Nagazasshi 13.4 - A Little Birdie Told Me...

VOLUME 13, ISSUE 4

SPRING 2021 FREE!/無料 FREE!/ 無料

nagazasshi Setsubun has passed, and spring has officially begun. Last week we had snow in Nagasaki, and this week the plum blossoms are blooming. I hope that this spring opens a new chapter for us all, and that we can finally move on from the pandemic of the past year, bringing with us lives lost and lessons learned. At the Nagazasshi we too are thinking of new beginnings. We hope to welcome new staff members soon, so please contact us if you’ve enjoyed our magazine and want to get involved. Several of our beloved staff members will be leaving Japan this summer for different parts of the world, which means we’re offering the opportunity to everyone to join a passionate team of creative thinkers and friends. We love new faces and new ideas, and hope to hear from you!

New members aren’t the only additions we’re welcoming to the Nagazasshi.

We’re working hard to create new projects, including a website and a podcast, and can’t wait to share them with all of you. On our website, nagazasshi.com, we’ll share all of our recent articles in an easy-to-browse and sharable fashion. Our podcast will complement our magazine and dive deep into a topic of interest. Our first podcast, to be released soon, will be about Japanese politics.

Of course, we’ll always be dedicated to producing our magazine. Inside this issue we have an article about the all-female performance tradition of takarazuka, and Nagasaki’s own troop Kageki the Revue, housed in Huis Ten Bosch. We also have several features on animals. A veteran vegan explains how she gets by with her dietary restrictions, and a bird watcher explains the birds that we can find in our prefecture this time of year. We also have articles about the exotic pet industry in Japan, which is more robust than you might think from the outside. To complement the exotic pets, we also have an article about one person’s experience of adopting cats in Japan.

I hope you enjoy this spring issue of our magazine. As you can see, we at the Nagazasshi are doing more than ever to bring you our content, and with it, new ways of seeing the world around us. If you’re able, I hope you consider helping us out in some way, whether you consider joining our staff or whether you consider a small donation to our Ko-fi account. Even if you’re unable to contribute in those ways, thank you so much for your readership. You are what inspires us to keep doing what we do!

Clara Altfeld Editor-in-chief

CONTENTS

VOLUME 13, ISSUE 4

SPRING 2021

4 BIRDS OF NAGASAKI

For the Avian Enthusiast

6 NAGAZASSHI RECOMMENDS

Great Picks for Your Next Night In

9 I AM YELLOW, WHITE, AND A BIT BLUE Book Review

10 TAKARAZUKA AT HUIS TEN BOSCH Kageki The Revue

11 ADOPTING A CAT IN JAPAN A Personal Account

12 SHUWA (手話)

Crash Course in Japanese Sign Language

14 VEGAN IN JAPAN

Tips and Tricks On Upkeeping the Diet

16 THE JAPANESE JUNGLE OF (ILLEGAL) EXOTIC PETS The Unknown Underbelly

18 NIHONGO ON THE GO

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Clara Altfeld PRODUCTION MANAGER: J.S. EDITORS: Abbie Philpott, Kane Pride COPY EDITORS: Deidre Foley, Ronnie Triminio DESIGNER: Charlotte Gautier SOCIAL MEDIA: J.S., Clara Altfeld CONTRIBUTORS: Steven John Kornblum , Yuko, Deanna Timmons, Barbara Walker, Amber Jones, Will Morgan, Dan Cohen FOUNDERS: Andrew Morris, Matthew Nelson

COVER ILLUSTRATION: Charlotte Gautier INSIDE-COVER PHOTO: Charlotte Gautier

@nagazasshi

TEXT+PHOTOS: Steven John Kornblum Chances are you’ve seen a bird while out and about. Maybe even two. If you’re like most people, you likely didn’t pay too much attention to it, dismissing it as a sparrow or some other nondescript Small Brown Bird™. Perhaps you saw a larger bird with a long neck, standing near a pond or other body of water. “Ah yes,” you may have thought to yourself, “this must be one of those cranes I hear so much about.” I regret to inform you that, while it is not technically impossible for you to have seen a crane hanging out next to the tram stop in downtown Nagasaki City or in the field next to your apartment, you instead probably saw a heron or an egret. The fact is, the variety of birds that spend the winter in Nagasaki prefecture is pretty considerable. On a 30-minute walk through my neighborhood on the Shimabara Peninsula I will often see upwards of 25 species of all shapes and sizes. Here’s a quick guide to some of the more common and interesting birds you may find.

First up we have a winter visitor from the mainland, the Daurian Redstart (ジョウビタキ). This sparrow-sized bird can generally be found in semi-urban areas, in the margins between farmland and suburban developments.

They can be pretty curious at times, and you can often see them peeking in through windows and sitting on wires. The males have a striking silvery coloration on the back and crown of their heads, and a reddish brown belly.

Next is the White Wagtail (ハクセキレイ), also known as the Black-backed Wagtail, which is a subspecies commonly found in Japan. These things are everywhere; I see them all the time wandering around McDonald’s parking lots and schoolyards.

They have a very distinctive tail movement, hence the name. They’re hard to mistake for any other bird with their stark black and white markings.

Another common and spectacularly annoying bird is the Brown-eared Bulbul (ヒヨドリ). You may have not seen this bird, but you have, without question, heard it. The call of the Bulbul has been described as the sound of “a small animal being tortured” and “terrible.” Just imagine a Chihuahua mangling a dog’s squeaky toy and you’ll get the idea. Though quite vocal, Bulbuls can be shy — until they get hungry.

These are one of those birds that farmers try to scare away using those fake hawks in their fields. If you manage to spot one, they can be identified by their gray plumage and their roughly pigeon-sized bodies.

This next bird is the Blue Rock Thrush (イソヒヨドリ), also known as the Red-bellied Rock Thrush, which is the Japanese subspecies. You can find them anywhere there’s a coastline, though they seem to prefer seawalls and more built-up areas. They can also be friendly and curious birds, often following people and messing around. Only the males have the eponymous red belly; the females are a speckled gray color. Their song is also quite melodious and pleasant.

Our last bird is a small duck called the Eurasian Teal (コガモ). Unlike many ducks that spend the winter in Nagasaki, rather than foraging for food on the coast, the Teal prefers smaller inland streams and ponds. You can find them in groups of four to thirty, sometimes mixed in with other aquatic birds. The big green patch on the males’ heads is a good indicator of species, though the females have a much more plain coloration.

So, there’s a very small sample of the birds you can find around the prefecture this time of year. Hopefully you’ve been inspired to give the next Brown Bird™ a second look, even if it does turn out to be just another sparrow nine times out of ten.

JIN Lupin (2021) A French mystery TV series formed around Arsène Lupin, the famous gentleman thief and master of disguise.

Unlike the very popular BBC show Sherlock whose universe does not have Arthur Conan Doyle’s books (author of the original Sherlock Holmes), our main character, Assane Diop, is very much aware of writer Maurice Leblanc and his works.

His actions and “crimes” are often taken straight from Leblanc’s stories and create the framework for each episode. Just five episodes in all (for now), Lupin has drama, revenge, wit, and even explores the racism hidden in French society, making it perfect for a Netflix binge night.

ABBIE Golden Kamuy (ゴールデンカムイ) (2018-) A thrilling anime about a soldier of the Russo-Japanese war who teams up with an Ainu girl to find a secret trove of Ainu gold. Set in Hokkaido during the early 1900s, this anime has a thrilling plot line with a diverse range of characters that continually evolve over the three seasons that have so far aired. It can be a bit gruesome at times but it also has sweeter moments and is unexpectedly funny. Golden Kamuy is both entertaining and educational as it showcases Ainu culture and what Japanese life was like in the 1900s. Learn while you watch!

CLARA

Kimono Mom’s Kitchen (YouT

Y’all, I’m obsessed. Moe, known o who shows Japanese cooking, life i wholesome as can be). One of the t special is that she uses ingredients many of us reading this live in Japan Mom gives great tutorials on ho cooking without specialty Japane makes her cooking videos so speci She is the cutest chef’s assistan frequent appearances and draw and her family always put parenthood, and o

DEIDRE The Good Place (2016-2020)

Tube)

online as Kimono Mom, is a YouTuber in Tokyo, and her family life (which is as things that makes her cooking videos so s that are easily found abroad. Of course n, but for those of us who don’t, Kimono ow to make delicious Japanese home ese ingredients. The other thing that ial is her two-year-old daughter, Sutan. ant ever! Moe’s husband also makes ws the artwork for the channel. Moe t the best foot forward in life, in of course in the kitchen.

What happens when you die? According to this fantastical comedy series, you’ll end up in a heavenly “Good Place” or hellish “Bad Place” depending on the morality points you accumulated during your time on Earth.

Eleanor Shellstrop finds herself in the Good Place after a life as a lawyer who saved the lives of those on death row. The problem is, that wasn’t her life: she was a selfish saleswoman who scammed the sick and elderly.

With the help of Chidi Anagonye, a professor of ethics, she tries to hide her immoral past by bettering herself in the afterlife. This 53-episode series made me laugh a lot, cry a little, and even ponder some of life’s big philosophical questions. Each episode is only about 20 minutes, so open Netflix and give it a shot!

RONNIE

What Did You Eat Last Night? (Kinou Nani Tabeta? きのう何食べた?) (2019) Based on a 2007 Japanese comic with the same name, What Did You Eat Last Night? is about Shiro and Kenji, a middle-aged gay couple living in Tokyo. The series highlights the ups and downs of their lives and the challenges they both face as gay men, and features them coming together every night and making a delicious dinner. The series is surprisingly slice of life and easy to enjoy, while at the same time addressing Shiro and Kanji’s relationship in a profound way. Their relationship subverts the typical depictions of gay men in Japanese media and depicts them as a very realistic older gay couple. As a queer man, I loved seeing the two bicker over silly things and deal with issues I have come across in my time living in Japan. Seeing an older gay couple on screen is so reaffirming. It warms my heart and seeing what they cook inspires me to not order take out. The series is on Netflix and has 12 episodes, so please check it out!

KANE OMORI (2020 videogame) Warning: this is an indie psychological horror RPG that flips from "happy golucky, what a cute story!" to "dear god, I'm not sleeping for the next week because nightmares are real." Omori was developed by OMOCAT. Her works, merchandise, and web comics are influenced by Japanese pop culture (read: anime). Omori was released in December 2020 for Microsoft Windows and macOS, but has Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, and Xbox versions in development. The game tells the story of a hikikomori (a shut-in) named Sunny and his dream world alter-ego, Omori. Sunny explores both the real world and his strange, strange dream world, working to overcome his repressed fears and secrets. He is joined by his three friends that help him in turn-based battles against fantastical enemies, with status effects based on the characters' emotions. The game has multiple endings based on the player's choices — some of which are quite dark, so you've been warned.

Omori received praise from critics for its hand-drawn graphics, story, characters, battle system, and soundtrack. The game has also been compared to EarthBound, Yume Nikki, and Undertale. If you liked any of those games, you’ll like this one, too!

CHARLOTTE Yuru Camp (Laid-back Camp) (2019-2020) This lackadaisical anime follows a group of high-schoolers in Yamanashi prefecture as they create friendships in their outdoor camping club. Camping has seen a big boom in the past year as a social-distance friendly form of travel, and Yuru Camp gives people the opportunity to experience it from the comfort of their own homes. Whether it's a multi-day trip with friends or a solo day outing, Yuru Camp gives you all the practical advice you need, as well as the beautiful scenery of Northern Japan to daydream about. This show is available on Netflix, and although there's no English subtitles, the slow pace and simple plot make it excellent listening practice while also providing great vocabulary resources for anyone looking to camp in the future. Regardless, Yuru Camp is a cozy watch that will warm you up during these last cold months.

TEXT: Yuko I Am Yellow, White, and a Bit Blue is a story about a half-Japanese boy and his

Japanese mother’s experiences at a British secondary school. After graduating from a Catholic primary school, the son chooses to enter a local secondary school, formerly known as the “worst school.” Racism, gender inequality, income gaps… he faces many problems as he goes through his school days. His school life is like the microcosmos of our society today. The author, Mikako Brady, was born and raised in Fukuoka and now lives in Brighton, England, having moved there over 20 years ago.

She works as a childcare worker and also a writer.

In this book, there is a chapter about “母ちゃんの国 (mother’s country).” When I read it, I was very shocked about his experiences in Japan, which included being stared at on the bus when he was only three years old, or the whispers of “gaijin” and “half.” How he felt in Japan is because some Japanese people still have a mono-ethic idea and a sense of national identity.

It’s going to be important to embrace more diversity in the future in Japan. There is a conversation between the boy and his mother. “Diversity makes everything so complicated. Why is becoming more diverse good?” “If we only make the easy choice, then we will just be ignorant.”

After I read this book, I realized that I’m ignorant but I feel I want to know more about our world and accept what is happening now in our society. I believe that makes our society better little by little.

If you want to know more about the cultural divide found within Japanese society, please try this book to learn.

What is Takarazuka?

Kabuki, Noh, and Bunraku are the most well-known Japanese theater genres. However, another popular theater genre is Takarazuka. Takarazuka is a Japanese musical theater genre that features an all-female cast, which means female performers play both the female (musumeyaku) and male roles (otokoyaku). The performers don either role by changing their hairstyles, mannerisms, and both singing and speaking voices for a performance.

This is in direct contrast to Kabuki, which has an all-male cast that dons both female (onnagata) and male roles (otoko) to portray their stories. Although the founder of Kabuki, Izumo no Okuni, was a woman, women were banned from performing in 1629 and are still barred from playing Kabuki roles even today.

In 1913, the first Takarazuka group was founded in the city of Takarazuka in Hyogo prefecture and opened the door to the many women wanting to perform on stage. This musical theater type is famous in Japan for its ornately detailed costumes, expressive makeup, and its flowy and fast-paced dancing styles that take from both traditional Japanese and Western dance styles. The stories behind the musicals take inspiration from Japanese folktales and shoujo manga (comics aimed at young girls), as well as famous stories in Western culture.

Takarazuka performance tickets often sell out fast, but at Huis Ten Bosch these performances are available throughout the day at the Muse Hall and are free of charge with a One Day Passport.

Kageki The Revue Huis Ten Bosch has its own Takarazuka performing group called Kageki The Revue which performs both at the theme park and at events throughout Japan. The group is broken down into different teams that are composed of different members and a team leader. The official teams are Blue Rose, Team Flower, Team Heart, Team Shine, Team Wing, and Team Happiness. Each team practices for their team’s performance which is scheduled throughout the season. This means that Kageki The Revue has a large variety of show themes year-round such as Shougatsu, Tanabata, Valentine’s Day, Halloween, and Christmas. No matter the time of year, you can witness an entertaining performance.

Huis Ten Bosch Kageki Academy Kageki The Revue is unique because it chooses its members primarily from its academy: Huis Ten Bosch Kageki Academy. This academy takes talented young women and trains them to be performers under the guidance of talented staff. With training in Takarazuka performance, classical and popular vocals, and ballet and modern dance, these young women are set up for a bright future. After years of training, the young performers can set their sights on joining Kageki The Revue or other Takarazuka performance groups throughout Japan. The next time you visit Huis Ten Bosch, drop by the Muse Hall for a spectacular Takarazuka performance by Kageki The Revue.

TEXT+ILLUSTRATIONS: Deanna Timmons

I’ve lived with cats all my life. So, when I moved to Japan where I’d be living on my own for the first time, I was extra lonely without a pet to come home to.

But Japan can be a difficult place to keep a pet. A lot of apartments and employers don’t allow animals, and if they do, they often limit what kind and how many. Space can be another issue entirely.

Now, finding a cat is much easier, whether one lives in the city or the countryside. Of course, there are pet shops that sell kittens, but there are so many strays in need of a home that shops here seem redundant. There are even cat cafes that double as rescues and adoption centers. Adoption is much cheaper and more feasible for most.

Chai Tea Latte, or just Chai, was a couple months old when I first encountered her. She was an orange and brown tabby that came running up to me in the parking lot after I kneeled down and held my hand out. She and her siblings were so friendly and sweet and loved to run around the small patch of weeds that I call my garden.

She disappeared over the colder months only to reappear in the spring, climbing on my screen door and demanding entry on rainy days. I checked the pet rules with my building manager and then asked around the neighborhood to make sure I wasn’t stealing someone else’s pet. It turns out the house next door had raised Chai and her siblings, but they were all busy adults so they said, “Go ahead! Catch her and take her.”

It felt like fate. I was so happy to finally have my own kitty that was so affectionate and gentle.

However… there are risks to taking in a cat from the streets.

Sadly, unchecked stray cat populations are at great risk of injury and illness.

I only had Chai for a month before she passed on. She was a very sick cat with internal birth defects that took her before she made it to her first birthday.

When I informed my vet, who had been helping me manage her symptoms, he made a promise to me to find a healthy cat in need of a home. Many veterinarians work with foster carers to find homes for their strays. I was devastated about Chai, of course, but I had already decked out my house with cat towers and toy mice. This felt like another chance to help.

And along came Kurumi, a 2-month-old gray tabby with a charming, stubby tail. Such a young kitten can be a handful at times, but she’s brought nothing but joy to my life these past eight months. Well, maybe also a little stress since she loves climbing curtains, but mostly joy. I still miss Chai a lot, but if I hadn’t taken her in for her last month of life, I wouldn’t have given in to my urge to adopt and Kurumi might still be looking for a home.

Because sometimes, you choose the cat, and other times, the cat chooses you.

TEXT: Barbara Walker

You may be familiar with the spoken languages of Japan (Japanese, Ainu, Ryukyuan) but are you familiar with its unspoken one? Japan, like many countries, has its own national sign language. Nihon Shuwa, or Japanese Sign Language (JSL) is estimated to be used to some degree by over 125,000 people.

At first it may seem like an auxiliary to Japanese (and you can certainly use it to augment your Japanese study), but it’s important to understand that JSL is considered a natural language, with its own grammatical structure, history, and culture. It even has its own local dialects!

The gestures used in Shuwa may at times seem recognizable to users of other sign language families like American/Canadian (ASL) or British/Australian/New Zealand (BANZSL).

In some cases, gestures in one sign language may carry an unfortunate meaning in another — for instance, the sign for “brothers” (兄弟, kyōdai) would be offensive to many English speakers. Just as often, however, signs are borrowed from another sign language and may even carry the same meaning: one such borrowed sign between ASL and JSL is “I love you” (愛している, ai shiteiru).

A notable characteristic of Shuwa is that a number of signs are based around the Japanese kanji! For example, the gesture for “river” (川, kawa) is done by sticking your index, middle and ring fingers out and bringing them down, as if you were drawing the kanji with your hand. Whether you are interested in learning Japanese or just kanji, learning Shuwa can be very rewarding!

When my friend invited me to attend a session of our local Shuwa circle at the Saza community center, I was a bit sheepish. I wouldn't call myself fluent in Japanese, so attempting to learn JSL seemed like quite a challenge. Luckily, the community was so kind and eager to teach. By the end of our session, I was able to sign my name and had built a connection with them, despite my initial fears.

Unfortunately, as of the current posting of this issue, Shuwa classes and sessions are limited at this time due to the COVID-19

pandemic. If you are interested in studying JSL, you can check your local library or bookstore near the Health and Welfare (健康福祉, kenkō fukushi) section for Shuwa dictionaries and textbooks, or order one from Amazon Japan. Many of these books come with helpful DVDs to see the signs.

There are also a number of YouTubers that put out easy-to-follow content, and Japan’s national public broadcasting service NHK also releases daily news and educational content in JSL on its website. If you really want to challenge yourself, you can even try out for the Shuwa Kentei to earn a certification!

Shuwa is an interesting and fun language to learn while in Japan. Please give it a shot!

TEXT: Ronnie Triminio

TEXT: Amber Jones One common misconception about Japan is that it must be super vegan friendly. After all, they eat a lot of rice and vegetable dishes, they have more varieties of tofu than beans, and the soymilk section has flavors you could only imagine. However, having lived in Japan for over three years, I have found that to be far from the truth. Almost everything is cooked or prepared with fish broth, meat or a meat extract (yes, including the vegetables), and it can be difficult to wade through a long list of ingredients if your Japanese level is N6 or below.

“So Amber,” you ponder, “how does a dedicated vegan find food in a country where meat is the matriarch and katsuo is king?”

Well, my curious friend, for daily life a home cooked meal will always be the safest bet. Japanese grocery stores have a lot of seasonal vegetables and ingredients familiar to the western eye in addition to an abundance of ones you may not have at home. Personally, I really enjoy konyaku in all its forms.

Also, more and more vegan friendly products are making their way into Japanese grocery stores like egg-free mayo, vegan pancake mix, and dried soy meats. I’ve even found microwave cakes at Elena and soy ice cream and cheese in Max Value and AEON. “But Amber,” you say incredulously, “I live in the inaka/on an island. There’s no way my little mom and pop grocery store is ever going to carry any of that.”

Well, my struggling friend, in this modern age the internet is one of our biggest resources and almost anything can be found therein. So, here are three websites that I use and recommend. First, iHerb. com is a very popular and reliable site with a diverse inventory. It’s where I buy my protein bars, nutritional yeast, and peanut butter powder. They ship from South Korea and usually arrive very quickly. Second, Alishan-Organics.com is another good one. They are based near Tokyo and they offer a lot of imported goods including dried beans and vegan butter. They also offer frozen veggie meats like vegan hamburgers and hotdogs. Third, PuraTempeh.com is the one I use most often. They are based in Hokkaido and they ship handmade tempeh all across Japan. Other than original soy bean, they also make black soy bean, adzuki, and sometimes green pea tempeh too.

“But Amber,” you ask, “what about when traveling or if I want to go out to eat with my friends? It’s unrealistic to cook at home all the time.”

You are very correct. One thing I’ve learned is that it’s very important to do research. These days Japan has many vegan and macrobiotic (which is a vegan friendly diet) restaurants. They are easy to find by doing a quick Google search, checking HappyCow.net, or looking through local vegan Facebook groups. The bigger the city, the more likely you are to find a vegan friendly restaurant.

But, what do you do when you can’t find a dedicated vegan restaurant? One option is Korean restaurants. Every Korean restaurant I’ve been to has hot stone bowl bibimbap, and they’re always willing to remove the egg and the meat if you ask them to. Another option is Coco Ichibanya which has a dedicated “no animal products” curry, a soy meat katsu, and plenty of vegetable toppings to choose from. Even Indian curry restaurants can be accommodating. Above all, don’t be afraid to ask ahead of time. I’ve eaten at a Michelin star rated Chinese restaurant because when I made my reservation I asked the chef to make me a vegan meal. He ended up making me vegan Peking duck! I’ve even eaten at work nomikais when the locations knew ahead of time.

However, even when I’ve done all the research, made all the plans, and asked all the restaurants, sometimes I’ve had to settle for a meal in my hotel room thrown together from what I can find in a konbini or grocery store, or a dinner of fries and salad with friends. And there’s nothing wrong with that!

I don’t let that stop me from traveling and experiencing Japan.

Although Japan isn’t as vegan friendly as the world makes it out to be, it’s still a great place to live with many interesting and delicious things to eat. More and more products and places are marking allergens, so it’s becoming easier to find what’s safe to eat even with N6 Japanese. So, don’t be afraid or discouraged, my fellow and aspiring vegans. Go out, live your life, and eat!

What animals come to mind when you think of Japan? Could it be the raccoon-like tanuki? World-famous shiba dogs? What about Nara deer or Yakushima macaques? As in most countries, the native animals here have had a significant impact on the development of culture, tradition and superstition. Many have been depicted in Japanese art dating past the Edo period. Back in the good old days, it was safer to capture a tiger with ink and paper, than to risk it tearing out your throat wrangling it back to a pen using sharpened bamboo sticks.

Humanity has always had an eye for danger. As your ancestors knew, some animals were best left alone. Common sense has always been a necessary ingredient for staying alive. That being said, there are exceptions. For example, the US is well-known for outlandish pets and illegal exotic animals. Look no further than Joe Exotic in the hit docuseries “Tiger King.” Give it a watch and you might learn more about it than you ever wanted to know.

Circling back, how does Joe Exotic relate to Japan? What if I told you that Japan has its own Tiger King? Nobody so famous that you could put a name and a face to them, but instead, thousands and thousands of small-time “average Joes.” Like the US, Japan has developed an appetite for illegal pet imports and it only gets weirder from there. Tanuki? Shiba? Deer?

Forget those. In certain pet shops across Japan, you might find anything ranging from emus to crocodiles. On average, Japanese illegal imports of exotic animals has steadily increased since

1985. According to a 2018 study, 20% of these are mammals, 71% are made up of reptiles and the remaining 9% is divided between insects, birds and arachnids.

In 2009, a company employee found a nylon bag with a Siamese crocodile zipped inside near the entrance of a pet training center in Chiba Prefecture. Accompanying the bag, a note said: “I lost my job in March and can’t afford to support him anymore. I was told by a pet shop that they can’t accept him without ‘proper authorization.’ His name is ‘Gen.’ Please take care of him.” In another case, penguins, meerkats, monkeys, alligators and more were discovered to be on sale at NOAH: the inner city zoo, in Yokohama, in 2012.

In my personal experience, I have seen an American groundhog and an African meerkat on sale at Kagoshima and Isahaya pet shops, respectively. In Kagoshima, I was shocked to see a groundhog halfway across the world. As a Pennsylvania native, anybody here can attest that these fat, furry creatures common to the state are not meant to be pets. As a species that needs to hibernate in winter, they would be incredibly unhappy in domestic captivity. Discovering one in a pet shop is what sparked my curiosity about the current state of animal laws in Japan. What are the penalties for importing illegal pets? How widespread is the problem? Of all places, why Japan?

According to Crossing the Red Line, a 2018 report on illegal pet smuggling in Japan,

there is weak enforcement against importing exotic animals. The penalties for getting caught are light enough that they do little to deter would be smugglers. For example, the maximum sentence ever given for smuggling appears to be up to one year and ten months in prison, combined with a 800,000 yen fine. This comes out to roughly 7,600 USD, small change for any serious smuggler selling animals worth 14,00033,000 USD on average.

Given that 65% of smuggling cases involve airlines, Japanese customs data provides a good window into the prevalence of such activities. Between 2008 and 2018, there were 78 customs seizures involving 1,161 different animal species. No more than ten seizures were made in any given year.

According to wildlife organizations like TRAFFIC and WWFJ, such a level of seizures for a major consumer country means a low detection rate. As a result, the actual rate of smuggling is believed to be much higher.

Why Japan? The lax laws make it an easy destination to offload smuggled animals, and there’s enough people willing to pay for pets they are not supposed to have.

What can be done about it? That falls to the Japanese government and people with voting rights to decide. All I can do is write this article and bring attention to the issue. So, if you know of any pet shops near you, why not stop by and have a look inside? Most likely, you’ll see some cats and dogs. Other times, you might be surTEXT: Kane Pride prised. Then, you can spread the word, too.

TEXT: Will Morgan, Dan Cohen

Ten sheep are a herd but ten wolves are a pack. What gives? What about a parliament of owls, an army of ants, or a pride of lions? English is not alone in using collective nouns and Japanese even takes it a step further. Although in English you can say “three cows” and “three fish,” in Japanese those animals have different counters.

牛が三頭、魚が三匹いる。

Ushi ga santō, sakana ga sanbiki iru.

There are three cows and three fish.

Before taking you through the jungle of Japanese animal kingdom collective nouns, here is a refresher on Japanese counters.

1 2 3

個 (ko) - Perhaps the most widely applicable counter. Adding a standard number before this counter will allow you to hobble through any situation because although it might be technically wrong, Japanese speakers will certainly know what you mean. (ikko, niko, sanko)

つ (tsu) - Also an excellent general counter, but one that deviates from standard numbers. This one is especially relevant in ordering food at restaurants. (hitotsu, futatsu, mittsu)

台 (dai) - Counter for machines, like computers, cars, and washing machines. (ichidai, nidai, sandai)

本 (hon) - Counter for long, usually cylindrical things like pencils, trains, and tubes of toothpaste. (ippon, nihon, sanbon)

頭 (tō) - Counter for large animals such as cattle, deer, or sheep. (ittō, nitō, santō) 匹 (hiki) - Counter for small animals like cats, fish, and turtles. (ippiki, nihiki, sanbiki) 羽 (wa) - Counter for birds and, strangely enough, rabbits. (Although

technically incorrect, hiki is also commonly used for rabbits.) (ichiwa, niwa, sanwa)

If you are wondering what the cut-off for large and small animals is, a good benchmark is whether you can pick it up or not. Counters can be as confusing as they are numerous and learning them all is no small feat. Correct usage is highly contextual and even native speakers sometimes slip up. Believe it or not, the counter for a fish in water, hiki, changes to hon when it’s caught, and chō, saku, koro, or kire are used based on how it is sliced up! That said, whether or not you’ve used the correct counter, you will be understood. Our advice is to copy those around you and slowly get used to when you use each counter.

Happy counting!

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