stories, and making the Zasshi team proud to be part of your lives. We hope to see you again in spring as we continue our journey in this amazing prefecture we call home. For now though, whether you plan to spend the holidays here or further afield, make sure to keep safe and not to miss the magic that is winter in Nagasaki. Flipi Poggenpoel Editor-in-Chief
Behind the scenes at a local TEDx event Proactively addressing that winter cold
8 EMOTIONAL WELLBEING
Using mindfulness for better emotional health
10 GOTO’S HETOMATO
One more reason to visit gorgeous Goto in winter
11 FESTIVAS NATALIS
Christmas cheer in Shimabara
12 HOME AWAY FROM HOME
What makes a Home away from Home?
14 CATS OF NAGASAKI
Warm your heart with our fuzzy friends
18 NIHONGO ON THE GO DIRECTOR: Emmanuel Feliciano PUBLISHING PARTNER: Dominic Balasuriya EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Flipi Poggenpoel EDITORS: Abbie Philpott, J.S. COPY EDITOR: Darsheka Ranchhod DESIGNER: Evan Hayden SOCIAL MEDIA: Emmanuel Feliciano CONTRIBUTORS: Tikira Beresford, Jason Bowen, Dan Cohen, Emmanuel Feliciano, Evan Hayden, Home Away From Home, Tetsuya Katayama, Will Morgan, Abbie Philpott, Flipi Poggenpoel, Kane Pride, Darsheka Ranchhod, J.S, Mireille Seguin, Piotr Siedlecki, TEDxSaikai FOUNDERS: Andrew Morris, Matthew Nelson COVER ILLUSTRATION: Evan Hayden INSIDE-COVER PHOTO: Evan Hayden
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One-week before the event.
TED (Technology, Entertainment, and Design) is a nonprofit organization that aims to share ideas worth spreading. These ideas come in the form of speeches, or talks, which cover all forms of topics in over 100 languages. TEDx events are independently run in local communities and are licensed by the TED organization. There are two annual events in Nagasaki Prefecture. TEDx Saikai 2019 took place on October 6th. This was the second time a TEDx event was held in Saikai. Starting in 2018, TEDx Saikai was held in the Sound Museum which, like Tashima, has no internet connection. Going back to the roots, to the very formation of ideas, was and is the purpose of Unplugged. TEXT: Jin Chang PHOTOS: Tetsuya Katayama, TEDxSaikai 4
At 10:00 a.m. high school students, university students, teachers, local volunteers, and one foreigner all gather in front of the shore. We walk onto the teeter-tottering pier, we get on the boat, we put on life jackets, and we sail off to the unknown. This was the first TEDx to be held on a 無人島 (mujinto), meaning uninhabited island. There is no one here, save for a goat, two dogs, named Jun and Toto, and a cat. This is Tashima, an island located in Saikai City just south of Sasebo. There is no electricity, no internet, no data connection, and it is the perfect locale for TEDx Saikai 2019 Unplugged. There is absolutely nothing resembling modern infrastructure on this island. Everything must be built from scratch, from the shelter to the stage. A generator must be brought in, all in one week. We cut bamboo to use for the building’s foundation and tie it together. We clean a boat and paint it to use as a stage. We begin to wonder if we will make everything in time.
Image courtesy of TEDxSaikai. Some rights are reserved under Creative Commons BY-NC-ND 4.0
Day of the event.
At 10:15 a.m. the volunteers have all gathered and are preparing the island for the event. Much of the time is devoted to cleaning the area around the beach. Heaps of trash, plastic, and dead plants are excavated, pondered at, and separated. Is this the sort of thing we’ve done to the earth? These thoughts float around. At 1:00 p.m. the guests begin to arrive. A walk is arranged where they can explore parts of the island. Short exhibits remind participants of what nature is. The taste of natural food, the sound of the crackling fire. At 2:30 p.m. the talk begins. There are three speakers; an assistant professor of PR and Journalism, an archaeologist from Nagoya University, and an actress. The organizer, a professor at the University of Nagasaki, introduces what TEDx is. A video is shown with an example of the differences in America and Japan. One country names its streets, while the other names its blocks. Different approaches, different perspectives, but all the same aim. By 6:00 p.m. the guests leave. After everyone has left, the volunteers have cleaning duty. Tarps are folded and trash is discarded, much work is still to be done. The shelter that was used to house the main event is slowly torn down. What’s left is merely the bamboo structure, the foundation on which everything was built. Each piece has been central to creating this day, just like the ideas that we’ve shared. What’s truly left is what we do with them.
Many more photos at: www.flickr.com/photos/tedxsaikai
While one of the warmest areas in Japan, Nagasaki still receives its share of winter cold. As we proceed further into the heart of this year’s winter, let’s take a moment to remind ourselves how to avoid some of the more taihen experiences that winter brings. TEXT: Flipi Poggenpoel PHOTO: Evan Hayden 6
As the saying goes, prevention is better than cure. So how would we go about preventing the frustrating common cold, and the more sinister flu virus? The bad news is that there is no absolute answer. The good news is that with some simple mindfulness it’s possible to reduce the chance of falling victim to one or both.
• • • • • • •
Healthy living: Ensuring your body has the basics is a good start all year round. Sleep, eat, and hydrate throughout winter to give yourself a fighting chance. Vitamin D: Eating foods high in vitamin D is a good way to offset the loss of regular sunlight during winter. Some examples include eggs, mushrooms, and fatty fish. Vitamin C: Research shows that vitamin C has its role in preventing colds if regularly included in our diets BEFORE we get sick. However, suddenly blasting your body with a supplement when you are already sick has little to no effect. Don’t spread it: Washing your hands regularly, not sharing food and drink directly, and wearing a mask if you feel you might have caught something, are all ways to avoid spreading germs and viruses around. Get a shot: For roughly 2-4 thousand yen clinics and hospitals provide flu shots every year. Remember, this is not an absolute measure either, vaccines are a mix of potential mutations of viruses only, not a definite match with what you might be exposed to. Expect to feel a little off the day after, as your body reacts and creates new antibodies. Don’t stay cold: Prolonged exposure to colder temperatures has shown to weaken your body’s immune system, making you more susceptible to viruses. There are also findings that the more common cold viruses (rhino virus) breed better below body temperature. Patience: Lastly, it helps to have patience. Avoid putting your body under additional stress due to impatience while you are sick. For example, it’s better to skip your exercise routine for a short period than to extend your illness by not giving yourself enough time to recover.
If you have headaches, body aches, or similar symptoms of the flu, it’s maybe time to go to a clinic and get checked. The test itself is not fun, but the provided medicine and byoukyuu note from the doctor is well worth it. General medical services in Japan are also affordable, so don’t let the cost be a reason for not going. For those of us facing a clinic or hospital visit alone for the first time, with or without any Japanese ability, it can be reassuring to download and complete a general medical information and symptom sheet beforehand. This allows you to give the doctor much of their required information, without the hand gestures and confusion. Some clinics may also have their own bilingual questionnaires to help foreign patients. Here is one example - http://tiny.cc/medsheet. Don’t let a cold or the flu ruin your winter this year. There are a lot of great activities and events that are only available this season, so stay safe and see you on the slopes! 7
You know that feeling at the end of a long day when your head feels full and you just want to do nothing but sit and stare at the wall? Well, maybe you should. We go about our days having external experiences, rarely putting attention on how we’re processing them internally. Practices of Mindfulness are a form of mental hygiene, a way to clear the clutter we build up, by bringing awareness to our internal experience. What sort of healthy preventative outlets help you to manage challenging emotions? The word “preventative” here meaning that the activity prevents you from ruminating or getting carried away by feelings. Sports, art, music, and other hobbies are all creative means of expressing yourself. These sorts of activities bring you into your body, into an awareness of where you are and what you are doing. Other activities can take you out of your body. We can feel the difference when we go for a long walk versus playing video games for hours. Choose your outlets carefully and do not abandon your body. Do the people around you support you to make healthy decisions? It’s okay to bond over painful things IF we are bonding over transcending them. You can also support yourself by knowing your patterns and making decisions as your ideal self; by being gentle, non-judgemental and selfcompassionate.
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Here are some tools you can use regularly for maintaining emotional wellness:
• • • • •
Reflection: Take a mental step back and assess yourself, being nonjudgmental of your thoughts. Journaling: Write freely without hesitation. There is no need for anyone or yourself to read over what you’ve written for catharsis. Gratitude: It is hard to be upset after thinking of all the things you have to be grateful for! Nature therapy (森林浴): There is no easier way to connect with your natural self than to submerge your senses in the natural world. Smile: Deeply from within, then, express it on your face, and finally, bless someone with a pleasant “have a nice day.” A smile given can turn into a smile received.
There is a practice in Mindfulness, guided by the acronym RAIN. You can use RAIN to wash over yourself in facing challenging emotions, or at any time, to come into awareness of self.
• • • •
Recognize what is happening. Allow the experience. Accept that this feeling is here. Investigate with kindness. What triggered this feeling? Be simply curious, not ruminating or repressing. Explore how the feeling manifests in your body, where the muscles tense and how your breath changes. Natural awareness - not identifying with thoughts and emotions. Our thoughts and emotions are like visitors to the door. Some visitors might come with a gift, some come crying or ranting. The most you can do is let them in, listen compassionately, and offer some tea or a hug.
Understanding this concept is a good reminder that, while we are each unique, we all have these emotional visitors. It’s important to remember the things that connect us. Thinking this way, we cannot help but be compassionate. Mindfulness breeds compassion. When you spend time observing yourself, you develop a softness for this delicate human life form, and the others like it. In this vein, when it comes to emotional health, it is of utmost importance to always be gentle with yourself.
TEXT: Tikira Beresford ILLUSTRATION: Piotr Siedleck
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Hetomato (へトマト) takes place in Goto on the third Saturday of January. Specifically, it takes place in the small seaside town of Sakiyama (崎山). This festival has been going on for generations and its origin can be traced back to the town's roots, as both a fishing and farming village. Supposedly, the festival used to be a sort of competition between the fishers and the farmers, to see who would have a more prosperous season, with male participants quite exposed in their fundoshi or loincloths. Hetomato takes place between two local temples - one close to the sea and one close to the mountains, with the same local family presiding over the festival for the past seven generations. I was able to attend one year, let me share my experience with you. The festival starts with a sumo tournament in front of the first shrine, beginning with a kindergarten sumo match and ending with local men who happen to be quite hammered, duking-it-out in the ring. Everyone then walks over to a different site where there is a tug-of-war and a 'large ball throwing' event. There is a large straw ball that the two teams (historically the farmers and the fishers) fight over and try to throw to their team. If they get the large straw ball, they will be rewarded with a prosperous harvest that year. My friend, a Hetomato veteran, said only 'Dont. Get hit. By the ball.' It tends to fly into the crowd and probably weighs at least 20 kilograms. Whilst this ball-melee is occurring, there is also a race to paint each other with a black charcoal paint mixture. This started long ago as someone playing a trick, and it just stuck. Now, it is said to protect against sickness for the coming year. For the main event, a large straw sandal called an oozori is hoisted into the air by the men and carried aloft through the town. As they walk down the street, they look for young women in the crowd to put into the sandal and throw them up and down a few times. This is supposed to bring the ladies luck in marriage and fertility. I'm anticipating for the marriage proposals to start flooding in any day now because I was tossed in this oversized sandal. Hetomato is a great reason to get out of the house, and onto Goto, during the winter weekends in January. Braving the cold becomes all the more worth it as you get drawn into the communal feel of this long standing tradition. 10
TEXT & PHOTO:
Mireille Seguin
The smell of burning cedar torches fills the crisp night air. Christmas lights and twinkling stars illuminate the crowded event grounds. The glow of festival tents and food stands stretches out from the main stage. The sound of Christmas caroling rings throughout the usually hushed countryside. No, this isn’t a Christmas market in Germany or a holiday village in England, but Festivitas Natalis in Kita Arima, Japan. Kita Arima is a town located in Minami-Shimabara City, on the Shimabara Peninsula. About 400 years ago, a secondary education school called the “Seminario of Arima” was established here by Jesuit missionaries from Portugal. It was the first of its kind in Japan. Festivitas Natalis is a celebration of the relationship between Japan and Europe, rooted in the Christian faith that flourished here during the 16th century. Today, the Christian missionaries are long gone, but a secular celebration remains. Every year, Festivitas Natalis is held on the first Saturday of December. Unlike most Japanese festivals, there are several food tents that serve Western cuisine, daringly reaching beyond “fried potatoes” and “American dogs.” A delicious Portuguese spiced wine is also served for attendees over the age of 20. The Japanese take on these holiday treats is worth a trip to Kita Arima in itself, but there is plenty more to be offered by Festivitas Natalis.
The festival is known for featuring Japan’s two tallest Christmas trees (each measuring about 30-meters tall), which are decorated to create a festive, winter atmosphere. Throughout the night, there are musical performances, games, raffles, caroling, and dancing. Most songs performed are Japanese covers of classic Christmas songs. Occasionally this comes as a surprise to some locals whom think that the carols originated in Japan. Lastly, standing out among the festivities is the main event of the night: a torch-lit, costumed procession through the entire town. At the start of the festival, a large group of townsfolk, ALTs, and other guests are invited to dress up in traditional Portuguese garb provided by the city. The marchers are then driven to the opposite side of town and handed burning torches. They then make their way back towards the site of the festival, singing and caroling for all to hear. Whether you miss the smell of pine needles on a Christmas tree, the warmth of holiday lights in the winter night, the sound of carolers merrymaking on your doorstep or the general acknowledgement of Christmas as a holiday in Japan, Festivitas Natalis is the perfect event to experience during the holiday season here in Nagasaki Prefecture. TEXT: Kane Pride PHOTOS: Festivitas Natalis Executive Committee
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Home Away From Home Home away from home: a phrase that connotes the familiar warmth and happiness one experiences in a place other than one’s usual dwelling. In Nagasaki, where winters can be sad for people who live alone, it is good to know that there is a unique start-up that offers not only a place, but also a community, that you can call home. What is HafH? HafH stands for “Home Away from Home.” It is a co-living and co-working community. For a flat, monthly rate, you can travel and stay anywhere within the HafH network. As of 2019, HafH has 171 accommodations in its network, covering all 47 prefectures in Japan, and including 17 overseas countries. We asked two people who run and work in separate HafH locations to talk about their respective offerings. At the Heart of Nagasaki – HafH Nagasaki-SAI Kasumi Iwanaga, operations and activity planning, HafH SAI-Nagasaki, Nagasaki City: HafH is a good way to stay at different accommodations. It’s a one of a kind ‘subscription’ for living, working and traveling. When you rent a house in Japan, there are always extra fees such as utilities, deposits, and key money. With the HafH system, it is everything for one price. In HafH SAI Nagasaki, one of HafH’s main locations, you can expand your social and business networks through interactions with fellow guests. Communal living, especially in a lively and diverse set up takes away the feeling of being alone. Winter blues are a common problem during the cold season, so living, working, and engaging in activities with a community can help address this. On top of living in a community, you can also engage in different regular and special events. Experience coffee classes, game nights, talks, workshops, and seminars in our co-working spaces and meeting rooms. And, of course, HafH Nagasaki-SAI allows you to enjoy Nagasaki city’s vibrant and diverse atmosphere.
What’s on offer – A case study – Yukinoura Moritaya Guest House Jason Bowen, manager of Yukinoura Moritaya Guest House, HafH affiliate, Saikai City, Nagasaki: Yukinoura offers a wide range of activities and learning opportunities. In the ocean and rivers of Yukinoura, you can enjoy swimming, surfing, stand up paddling, kayaking, and sunset cruises. The Music Shower Museum offers a massive collection of records and rare music equipment that will leave you in awe. There are a variety of workshops and experiences for you to immerse yourself in Japanese culture and the way of life here. Music concerts are held regularly, where you can experience the music of Japanese ocarina and flute players, filling the serene countryside with gentle, calming melodies. Why not take a gentle stroll and traverse the traditional farms alongside the glistening river? Reach the end and you will see the breathtaking waterfall. There is a variety of craft herbal teas, jams, and bottles of vinegar for a wholesome diet. English tea is also available if that is your preference. There are specialists in acupuncture, aromatic massage, meditation, and music therapy who can heal your body and mind. Moritaya Guest House is a community-run business that includes a café that is a meeting point for the locals and guests alike. This is a place where you can rest your head in both traditional futon style beds and standard western beds. This is a place that can be your home away from home. **** Ultimately, HafH is a great opportuity to seize life whilst working at locations like these and many others. What are you waiting for? Seize the day. Visit hafh.com
TEXT: Emmanuel Feliciano, Jason Bowen PHOTOS: Home Away From Home, Jin Chang
TEXT & PHOTOS: Evan Hayden Hello everyone! Evan here. I've had the pleasure of designing the Nagazasshi this past seven issues. My work has been getting busier and busier and more importantly, I'll be a new dad in early 2020, so this will be my last issue. It's been a really fun time and I am very thankful to the Nagazasshi team members and readers for your support! I wanted to leave you with a gallery of photos I took of Nagasaki cats, both strays and pets. Over my six years in Japan, I formed a bond with many of these little ones. My wife Miwa and I would spend time on many of our walks dropping by places like Maruyama Park to visit the colony of cats who live there. Strays have a hard life in Japan, and their lives are much shorter than thier fellow felines who are welcomed into warm homes. I made a point to visit these kitties and give them a pat on the head, or maybe a bit of food, just to try to show them a little love. I'm back in USA with our two cats, Sergio & Lizzy, but I often wonder how our fuzzy little friends in Nagasaki are doing. Pet a friendly cat when get a chance. It'll make the both of you happy! 14
TEXT: Will Morgan, Dan Cohen
Winter has arrived! In this issue, we are going to tell you how to talk about the surprisingly difficult topic of being cold, and some good ways to stay warm. Interestingly, the Japanese have multiple ways to say “cold”. English wraps it all up conveniently into one word, but Japan is more particular. For example, when the temperature outside is low, and you feel cold, that’s 寒い (samui). However, when water from the tap is cold to the touch, that’s 冷たい (tsumetai).
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今日は寒いですね (kyō wa samui desu ne) - It’s cold today, isn’t it?
Use samui to discuss the weather or the temperature of a place. For example, you can replace the underlined word with things like 北海道 (Hokkaido) or 冬 (fuyu - winter). 水が冷たいです (mizu ga tsumetai desu) - This water is cold.
Use tsumetai to discuss how things feel to the touch. For example, you can replace mizu with things like 手(te - hand), アイスクリーム (aisu kurīmu - ice cream), or 風 (kaze - wind). Be careful when using these adjectives on people! If you are 寒い (samui) you are cold, if you are 冷たい (tsumetai) you are cold-hearted.
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Whether you have hieshō (冷え性 - when your hands and feet get cold easily due to poor circulation), or you’re just a samugariya (寒がり屋 someone who hates the cold), here are some words for staying warm at home in Japan. エアコン (eakon) - air conditioner. In Japan, air conditioners function as heaters too. Just look for the 暖房 (danbō) button. コタツ (kotatsu) - a table that features a blanket and heating element. Once
you get under one, you may never want to leave.
ホットカーペット (hotto kāpetto) - an electric carpet. Great for cold feet. 電気毛布 (denki mōfu) - electric blanket. Perfect for warming you and your
bed quickly.
カイロ (kairo) - pocket warmer. Keep an eye out for all the different
varieties! ストーブ (sutōbu) a space heater, not to be confused with a 焜炉 (konro -
stovetop).
Good luck navigating the complicated landscape of talking about temperatures in Japanese! There’s too many for an exhaustive list here, but there are even specific words for food that has unfortunately cooled down or a room-temperature drink. And a ‘cold beer’ uses neither samui nor tsumetai! 冷えたビールがあればたまらないね。 (Hieta bīru ga areba tamaranai ne.)
A cold beer would hit the spot! Happy studying!
