Below are story ideas grouped by JET participants and alumni (JET World) and those more on Japanese culture (Japan World). If you’re a JET or JETWit contributor from anywhere in the world, we welcome your interest or additional story ideas! Click “Read More” below to see our story ideas, and contact JQ’s editor Justin Tedaldi (magazine [at] jetaany [dot] org) to sign up.

***JET WORLD***

  BOOK REVIEW: SHIRO: WIT, WISDOM AND RECIPES FROM A SUSHI PIONEER

A stunning new book from Seattle-based (and JET alum founded) Chin Music Press! Shiro Kashiba is the godfather of the Seattle sushi scene, and he was the first to bring the modern sushi bar to the Pacific Northwest in the 1960s. SHIRO, published in time for Shiro’s 45th year in Seattle, is a memoir/cookbook filled with the chef’s musings on the bounty of the Pacific Northwest and how we can preserve it for generations to come. It’s filled with beautiful personal photos, recipes, illustrations and tons of interesting facts about sushi and the Northwest food scene. Perfect for the foodies, Japanophiles or history buffs! For more info, click here.

‘THE RICE COOKER CHRONICLES’ SERIES

We are running a new series on JETwit about solo cooking experiences while on JET (check out “Nattode,” the first piece in the series). Did you discover a new favorite comfort food in Japan, learn to cook a mouthwatering meal that you still serve today or accidentally buy something really weird only to discover (and reluctantly) eat it in your mansion? We want to hear about it!

‘WINTER IN JAPAN’ ANECDOTES WANTED!

This quarterly anecdote topic is winters in Japan from JET alumni around the world! If you have a strange, delightful (or both—we all do) short story to share about your fuyus past in Japan, we’d love to publish it. Participate in Yuki-matsuri? Go for a particularly invigorating onsen dip to beat the cold? Funny story to share about getting a kotatsu or ceramic heater? Let us know!

JET GOT ME A JOB’ SERIES

We’ve heard from several JETs recently who have found jobs in their home countries working for Japanese companies, organizations or related fields in education. If the JET experience was a big help in netting that job, we encourage you to write about it.

JET ALUM LAUNCHES CROSS-CULTURAL CONSULTING SERVICES SITE

Jennifer Jakubowski (Hokkaido ’95-’97) has also spent several years in Japan outside of the JET Program. Although she have been doing Japanese-American cross-cultural business consulting and training for several years now, she has just officially launched a website advertising these services. Bridges to Japan is based in the NYC metropolitan area, but services clients all over the country. Talk to Jennifer or write about the site for an article.

JET AUTHOR ARI KAPLAN

JET alum author Ari Kaplan (Hyogo-ken, 1993-94), who practiced law for nine years at a big firm before setting out on his own and, among other things, writing The Opportunity Maker:  Strategies for Inspiring Your Legal Career Through Creative Networking and Business Development which became a big hit in the world of lawyers and especially among law students facing an increasingly uncertain job market and career prospects. It turns out Ari, who speaks regularly at legal career events, has a new book coming out soon on the theme of “reinvention” intended not just for lawyers but for all professionals re-thinking their careers in a society where the ground increasingly seems to shift below our feet. For more information about Ari, visit his website at www.arikaplanadvisors.com.  You can also see media coverage of him on WGN-TV Chicago, in the Wall Street Journal’s Law Blog and in the Houston Chronicle.

JET ALUMS DEVELOP JAPANESE FLASH APP

Mark Makdad, founder of software company Long Weekend Mobile, has developed with his partner Ross Sharrott the Japanese Flash vocabulary builder app for iPhone, as well as the Rikai Browser for iPad for reading Japanese. Interested in giving these products a spin and writing about them?

‘JET INSTANT NOODLE’ COMICS

Profile of JET alum artist Shun Endo and his “JET Instant Noodle Comics.” Read samples here.

JET ALUM/SAKE EXPERT JOHN GAUNTNER

John Gauntner is a JET alum and noted lecturer on sake who travels the world to speak all about this appealing beverage. He has published a score of books on the topic and spoke at New York’s Japan Society last year. Visit his website www.sake-world.com.

ISSHONI LONDON – JET ALUM BLOG

London JET alum Vanessa Villalobos writes about Japan-related events, news, review and interviews. This would be a good Q&A piece for any JETs wanting to learn more about how our alumni groups operate overseas. Learn more at:

www.isshonilondon.co.uk

www.facebook.com/pages/Isshoni-London/119415767689

www.twitter.com/IsshoniVanessa

TEAMTEACHERS.COM

An innovative telecommunications site for Team Teaching, founded by a JET. www.teamteachers.com

JETSET – CANADIAN JETS IN JAPAN

Melissa C. runs JETset, a site for Canadian JETs in Japan and a well-known resource center for JET participants. See more for a profile at http://www.jetsetjapan.com.

 ***JAPAN WORLD***

JAPAN FOUNDATION OF NEW YORK OFFERS JAPANESE COURSES!

JQ is looking to write up a profile with the course coordinator. The Japan Foundation, New York, in cooperation with The Nippon Club, will offer an original Japanese language and culture course, JF Japanese Language Course starting January 2012 as a part of The Nippon Club Culture Courses. These interactive and small classes are for beginner through intermediate learners to enjoy Japanese culture – manga/anime, pop music, origami (paper folding), calligraphy, chopsticks training, and more! This new course is based on the Japan Foundation’s JF STANDARD FOR JAPANESE LANGUAGE EDUCATION (JF Standard), which provides a framework of levels of Japanese language proficiency. Classes begin in January 2012. www.jfny.org/language/index.html

FUKUSHIMA “EIGAO SMILE” WRAPPING PAPER BENEFIT

Profile on EMI Japan Recording artist  Akemi Kakihara and her unique project! “えがお” is Japanese, means “SMILE”, pronounced as “EGAO” These lovely drawings were received as gifts by Fukushima Soma Minato Preschool 3-, 4- and 5-year-old students. Following the Great East Japan Earthquake, the fear from the nuclear radiation problem is far beyond imagination. These drawings captured those precious moments and their smiles, and continue to raise awareness and support children in Fukushima and Japan.

Akemi Kakihara’s AK Official Site: www.emimusic.jp/ak/    JP GIRLS NYC: www.facebook.com/JPGirlsNYC

DVD REVIEW: DOCUMENTARY OF J-POP GIRL GROUP AKB48

AKB48 was conceived in 2005. Beginning as a small all-girl singing group based in the Akihabara district of Tokyo – the city’s bustling electronics and anime/pop culture shopping Mecca – AKB48 has grown to 60 members and topped Japan’s Oricon music charts with the two best-selling pop singles in 2010 as well as another two singles ranking in the Top 10. With a complicated balance of competition and friendship among its members, the group’s bond is extremely strong. DOCUMENTARY of AKB48 to be continued traces AKB48’s history with scenes from concerts and rehearsals, member general elections, and fan activities both in Japan and abroad. The film also includes personal interviews with select members that reveal each of the girls’ personal struggles, joys, path to growth, and dreams. http://store.newpeopleworld.com

SACHIYO ITO DANCE COMPANY ARTICLE: 30^th ANNIVERSARY PROFILE

Sachiyo Ito and Company is the only dance group in New York City to perform Japanese classical dance, Okinawan dance, and contemporary works based on these traditions. They had their 30th Anniversary Concert near New York’s Lincoln Center in October, taking the audience from medieval Japan to present day through dance and live music. Takers are invited to write about Ito-sensei herself or review an upcoming concert. www.dancejapan.com.

KYUSHU BATTENKAI OF NEW YORK

Since last summer, JETAANY has joined forces with the Kyushu Battenkai (an association of Japanese from Kyushu living in New York), and more than 60 participants attended the group’s Fall Gathering last September. As New York is home to many other similar prefecture associations, this team up is a model for future JETAA Chapter-Prefectural Association events. The Battenkai’s president would be happy to get in touch with any JET writer interested in a Q&A or a feature article about the organization and its ties with JETAA.

MOVIE/BOOK/RESTAURANT REVIEWS

A good upcoming film is Studio Ghibli’s The Secret World of Arrietty (co-written by Hayao Miyazaki), coming to theaters Feb. 17. Also, we are accepting reviews on any Japanese restaurant that you’d like to spread the word about. (Even better if they’re run by JETs.) JET alum Jamie Graves works at Kajitsu, an East Village restaurant in New York specializing in shojin cuisine, an ancient Japanese culinary practice developed in Zen Buddhist monasteries.

WHERE DO YOU GET YOUR JAPAN FIX?

In an effort to revive the “Japan Fix” posts, we’d like to share a recent discoveries to help readers find a little piece of Japan close to home.  How do you get your Japan fix wherever you live?

ROBIN SAKAI OF GAIJIN POT

Gaijin Pot is a site that offers jobs, apartments and classifieds in Japan. Run by Robin Sakai, it strives to bring the Japanese and expat community together.

REVIEW OF JAPANESE LANGUAGE STUDY OPTIONS IN THE NY AREA

We would like to add a listing as well as a possible review of Japanese language study options in the New York area. One of these is Hills Learning, founded by Jon Hills, who works with JETs in New York to promote his learning center, which teaches four languages to children and adults. Jon also co-presents monthly Asian networking events. Jon is open to a profile. Learn more at www.hillslearning.com.

CONSULATE GENERAL SCHOOL CARAVAN

This is a decade-plus program run by New York’s Consulate General of Japan that sends consulate staff (American and Japanese) to New York high schools and junior high schools to introduce students to Japanese culture, and JET alums have even served as presenters! The purpose of this article will be to increase awareness of the program so more JETAA members can get involved.

KEIO ACADEMY OF NEW YORK

Based in Purchase, NY, Keio Academy is a school for bilingual and bicultural education established by its Tokyo namesake.  Besides the various activities the school offers, it also seeks to recruit JET alums for potential work opportunities.  We can put you in touch with their business officer, who is happy ro speak with more JETs about the subject.

ASIA SOCIETY OF NEW YORK

In Jan. 2010, NYC’s Asia Society held a concert called “Hogaku,” or Japanese folk instruments played with modern flair. We’ve never profiled Asia Society, so this would be a great time to find out more about how they select their Japanese attractions and exhibitions.

JAPAN INFORMATION CENTER OF NEW YORK

Profile. Take advantage of Japan Information Center to promote Japan! The Japan Information Center (JIC) is the cultural and public affairs section of the Consulate General of Japan in New York. The JIC distributes educational materials, posters and pamphlets on Japan, provides speakers on various aspects of Japan to the schools throughout this region, Provides information on the Japanese Government Scholarships & the JET Program, distributes the e-newsletter Japan Info, and loans videos/DVDs and cultural artifacts.

As the year winds down, JETAA New York’s JQ magazine continues to provide weekly content with an ever-expanding array of articles, interviews and features (for our recent stories, click here). Following our quarterly meeting in Manhattan this week, we’re now looking for new writers from all JETAA chapters worldwide to write and share more material that we can post online to the widest JET readership on the web through our hosts at the global JET alumni resource site JETwit.com.

Below are story ideas grouped by JET participants and alumni (JET World) and those more on Japanese culture (Japan World). If you’re a JET or JETWit contributor from anywhere in the world, we welcome your interest or extra story ideas! Contact JQ’s editor Justin Tedaldi (magazine [at] jetaany [dot] org) to sign up.

***JET WORLD***

JETAANY CAREER FORUM/WELCOME BACK RECEPTION (11/12)

We would like coverage of upcoming events in New York for any writers planning to attend.

JETs ‘RETURN TO TOHOKU’ SERIES

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Japan Tourism Agency jointly organized an Invitation Program for JET Alums who worked as a JET in Iwate, Miyagi, Fukushima or Sendai-shi for 2 or more years to return to Japan as an ambassador. The goal of the program is to help promote the affected areas and do PR work on their behalf. From around the world, 14 JET alums were selected to return to Japan. Of those, eight were US JET alums. Visit the provided link to see their stories if you would be interested in doing a Q&A with one of them. Also, if you or other JETs are planning to return to help out in the wake of the devastation, we’d love to run an article so you can share your thoughts with other JETs around the world. www.jetaausa.com/tohoku-recovery/jet-alums-return-to-tohoku

‘ALONE IN THE KITCHEN WITH A RICE COOKER’ SERIES

We are running a new series on JETwit about solo cooking experiences while on JET (check out “Nattode,” the first piece in the series). Did you discover a new favorite comfort food in Japan, learn to cook a mouthwatering meal that you still serve today or accidentally buy something really weird only to discover (and reluctantly) eat it in your mansion? We want to hear about it!

HOLIDAYS IN JAPAN ANECDOTES WANTED!

This year, we’re bringing back seasonal holiday (from November through New Year’s) anecdotes from JET alumni around the world! If you have a strange, delightful (or both—we all do) short story to share about your holiday seasons past in Japan, we’d love to publish it.

‘JET GOT ME A JOB’ SERIES

We’ve heard from several JETs recently who have found jobs in their home countries working for Japanese companies, organizations or related fields in education. If the JET experience was a big help in netting that job, we encourage you to write about it.

JET ALUM LAUNCHES CROSS-CULTURAL CONSULTING SERVICES SITE

Jennifer Jakubowski (Hokkaido ’95-’97) has also spent several years in Japan outside of the JET Program. Although she have been doing Japanese-American cross-cultural business consulting and training for several years now, she has just officially launched a website advertising these services. Bridges to Japan is based in the NYC metropolitan area, but services clients all over the country. Talk to Jennifer or write about the site for an article.

JET AUTHOR ARI KAPLAN

JET alum author Ari Kaplan (Hyogo-ken, 1993-94), who practiced law for nine years at a big firm before setting out on his own and, among other things, writing The Opportunity Maker:  Strategies for Inspiring Your Legal Career Through Creative Networking and Business Development which became a big hit in the world of lawyers and especially among law students facing an increasingly uncertain job market and career prospects. It turns out Ari, who speaks regularly at legal career events, has a new book coming out soon on the theme of “reinvention” intended not just for lawyers but for all professionals re-thinking their careers in a society where the ground increasingly seems to shift below our feet. For more information about Ari, visit his website at www.arikaplanadvisors.com.  You can also see media coverage of him on WGN-TV Chicago, in the Wall Street Journal’s Law Blog and in the Houston Chronicle.

JET ALUMS DEVELOP JAPANESE FLASH APP

Mark Makdad, founder of software company Long Weekend Mobile, has developed with his partner Ross Sharrott the Japanese Flash vocabulary builder app for iPhone, as well as the Rikai Browser for iPad for reading Japanese. Interested in giving these products a spin and writing about them?

‘JET INSTANT NOODLE’ COMICS

Profile of JET alum artist Shun Endo and his “JET Instant Noodle Comics.” Read samples at http://jetwit.com/wordpress/2010/10/25/instant-noodle-comics-i-wish-facebook-had-the-boss-filter.

JET ALUM/SAKE EXPERT JOHN GAUNTNER

John Gauntner is a JET alum and noted lecturer on sake who travels the world to speak all about this appealing beverage. He has published a score of books on the topic and spoke at Japan Society last May. Visit his website www.sake-world.com.

ISSHONI LONDON – JET ALUM BLOG

London JET alum Vanessa Villalobos writes about Japan-related events, news, review and interviews. This would be a good Q&A piece for any JETs wanting to learn more about how our alumni groups operate overseas. Learn more at:

www.isshonilondon.co.uk

www.facebook.com/pages/Isshoni-London/119415767689

www.twitter.com/IsshoniVanessa

TEAMTEACHERS.COM

An innovative telecommunications site for Team Teaching, founded by a JET. www.teamteachers.com

JETSET – CANADIAN JETS IN JAPAN

Melissa C. runs JETset, a site for Canadian JETs in Japan and a well-known resource center for JET participants. See more for a profile at http://www.jetsetjapan.com.

***JAPAN WORLD***

 10/21-11/11 – SION SONO FILM SERIES AT THE MUSEUM OF ARTS AND DESIGN

Chainsaws, serial killers, and mutant hair extensions merge harmoniously with true love, coming of age, and the delicate family dynamics in the bracingly original cinema of Sion Sono. Known for his fiercely independent roots, Sono elegantly crafts together stories of cults, horror, and violence with themes like individual alienation, the desperate desire for love, and the often-brutal reality of life in contemporary society. For a list of upcoming films, visit http://madmuseum.org/series/sion-sono

11/4-11/6 – JAPAN ART MATSURI

One of America’s largest Japanese art & music festivals, the 9th annual Amnet Japan Art Mtsuri (JAM) will be held from Friday, November 4th through Sunday, November 6th at the Theater for the New City in Manhattan’s East Village. Guests include popular taiko troupe COBU, classical sensation Taka Kigawa, and Don’t Give Up, a 2011 Grammy Award-nominated gospel choir produced by Danny Eason, a highly-recognized gospel music director, and Yoko Uchiki, the producer for Gospel Now 2001. http://japanesenetwork.org/en/amnet-jam

11/10-27 – JUN KIM’S NEW PLAY KUTSUKAKE TOKIJIRO PREMIERE

The Flea Theater of New York presents Kurotama Kikaku's production of KUTSUKAKE TOKIJIRO conceived, adapted, and directed by Jun Kim based on the popular 1928 Japanese play by Shin Hasegawa. Performances begin November 10 at The Flea Theater in
Tribeca. KUTSUKAKE TOKIJIRO is a traditional Japanese gangster story that explores the themes of love, obligation and self-sacrifice. Kurotama Kikaku’s version of Kutsukake Tokijiro keeps the essence of traditional Taishu Engeki and fuses it with 21st Century’s J-pop culture. www.kurotamakikaku.com

SACHIYO ITO DANCE COMPANY ARTICLE: 30^th ANNIVERSARY PROFILE

Sachiyo Ito and Company is the only dance group in New York City to perform Japanese classical dance, Okinawan dance, and contemporary works based on these traditions. They recently hosted their 30th Anniversary Concert near New York’s Lincoln Center on October 23, expressing the beauty of Japanese culture, taking the audience from medieval Japan to present day through dance and live music. Takers are invited to write about Sachiyo Ito or review an upcoming concert. www.dancejapan.com

KYUSHU BATTENKAI OF NEW YORK

Since last summer, JETAA NY has joined forces with the Kyushu Battenkai (an association of Japanese from Kyushu living in New York), and more than 60 participants attended the group’s Fall Gathering earlier this month. As New York is home to many other similar prefecture associations, this team up is a model for future JETAA Chapter-Prefectural Association events. The Battenkai’s president would be happy to get in touch with any JET writer interested in a Q&A or a feature article about the organization and its ties with JETAA.

WHERE DO YOU GET YOUR JAPAN FIX?

In an effort to revive the “Japan Fix” posts, we’d like to share a recent discoveries to help readers find a little piece of Japan close to home.  How do you get your Japan fix wherever you live?

ROBIN SAKAI OF GAIJIN POT

Gaijin Pot is a site that offers jobs, apartments and classifieds in Japan. Run by Robin Sakai, it strives to bring the Japanese and expat community together.

REVIEW OF JAPANESE LANGUAGE STUDY OPTIONS IN THE NY AREA

JETWit would like to add a listing as well as a possible review of Japanese language study options in the New York area. One of these is Hills Learning, founded by Jon Hills, who works with JETs in New York to promote his learning center, which teaches four languages to children and adults. Jon also co-presents monthly Asian networking events. Jon is open to a profile. Learn more at www.hillslearning.com.

MOVIE/BOOK/RESTAURANT REVIEWS

JETWit is accepting reviews on any Japanese restaurant that you’d like to spread the word about. (Even better if they’re run by JETs.) JET alum Jamie Graves works for Kajitsu, an East Village restaurant in New York specializing in shojin cuisine, an ancient Japanese culinary practice developed in Zen Buddhist monasteries.

CONSULATE GENERAL SCHOOL CARAVAN

This is a decade-plus program run by New York’s Consulate General of Japan that sends consulate staff (American and Japanese) to New York high schools and junior high schools to introduce students to Japanese culture, and JET alums have even served as presenters! The purpose of this article will be to increase awareness of the program so more JETAA members can get involved.

KEIO ACADEMY OF NEW YORK

Based in Purchase, NY, Keio Academy is a school for bilingual and bicultural education established by its Tokyo namesake.  Besides the various activities the school offers, it also seeks to recruit JET alums for potential work opportunities.  We can put you in touch with their business officer, who is happy ro speak with more JETs about the subject.

ASIA SOCIETY OF NEW YORK

In Jan. 2010, NYC’s Asia Society held a concert called “Hogaku,” or Japanese folk instruments played with modern flair. We’ve never profiled Asia Society, so this would be a great time to find out more about how they select their Japanese attractions and exhibitions.

JAPAN INFORMATION CENTER OF NEW YORK

Profile. Take advantage of Japan Information Center to promote Japan!
The Japan Information Center (JIC) is the cultural and public affairs section of the Consulate General of Japan in New York. The JIC distributes educational materials, posters and pamphlets on Japan, provides speakers on various aspects of Japan to the schools throughout this region, Provides information on the Japanese Government Scholarships & the JET Program, distributes the e-newsletter Japan Info, and loans videos/DVDs and cultural artifacts.

*Note: If you apply for this position, please let them know you learned of it from JetWit. Thanks.

—————————————————————————————————————–

Job Position: Server at Kajitsu, one of New York’s premiere Japanese fine dining restaurants.

Job Details:

About us: Kajitsu is one of New York’s top Japanese restaurants. In the nearly two years since it’s opening the restaurant has been awarded 2 Stars from the prestigious Michelin Guide, one of only 8 restaurants in New York to be selected for 2011. Kajitsu serves shojin-ryori, the vegetarian predecessor to kaiseki cuisine. More information at www.kajitsunyc.com.

Applicants should friendly and organized, and have an interest in Japanese cuisine and food culture. Experience in restaurant service and knowledge of spoken Japanese are a big plus. Work environment is friendly but professional, and very team oriented.

Excellent pay and flexible schedule, working 2-3 nights a week.

How to apply:

Interested applicants should contact us at info@kajitsunyc.com. Please paste your resume in the body of the email, attachments will not be opened.

Also, we are now looking for a volunteer who’s skilled in graphic design to help us create a modified JetWit logo! Anyone who wants to get in touch on this can also do so at the e-mail above.

***JET WORLD***

JET ALUM IN UPCOMING DOCUMENTARY ON JAPANESE VIDEO ARCADES

Casey Novotny (Kochi-ken, CIR and Prefectural Advisor) now works at Asia University, and was interviewed as a talking head for the upcoming documentary film 100 Yen: The Japanese Arcade Experience. The film is currently in production, and Casey is happy to share his experiences of being contacted for this unique film for a feature story or interview.

JET ALUMS DEVELOP JAPANESE FLASH APP

Mark Makdad, founder of software company Long Weekend Mobile, has developed with his partner Ross Sharrott the Japanese Flash vocabulary builder app for iPhone, as well as the Rikai Browser for iPad for reading Japanese. Interested in giving these products a spin and writing about them?

JET ALUM MICHAEL JIM GANNON PROFILE

Jim Gannon (Ehime 1992-94) has been the executive director of the Japan Center for International Exchange (JCIE/USA) in New York since 2002. Headquartered in Tokyo, JCIE is one of the leading international affairs organizations in Japan. Jim was also the writer of the “JET Program on the Chopping Block” article published last summer. Talk to him about his work, Japan, and the continuing efforts to support JET in light of what’s happening in Tokyo.

PROFILE A SEATTLE-AREA JET ALUM

Kirsten Henning, Vice President of the Japanese Cultural & Community Center of Washington, is a senior project manager at Pyramid Communications and serves as an active volunteer for the Girl Scouts and Densho. Prior to joining Pyramid, Kirsten worked at the Seattle Mariners as media liaison and interpreter for Ichiro Suzuki and the Japanese press corps and then went on to manage media relations for Team Japan, champions of the inaugural World Baseball Classic. She spent the previous six years in Japan as a JET Program participant and later as special VIP liaison at Park Hyatt Tokyo. She holds a B.A. in East Asian Studies from Barnard College of Columbia University and also studied at the Stanford University Japan Center in Kyoto, Japan.

JET INSTANT NOODLE COMICS

Profile of JET alum artist Shun Endo and his “JET Instant Noodle Comics.” Read samples at http://jetwit.com/wordpress/2010/10/25/instant-noodle-comics-i-wish-facebook-had-the-boss-filter.

JET ALUM/SAKE EXPERT JOHN GAUNTNER

John Gauntner is a JET alum and noted lecturer on sake who travels the world to speak all about this appealing beverage. He has published a score of books on the topic and spoke at Japan Society last May. Visit his website www.sake-world.com.

ISSHONI LONDON – JET ALUM BLOG

London JET alum Vanessa Villalobos writes about Japan-related events, news, review and interviews. This would be a good Q&A piece for any JETs wanting to learn more about how our alumni groups operate overseas. Learn more at:

www.isshonilondon.co.uk

www.facebook.com/pages/Isshoni-London/119415767689

www.twitter.com/IsshoniVanessa

TEAMTEACHERS.COM 

An innovative telecommunications site for Team Teaching, founded by a JET. www.teamteachers.com

JETSET – CANADIAN JETS IN JAPAN

Melissa C. runs JETset, a site for Canadian JETs in Japan and a well-known resource center for JET participants. See more for a profile at http://www.jetsetjapan.com.

***JAPAN WORLD***

WHERE DO YOU GET YOUR JAPAN FIX?

In an effort to revive the “Japan Fix” posts, we’d like to share a recent discoveries to help readers find a little piece of Japan close to home.  How do you get your Japan fix wherever you live? Write it down and send it to Gail Cetnar Meadows (Hiroshima-shi, 2007-10), co-founder of Hiroshima JET webzine the Wide Island View, at gail [at] jetwit.com for the entertainment and benefit of the JET alum community.

ROBIN SAKAI OF GAIJIN POT

Gaijin Pot is a site that offers jobs, apartments and classifieds in Japan. Run by Robin Sakai, it strives to bring the Japanese and expat community together.

REVIEW OF JAPANESE LANGUAGE STUDY OPTIONS IN THE NY AREA

JetWit would like to add a listing as well as a possible review of Japanese language study options in the New York area. One of these is Hills Learning, founded by Jon Hills, who works with JETs in New York to promote his learning center, which teaches four languages to children and adults. Jon also co-presents monthly Asian networking events. Jon is open to a profile. Learn more at www.hillslearning.com.

RESTAURANT REVIEWS

JetWit is accepting reviews on any Japanese restaurant that you’d like to spread the word about. (Even better if they’re run by JETs.) JET alum Jamie Graves runs Kajitsu, an East Village restaurant in New York specializing in shojin cuisine, an ancient Japanese culinary practice developed in Zen Buddhist monasteries.

FILM/BOOK REVIEW

We are also accepting reviews or books and movies (past and present) related to Japan or the JET experience. Whether you’re checking out the theatrical release of a new anime film or digging into new translations of Natsume Soseki’s classics Kokoro and Sanshiro (coming this February), let us be your sounding board.

GOHAN SOCIETY OF NEW YORK

Profile. Based in New York, Gohan Society’s mission is to foster an understanding and appreciation of Japan’s culinary heritage in the United States through outreach to chefs, culinary arts professionals and all who admire and enjoy Japanese culture.

Gohan Society serves as a resource center for knowledge of traditional Japanese ingredients, techniques and food-related products, and as a catalyst for the expansion of that knowledge in the United States.

CONSULATE GENERAL SCHOOL CARAVAN

This is a decade-plus program run by New York’s Consulate General of Japan that sends consulate staff (American and Japanese) to New York high schools and junior high schools to introduce students to Japanese culture, and JET alums have even served as presenters! The purpose of this article will be to increase awareness of the program so more JETAA members can get involved. 

KEIO ACADEMY OF NEW YORK

Based in Purchase, NY, Keio Academy is a school for bilingual and bicultural education established by its Tokyo namesake.  Besides the various activities the school offers, it also seeks to recruit JET alums for potential work opportunities.  We can put you in touch with their business officer, who is happy ro speak with more JETs about the subject.

ASIA SOCIETY OF NEW YORK

In Jan. 2010, NYC’s Asia Society held a concert called “Hogaku,” or Japanese folk instruments played with modern flair. We’ve never profiled Asia Society, so this would be a great time to find out more about how they select their Japanese attractions and exhibitions.

JAPAN INFORMATION CENTER OF NEW YORK

Profile. Take advantage of Japan Information Center to promote Japan!
The Japan Information Center (JIC) is the cultural and public affairs section of the Consulate General of Japan in New York. The JIC’s Services:

 - Distributes educational materials, posters and pamphlets on Japan
- Provides speakers on various aspects of Japan to the schools throughout
this region
- Provides information on the Japanese Government Scholarships & the JET
Program
- Distributes the e-newsletter Japan Info
- Loans videos/DVDs and cultural artifacts

Please sign up to subscribe the Japan Info newsletter at www.ny.us.emb-japan.go.jp/en/c/ji_subscription.html.

For more information and to contact JIC, visit their website at www.ny.us.emb-japan.go.jp/en/b/01.html.

By Steven Horowitz (Aichi-ken, 1992-94)

Just wanted to share that I had a really terrific dinner the other night at Kajitsu (www.kajitsunyc.com), a new and very unique Japanese restaurant on E. 9th Street in NYC, thanks to professional translator Jamie Graves (Saitama-ken, 2002-03) who not only waits tables in the intimate establishment but also translates the menu and other texts for Kajitsu and interprets for important clients.

Kajitu's Chef Masato Nishihara

Jamie, who specializes in translations relating to food and cooking, explained to me a few months ago at a JETAA NY gathering that he was working at a restaurant that specializes in shojin cuisine, which as a non-foodie I can best describe as a sort of high-end, vegan kaiseki.  The chef, Masato Nishihara,  had worked at Kitcho, a very prestigious kaiseki cuisine restaurant in Kyoto before coming to New York to open Kajitsu.

I can’t remember exactly what I ate, but each course did really blow me away in terms of both flavors and creativity.  Plus the soba dipping noodles may be the best in NYC.  The menu changes every month, so apparently a number of regulars come back each month to sample the new menu.

The fare is not inexpensive.  But it’s well worth it if you have a special occasion to celebrate (which I did!)  Especially if you get a seat at the counter where you can watch Chef Nishihara prepare each course right front of you, including his zen-like tea ceremony approach to making the macha at the end of the meal.  (According to Jamie, all chefs at Kitcho must study tea ceremony.)

From the March "Spring" menu: Clear Soup with Sticky Rice Ball Mugwort, Rice Crackers.

Here’s a little additional background on Kajitsu from it’s website:

Kajitsu – “Fine Day”
Kajitsu means “fine day”, or “day of celebration” in Japanese. We have chosen the name Kajitsu hoping that a visit here will always be a special occasion for our guests.

Shojin Cuisine
Shojin cuisine refers to a type of vegetarian cooking that originates in Zen Buddhism. Even though it does not use meat or fish, shojin is regarded as the foundation of all Japanese cuisine, especially kaiseki, the Japanese version of haute cuisine.

If you decide you have your own special occasion, make sure to say hi to Jamie and ask him all of your questions about the restaurant and the food.  There’s lots to tell and lots to learn.

Kajitsu (www.kajitsunyc.com) is on E. 9th St between 1st Ave & Avenue A in New York City.

Via the Honyaku group:

Spotted two job postings on the Honyaku discussion group today both for experienced Japanese to English translators. One asks for applicants with a legal background, the other for people with experience in technical translation.

For more info check out the original post.

Via the Honyaku group:

Dates: conference dates are: 8/18, 19, 21, 23 and 25
Location: Sacramento, California
Subject: company meeting, dealing with agricultural issues (they are a
prune grower)
Notes: They will pay transportation, but _no lodging_.

If you are interested please contact Luis Miguel at Avant Page in Davis,
CA (l…@avantpage.com)

You find the original post here.

Via the Honyaku discussion group:

We are looking for J>E translators for a fast-moving, high volume project.
The subjects are electronics, business documents and financial documents. If
you are interested in joining a highly committed gorup of language
professionals and can work at a high rate of output for the next 5
weeks this is a good job for you. Minimum output is 8000 words per week.
THERE IS NO MAXIMUM – WORK AS MUCH AS YOU CAN! Please provide a bi-text
sample of your work, your rate per English word and your potential output of
words per week to pmitz…@linguist.com . Thanks!

By translator and writer Jamie Graves (Saitama-Ken 2002-2003)

Periods of great filmmaking seem to flower only under certain conditions, none of which seem to last very long. A relatively stable and industrialized society is needed just to provide the materials and conditions to shoot films, but truly great filmmaking only seems to spring up in the aftermath of huge social upheavals. The images of poverty and brutality in Italian Neo-Realist masterpieces like “The Bicycle Thief” and “Open City” had a jarring immediacy springing out of a society that had been rocked by poverty, a bloody invasion, and an increasingly oppressive regime. America cinema of the 1970s wrestled an increasingly fragmented society of alienated individuals in masterpieces like “Godfather Part II”, “Dog Day Afternoon”, and “Taxi Driver”. Recently places as disparate as Korea and Iran have begun to produce filmmakers whose works crackle and pulse with an immediacy missing from most American filmmaking. Something has been propelling them not just to make movies that can get made, but that they feel must get made.

It is widely acknowledged that Japanese cinema of the 1950s and 1960s popped with this sort of immediacy. Some mysterious confluence of a permissive studio system open to experimentation, a public hungry for rich, complex films and a generation of filmmakers with ambitious visions for cinema produced some of the world’s greatest moving pictures. From Akira Kurosawa’s brisk and savagely painted “Rashomon” and “Seven Samurai” to Yasujiro Ozu’s quiet and heartbreaking “Tokyo Story” and Kenji Mizoguchi’s exquisite and baroque “Tale of Ugetsu”, the era overflows with masterpieces that grapple with the essential questions of what it means to be moral, to be good, to be human. No film I have seen from the period addresses this as directly and as powerfully as the 1959 film “The Human Condition”.

Maybe because the era is so crowded with good work, and maybe because of its epic scale and length, Maskaki Kobayashi’s  “The Human Condition” (Ningen no Joken) is little known against many of the other masterpieces of the time. It has never been released on video in the US, and due to its sprawling running time of 9 ½ hours (spread out over three parts), it has rarely been shown in theaters. It showed for a few weeks in 2008 at New York’s Film Forum, and due to popular demand will be back again for a brief eight days starting tomorrow, April 8th.

You probably almost stopped reading this after you saw the phrase “9 ½ hours” but I’m going to do my best to convince you to take the time to get down to Film Forum on West Houston street sometime in the next week and catch at least one part of this incredible film. I was lucky enough to see all three parts of this last year, and I was completely enthralled for the full running time. As a visual experience it is nearly perfect, as an emotional experience it is tremendous.

Set during Japan’s occupation of Manchuria during World War II, the story follows one Japanese idealist as he attempts to reform and soften humanize the brutal imperial system. As the character makes his way from managing Chinese prisoners to fighting against the Soviet army to fleeing across Manchurian landscape, the entire scope of Japan’s short lived empire is painted out in the story of a single individual. Perhaps most remarkable is the pacing of the film; it hurtles from scene to scene, tension and suspense building like a political thriller. I kept thinking of great Russian novels with their explosive mixture of plot, well drawn characters, and thick questions into the nature of love, war, misery, cruelty, and yes, what it means to be human. (The Japanese title, “Ningen no Joken” means something closer to “The Conditions to be Being Human” than “The Human Condition”.)

As played by Japanese acting legend Tatsuya Nakadai, the protagonist Kaji seeps into nearly every frame of the film. In Japanese cinema Nakadai was something of a Marlon Brando or a Paul Newman; despite a face built for a bland leading man, he possesses a deep emotional intelligence that allowed him to disappear into difficult and demanding roles. As written in the screenplay, his character in “The Human Condition” is almost Christlike in his mix of intelligence, strength and compassion, but Nakadai somehow projects a fragility and humility that is incredibly compelling. His progress from idealist to pragmatist to a man simply scraping to survive is so fluid and natural you barely notice the change until after it has occurred. This is one of the great performances in the history of movies.

Made not even fifteen years after Japan’s surrender to the Allies, “The Human Condition” is the kind of film that was made not just because it could be made, but because it needed to be made. Just like the main character, the director served as a foot soldier against the Russians on the Chinese mainland. Despite his intelligence and obvious leadership qualities however, Kobayashi never rose above the rank of private. For years he chose to remain at the lowest possible rank, subject to the whim of short tempered and overworked officers, simply on principle. As he and his countrymen attempted to rebuild their country and their lives in the years following the war, the legacy of what they had seen and done continued to haunt them. Out of the stability of post-war Japan and the horrors of wartime memories we get “The Human Condition”, one of Japanese cinema’s greatest achievements and one of my favorite all time films.

The three parts of “The Human Condition” will be playing at Film Forum tomorrow, April 8th through Thursday, April 16th. More information available at http://www.filmforum.org/films/human.html.

The Google Honyaku group has a great discussion going on trying to pin down exactly what physical sensation karai (辛い) refers to. The easiest English analogy is “spicy“, and it’s often used to refer to hot foods, but as I learned from a few years of working in restaurant kitchens in Japan, the word can also refer to anything that’s a little too salty, too strong (dark Belgian beer with a high alcohol content) , or strongly flavored (sun-dried tomatoes).

People even provide examples of native Japanese speakers (NJS’s) using karai to describe such disparate flavors as minty Colgate toothpaste or cola.

As Marc Adler ably sums it up, “Anything that is over-stimulative of the mouth gets labeled as ‘karai.’ I think we just don’t have a single word in English that covers all of karai’s lexical bases.”

Case in point, the word used to describe a dry wine is kara-kuchi (辛口), which isn’t by any stretch of the imagination “spicy”. Laurie Berman supplies an excellent and concise theory about this:

My impression is that [karai] 辛い and [amai, "sweet"] 甘い are regarded as opposites, and  as a result, [amai] 甘い can be used to mean “not [karai] 辛い,” and [karai] 辛い can sometimes be used to mean “not [amai] 甘い”–which is how I interpret [karai] 辛口.

Does anyone else have an example of an unusual food that they heard a native Japanese speaker refer to as karai?

The Japanese language is notorious for having a relatively small number of phonemes compared to other major world languages, which can be a hindrance when having to learn new sounds outside that structure (the infamous “L” and “R” distinction), but results in a tremendous number of homonyms. While there are slight changes in emphasis between the words for “hair”, “god” and “paper”, they are all kami. I think we can safely assume that the Japanese have been making linguistic tricks like this into bad puns for centuries, if not millennia.

When the Chinese writing system first crash landed onto the Japanese language around fifteen-hundred years ago no one could have predicted the historical fallout:  an explosion of bad puns. As Chinese characters were gradually adapted to Japanese, all of the tones that had previously distinguished words like“mǎ” (“horse”, 馬) from “má” (“hemp” 麻) were flattened out. In a language already rife with nearly identical words, this produced a new explosion of homonyms, the building blocks of puns. (The Chinese also use these for puns. In an effort to mess with government censors the phrase 草泥马, “grass-mud-horse” has gone viral on the Chinese blogosphere because the same sounds with different tones mean… something not really printable here. ( This page explains the whole phenomenon.)

Case in point, the furious Japanese tongue twister “Uraniwa niwa niwa, niwa niwa niwa, niwatori ari”. (裏庭には二羽、庭には二羽、鶏あり). Niwa in this case is both the word for “garden” (native Japanese), “two birds” (derived from Chinese), and two grammatical particles indicating  the object of the sentence and the location. This sprightly little sentence is simply conveying that there are two chickens in the back yard, and another two in the front yard.

With compulsory English education flooding the country in the last fifty years, the Japanese language now has a massive new vocabulary of improperly understood words to wrangle into bad puns. Just like Chinese tones were jettisoned for flat syllables, nuances of English pronunciation between “she” and “sea” are being dragged into Japanese.

I started thinking about all this from a discussion on the Google Honyaku translators forum. Edward Lipsett brought up an ad he’d seen on the train that advertised a line of seafood flavored snacks.

Hanging in front of the door was a two-panel ad
featuring a line of seafood-flavor snacks (ebi and stuff), and across the
top it read

シー
おいSEA

シー
たのSEA

This set off a wave of recollections of similarly terrible puns, none of which I will dignify by repeating. If your curiosity gets the better of you you can read the entire thread here.

While President Obama’s name has proved remarkably compatible with the Japanese language (I wish MY name were that easy to write in kanji), his eloquent rhetoric has proved a little bit more difficult. There is currently an excellent discussion on the Google Honyaku Group about how to translate the now iconic phrase “The Audacity of Hope“. The title of the official Japanese translation of the book conveys only one meaning of the phrase, meaning something like “Revitalizing America, By Embracing Large Hopes”. You can find the discussion on how to accurately render the poetic brevity of “The Audacity of Hope” here.

I thought the first suggestion “あえての希望” (Aete-no-kibo, “daring to hope”) best captured the succinctness of the original phrase. It was followed by many interesting, and occasionally very funny suggestions, as well as some fascinating digressions on what exactly the meaning and feeling of the word “Audacity” are in the original phrase.

Particularly interesting was how people were looking for something to convey the brash feeling of audacity, how the phrase relates to the already popular “Boys Be Ambitious” (青年よ大志を抱け), and the slightly dark (and prescient) joke that “オーダシティ” may soon enter the Japanese language as is.

For those who are interested, Dwight Van Winkle posted an interesting link to a list of official translations of the “The Audacity of Hope” in many different languages.

In case you haven’t seen this yet, a totally charming little YouTube video shot in a kaiten-zushi place in Hokkaido.

That parade of faces is absolutely priceless.

********

By translator and writer Jamie Graves (Saitama-Ken 2002-2003)

If you studied Japanese at the college level, your first exposure to the language most likely came from the red and black circles of Eleanor Harz Jorden’s seminal textbook “Japanese: The Spoken Language.” Jorden recently passed away at the age of 89, having spent her entire adult life studying and teaching Japanese linguistics to English speakers. Jorden was part of the generation of Japanese scholars that became active and influential just after World War II, and whose work laid the foundations for modern study and understanding of Japan in the English speaking world. When the translations of Donald Keene and Edward Seidensticker inspired many to study Japanese language and literature, it was often the system Jorden developed that they used to learn it.

As a linguist, Jorden was extremely concerned with accuracy and precision. Switching to Japanese in the middle of my junior year, I moved from the copiously illustrated “Genki” series of textbooks, with its illustrated storyline of Mary-san the exchange student slowly learning Japanese language and culture, to Jorden’s blocky and forbidding introduction. There were no photos, illustrations or cultural asides in Jorden’s book, just rows of text and the occasional explanatory table. Instead of hellos and introductions the book begins like a science text, defining its most basic terms. “Mora is the term we will use to refer to the syllable-like unit of Japanese: each mora represents one beat and occupies roughly the same unit of time (a 3-mora word takes three times as long to pronounce as a 1-mora word).”

On top of the crackling prose, the Japanese words in the book looked strange and unpronounceable. In an attempt to root out inconsistencies in the commonly used Hepburn system, Jorden had invented her own way of writing Japanese using the roman alphabet. In her JSL romanization system the Japanese capital would be written as “Tookyoo” to better reflect the drawn out vowels. Emphasis within words were indicated by a new series of accent marks. 日本 “Japan” would be written as nihôn and 二本 “two bottles” as nîhon.

The books were dry as dirt, but the plodding and methodical program cut through any early confusion on the language. This wasn’t about picking up helpful phrases or fun cultural quirks, it was like studying principles of physics. I didn’t particularly enjoy using Jorden’s books, and her JSL system is bewildering when familiar words are mangled into spellings like “tunami,” but there was something comforting in the exactness of her explanations. Languages are fluid and messy, but Jorden did her best to pin down the grammar points and accents until they lay there wriggling on the table, clearly defined in all their peculiarities.

When asked, I always recommend standard illustrated books like “Genki” and “Japanese for Busy People” for people just starting to study Japanese. Instead of a treatise on the indication of subject and object using “wa” and “ga” they just tell you how to find your way to the damn train station. But for all its mind numbing complexity, Jorden’s system is an honest attempt to rip out conventional thinking or shortcuts on Japanese, and to confront it just as it is, slippery syllables and all.

Hello my loyal readers and welcome to the new on-line version of the Society Page column about JET alumni!

But enough about you, let’s talk about last night’s JETAA New York Happy Hour at Revival (15th St & Irving Place).  For some reason, over 30 JET alums came out and took over the second floor of the place despite cho-beri-samui evening weather, perhaps incentivized by the happy hour deals, extended to 8pm thanks to JETAA Social Coordinator Monica Yuki’s Manhattan-style negotiating savvy.

WKRP in New York? Many in attendance were bikkuri-shita‘d by the sudden yet now-predictable annual surprise appearance of John Sandoval (Mie-ken, 1992-95), who was in from Cincinnati on Procter & Gamble business.  Apparently there aren’t enough karaoke nights in Marge Schott’s furusato (though if JET alum Cincy native Jimmy Jackson has his way, there may be some of those coming soon)….Meanwhile, Queens-ken was in the house last night courtesy of super-teacher Cindy Hoffman, with Brooklyn-ken represented by translator Jamie Graves and NHK Associate Producer Marea Pariser as well as by Wynne Wu and Steven Too.  Even New Jersey-ken sent party delegates including JTB employee Chau Lam and Seton Hall grad student Glen Milan….Thanks to Nandita, now a Manhattan-jin since she took over brother Neel’s apartment after he skipped town for Nashville to finish his M.D.), “disco nap” became the English vocab lesson for the night…And Marea had the story of the night, explaining how she needed to find a family in the NY area that would let the NHK morning show crew film its Thanksgiving dinner live from the family’s home.  Turns out they found a farming family outside the city that sells to the Green Markets and was thrilled to host NHK.  Why?  Because their daughter was a JET, married a Japanese guy, and now lives in Nagano.  All of which means that now she’ll be able to see her family on Thanksgiving live from Japan! (Sugoi yo!)….JETs Are Everywhere Moment: When a random lad from the rowdy, neighboring non-JET crowd rushing out the door paused to read Steven’s shirt (JETAA NY – 日本語分るよ!) and blurted, “Man, I do understand Japanese!  I’m a JET!” and continued on his misguided way….As the JET crowd eventually dissipated and the second floor was taken over by cult of people brainwashed to believe that singing along with “Piano Man” is never a bad decision, Monica led a small crew of JET alum detritus to Stand (12th St & University) for pricey but tasty burgers, shakes and potato sticks, not to mention an educational “tramp stamp” citing.

That’s all for this edition.  See you in the JetWit future.

Tokoro de, Yoku Shitteiru welcomes the sharing of any JET-related info from any JET-related events as well as news of engagements, weddings, births, new jobs and other fun and JET-worthy items.  Just send an e-mail to yokushitteiru/atto/jetwit /dotto/com.

I wondered if there is a more direct translation for “risk averse” and also for “risk taker,” and so I put the question out to the WIT Group this morning, just for fun, which resulted in the below responses.  (Thanks to professional interpreters/translators George Rose, Joel Dechant, Stacy Smith and Jamie Graves for their responses.)

***********
risk averse: リスク嫌い or リスクを嫌う人 (risukugirai or risuku o kirau hito)

risk taker: リスクを恐れない人 (risuku o osorenai hito)

***********
リスク嫌い　for “risk-averse”

Although I think something more colloquial might be more suitable. i.e.
リスクを避けようとする

And to get nice and Japanese for “risk taker,” I say
チャレンジャー

***********
The yomikata is “risk girai no” (someone who hates risks)/”kiken wo saketagaru you na” (someone who tends to avoid risks) and “risk wo ou hito” (someone who accepts the burden of risks (on his/her back))/”bouken suru hito” (an adventurer)/”risk wo osorenai” (someone who doesn’t fear risks).

***********
Two people also both strongly recommended Alc.co.jp, the definitive Japanese-English online dictionary, from a translation company, constantly being updated and supplemented by completed translations from their company.

“Risk Averse”:

http://eow.alc.co.jp/risk+averse/UTF-8/?ref=sa

And for “Risk Taker”:

http://eow.alc.co.jp/risk+taker/UTF-8/

**********

Have more to say on the topic?  Post your comment below.

We once again invited JET alums and Friends of JET (i.e., anyone who wants) to take their best shot at translating a selected text. Why? Well, mostly to entertain, but also to give the greater JET alum community a chance to show their stuff as well as give the rest of us a fun way to study up on our nihongo.

The selected text for this edition of the Translators Challenge is an excerpt from “Political Science,” the satirical 1972 song by Randy Newman.

Prize:  $25 gift certificate to BOOK OFF, the discount Japanese boookstore on 41st St. between Madison & 5th Aves.

Asia’s crowded and Europe’s too old
Africa is far too hot
And Canada’s too cold
And South America stole our name
Let’s drop the big one
There’ll be no one left to blame us
We’ll save Australia
Don’t wanna hurt no kangaroo
We’ll build an all-American
amusement park there
They got surfin’, too

Click here to see/hear “Political Science” on YouTube.

********************
THE WINNER!

Mia Simring
(CIR Aichi-ken, 2004-06)

Omedetou gozaimashita on
her second straight win!

********************

アジア込みすぎ、
ヨーロッパダサすぎ
アフリカなんて暑くて
カナダ　－　寒すぎ
南アメリカ　－　我が名を盗んだ

世界をぶっ潰そう
反対する人間を消しちまおう

カンガルー可愛いから
オーストラリアだけ助けよう
アメリカン遊園地
そこで作るぞ！

Ajia komisugi,
Yoroppa dasasugi
Afurika nante atsukute
Kanada – samusugi
Minami Amerika – wa ga na wo nusunda

Sekai wo buttsubusou
Hantai suru ningen wo keshichimaou

Kangaru – kawaii kara
Osutoraria dake tasukeyou
Amerikan yuenchi
Soko de tsukuru zo!

********************

COMMENTARY

Special thanks to professional translator Jamie Graves (Shizuoka-ken, 2002-03) for providing some commentary and insight.

Mia clearly put a lot of thought into changing the distinctly American rhythms and humor of a folk song into Japanese.

I was impressed at how Mia managed to avoid direct translation, instead finding uniquely Japanese ways of expressing the value judgements in the song. Instead of directly saying “old” in the line “Europe’s too old” she used ダサイ(dasai, “not with it, uncool”), which conveys the contempt a lot better.

She was also very good on keeping the translated text rhythmic and simple, replacing a potentially messy translation of “Don’t wanna hurt no kangaroo” with “カンガルー可愛いから” (kangaroo kawaii kara), which manages to keep the humor and simplicity of the original. She even managed to rhyme the last verse!

Cheleen, Kia (CIR, Aichi-ken 1996-98, ALT 1998-1999) – Seasoned Japanese-English translator and interpreter with experience working in the Japanese government and for the United Nations.  Translation and interpreting topic experience includes: international relations, education, pedagogy, linguistics, beauty/cosmetics, business, culture, cooking/culinary and government.  Available for Japanese-English translation projects, as well as consecutive interpreting, whispering, meeting interpretation, on-site interpretation and escort interpretation.  Currently work as a translator and copy manager for Shiseido Co., Ltd. in the International Marketing Department and also as a freelance translator, interpreter and writer.

Graves, Jamie (Shizuoka-ken, Tenryu-shi, 2002-03)- Wide range of translation experience, including turning marketing copy into natural, appealing English, specialized technical writing, and fiction. Extensive background in Japanese cuisine, including two years cooking experience at restaurants in Japan. Japanese Proficiency Test Level 1 (2006).

Smith, Stacy (CIR Kumamoto-ken, 2000-03) – Translation experience in a variety of fields, from short stories, plays and documentaries to business plans, economic articles and legal documents. Serves as contract interpreter for the State Department and provides tours for Japanese visitors to Yankees Stadium. Proficiency Test Level 1 and JETRO Business Test Level 2. Volunteer interpreter at 2002 Ishigaki World Cup Triathlon and on Peace Boat (Summer 2007)

Dechant, Joel (CIR Fukuoka-ken, Makizono-cho, 2001-04) – Fukuoka-based translation and interpreting consultant. Fields include higher education, government policy, marketing, tourism, and more. Large jobs are no problem with my global network of freelancer and agency contacts. Japanese Language Proficiency Test Level 1 and JETRO Business Test Level J1+. Kirishima (Kagoshima) Tourism Ambassador and Beppu Hot Spring Master to boot! (Proof: http://www.japanprobe.com/?p=630)

Ishikawa, Junko (New York) – Originally from Tokyo, Junko is an accomplished interpreter as well as a seasoned Japanese-English translator and linguistic consultant with experience having worked for various organizations, including NGOs (Peace boat and Human Right Watch). In addition to being a Certified Nihongo Instructor and teaching various business professionals in New York, she also handles freelance English->Japanese translation assignments, freelance writing/journalism assignments, serves as a media business consultant for Stock Footage World and does research for Customized-Research.com.