I started to play Sepak Takraw last year, and challanged official games for the first time in December. Now, I am going to try a big tournament in Niigata prefecture this weekend. For me, Niigata was the place for skiing, not Sepak Takraw, but I knew the tournament is held every year there. I and four friends will participate in it.
Last weekend, We jined a practice of one of the biggest Sepak Takraw team in Tokyo, Ooyama Sepak Takraw Club. The club has a long history, and its level is high. Because we thought we have to experience a high level training before the tournament, we played with them.
As you can easily imagine, because the sport is very minor, they don't have enough money to manage their team. So, they use a small gymnasium of an elementary school for their training. On the other hand, our Atusgi team always use a big company's gymnasium for our practice. Training atomosphere seem to be beteer in Atsugi.
But, of course, the club's training level was high. It was a great experience for us.
To be honest, I am not an athlete type person. Only Sepak Takraw is not my aim to go to Niigata. Niigata has a very large rice field, and clean water. Yes. They are the two main components of Japanese Sake. That's why there are so many kinds of Sake in Niigata. Thus, I will drink Sake every night there. On the last day of the tournament, a big party is goimg to be arranged by Niigata people. I am looking forward to it.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Sunday, April 18, 2010
VS JOJO
The recent biggest news in Japanese publication must be "1Q84 vol.3" by Haruki Murakami. The novel was released on April. 16th. Some bookstores started to sell it from 0 o'clock on the day.
However, I have to pick up another book here. Even though the book is written in French, it was sold out soon after released here in Japan.
The tilte is "Rohan au Louvre".
It's a French comic by the author of a famous Japanese comic, "JOJO's strange adventure". This comic has many fans. Before it was released, the community of the fans were interested in the French comic very much. Thanks to the existence of JOJO fans in my company, we can almost exclusively import the book. (Even Amazon can't catch up with us for getting the stock.)
JOJO fans are fantastic. Even though they can't read French, they buy it!
The last day that I read JOJO was ten years ago. After that, I didn't keep in toudh with it, so I don't know the story now. But, certainly, the first impact of the comic was very big. The tone of the graphic was original. The usage of ONOPATOPOEIA was eccentric. I want to get its English version.
However, I have to pick up another book here. Even though the book is written in French, it was sold out soon after released here in Japan.
The tilte is "Rohan au Louvre".
It's a French comic by the author of a famous Japanese comic, "JOJO's strange adventure". This comic has many fans. Before it was released, the community of the fans were interested in the French comic very much. Thanks to the existence of JOJO fans in my company, we can almost exclusively import the book. (Even Amazon can't catch up with us for getting the stock.)
JOJO fans are fantastic. Even though they can't read French, they buy it!
The last day that I read JOJO was ten years ago. After that, I didn't keep in toudh with it, so I don't know the story now. But, certainly, the first impact of the comic was very big. The tone of the graphic was original. The usage of ONOPATOPOEIA was eccentric. I want to get its English version.
Saturday, April 03, 2010
VS MC
A week has passed since Haruka and Yuya's wedding party was successfully finished. I and Peter were the MCs for the day. The experience of MC was like the staying in the typhoon. That's why, after the typhoon has gone, it took a long time to look back to what it was, and understand what happened then.
First of all, it was a great wedding party. The foods and drinks were prepared for very well by the newlyweds. All attractions were exciting and interesting; boxer's punching mitt performance, karete fighter's plank breaking performance, and the race of drinking guava juice in a baby bottle.
I have to write about the great location of the wedding place, C33. It is located close to the sea. On a sunny day, the scenery from the party room is very beautiful, and on the day, it was thankfully sunny.
Before my MC job, I had thought MC was like Karaoke. The script was prepared. Music was set on each points through the party. It looked similer to the singing in a Karaoke room. But the reality was very diffrent. MC was like the singing with a live performance. So, I have to adjust to music players, another singer, and in addition the audience. Flexibility is important. And, it's the difficulty of the job. This experience was a great study for me.
Now, I am thinking I need to study it more. The good information I got from the people in the bridal industry was that they need more male MCs. I didn't say to them "I can.", but I understood they need the man like me. I think I will meet their expectation in the not-so-long future. Wait.
First of all, it was a great wedding party. The foods and drinks were prepared for very well by the newlyweds. All attractions were exciting and interesting; boxer's punching mitt performance, karete fighter's plank breaking performance, and the race of drinking guava juice in a baby bottle.
I have to write about the great location of the wedding place, C33. It is located close to the sea. On a sunny day, the scenery from the party room is very beautiful, and on the day, it was thankfully sunny.
Before my MC job, I had thought MC was like Karaoke. The script was prepared. Music was set on each points through the party. It looked similer to the singing in a Karaoke room. But the reality was very diffrent. MC was like the singing with a live performance. So, I have to adjust to music players, another singer, and in addition the audience. Flexibility is important. And, it's the difficulty of the job. This experience was a great study for me.
Now, I am thinking I need to study it more. The good information I got from the people in the bridal industry was that they need more male MCs. I didn't say to them "I can.", but I understood they need the man like me. I think I will meet their expectation in the not-so-long future. Wait.
Sunday, March 14, 2010
VS Moving Miyajima
An Aeon student and Sepack Takraw player, Masahiro Miyajima aka Miyazy will move to China, Shanghai soon. He will start to work there from April. Now he is going to Shanghai to find his living place. For last a few years, he had been to China for business many times. So, for his company, China seems to have a great business chance. At last, the company decides to send a staff staying there to China.
I heard that their original plan was a little later. But, maybe due to the speedy change of their business situation, he is going to Shangahi soon.
Because his contirbution on Atsugi was big, the lost of Miyajima must damage Atsugi community. We have to endure for a while. But for Shanghai, this is a good news. Also in Shanghai, he will contribute on the city.
Although many Japanese companies are going to economically growing China, Japanese publishing industry I belong to is not so possitive to enhance their bussiness to China. Because our business is basically based on the guarantee of the right of freedom of speech, many companies might think the business in China is still risky.
However, it is the fact that some Chinese companies are inviting Japanese publishing companies and bookstores to work with them in China. In the future, like other indutries, Japanese working in the publishing industry will have the chance to work in China.
My last visit of China was when? I forgot it. Long time no China.
Miyajima's moving is a good chance for me and other Atsugi people to visit China again.
I heard that their original plan was a little later. But, maybe due to the speedy change of their business situation, he is going to Shangahi soon.
Because his contirbution on Atsugi was big, the lost of Miyajima must damage Atsugi community. We have to endure for a while. But for Shanghai, this is a good news. Also in Shanghai, he will contribute on the city.
Although many Japanese companies are going to economically growing China, Japanese publishing industry I belong to is not so possitive to enhance their bussiness to China. Because our business is basically based on the guarantee of the right of freedom of speech, many companies might think the business in China is still risky.
However, it is the fact that some Chinese companies are inviting Japanese publishing companies and bookstores to work with them in China. In the future, like other indutries, Japanese working in the publishing industry will have the chance to work in China.
My last visit of China was when? I forgot it. Long time no China.
Miyajima's moving is a good chance for me and other Atsugi people to visit China again.
Sunday, February 21, 2010
VS Shop Management
Now I am manageing a small bookstore in a women's university. It is not my main job, and my main job is still to sell books to libraries and scholars, but I am enjoying the new job.
For the previous manager quited the job recently, my boss ordered me to replace it.
The store is very small. From the viewpoint of business, the store can't make a big business. But the store is important for the unversity students, because they have to buy many textbooks there. The store is mostly only for their textbooks.
Actually, if we can't sell their textbooks there, the store have to close soon.
The revenue of the store is mostly earned when the new educationl year, April in Japan, starts. Because the most texbooks are bought then.
So, for business, it is reasonable to open the store only in April. But, of course, it's impossible. If we do it, the university will kick us out soon.
In the bookstore, we sell not only books but also many other goods; snakcs, stationeries, women's stockings and so on. Recently a cosmetic maker visited me offering their goods and supplemets.
Because I don't know whether their goods are good or bad, I am asking some young female coworkers for their opinions now.
Before the job starts, I thought it is an annoying one. But, for everything is new for me, I seem to enjoy it. I will try to understand my customers (young female students) completely.
For the previous manager quited the job recently, my boss ordered me to replace it.
The store is very small. From the viewpoint of business, the store can't make a big business. But the store is important for the unversity students, because they have to buy many textbooks there. The store is mostly only for their textbooks.
Actually, if we can't sell their textbooks there, the store have to close soon.
The revenue of the store is mostly earned when the new educationl year, April in Japan, starts. Because the most texbooks are bought then.
So, for business, it is reasonable to open the store only in April. But, of course, it's impossible. If we do it, the university will kick us out soon.
In the bookstore, we sell not only books but also many other goods; snakcs, stationeries, women's stockings and so on. Recently a cosmetic maker visited me offering their goods and supplemets.
Because I don't know whether their goods are good or bad, I am asking some young female coworkers for their opinions now.
Before the job starts, I thought it is an annoying one. But, for everything is new for me, I seem to enjoy it. I will try to understand my customers (young female students) completely.
Sunday, February 07, 2010
VS Deconstruction
Today, Aeon Hon-Atsugi school is being under deconstruction.
The school will move to a new place, from 1st and 2nd floor to 4th floor in the same building. I heard the new place is more beautiful and gorgeous. Actually the place was used by a estheetic salon before. It must be more beautiful and gorgeous.
Around ten years ago, I visited this school by chance. Since then, the school's location has been same. So, although the movemnet of this time is small (because it's just floor change.), I feel it's a kind of turning point of the school.
Refelcted by the growning down of Japanese population, the number of the students is decreasing, with the decreasing number of the teachers. So, two floors are too many now. I can ubderstand this decision is right. 4th floor might be a disadvanatge to get new students, but strange people might not be able to come into the school easily.
3rd floor? It's Izakaya.
After the lesson, we can move to a drinking place, just only for TEN SECONDS!!
I am not sure whether it is good for our study, but it must be welcome for busy people.
The school will move to a new place, from 1st and 2nd floor to 4th floor in the same building. I heard the new place is more beautiful and gorgeous. Actually the place was used by a estheetic salon before. It must be more beautiful and gorgeous.
Around ten years ago, I visited this school by chance. Since then, the school's location has been same. So, although the movemnet of this time is small (because it's just floor change.), I feel it's a kind of turning point of the school.
Refelcted by the growning down of Japanese population, the number of the students is decreasing, with the decreasing number of the teachers. So, two floors are too many now. I can ubderstand this decision is right. 4th floor might be a disadvanatge to get new students, but strange people might not be able to come into the school easily.
3rd floor? It's Izakaya.
After the lesson, we can move to a drinking place, just only for TEN SECONDS!!
I am not sure whether it is good for our study, but it must be welcome for busy people.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
VS Jail Breaker
I watched a Japanese movie, THE KING OF JAIL BREAKERS. Its directer is a Japanese comedian, Itsuji Itao. The movie is his first one.
I like concept-movie because of the simplicity. Gang movie is about Gang. Kanfoo mivie is about Kanfoo. They are simple. They are easy to understand.
This movie is also concept-movie. It's about Jail-breaking.
The directer is a comedian, so there are some laughing points in the movie, but the expression is very moderate. Basically this movie is serious. I thought it was the successful point for the movie.
The story was about a (fictional) jail breaker in Japan before the War. He was arrested for a small crime, a bilk in a restaurant.
Because his crime was not a big one, his jail days was originally short, a few months. But he tried to break a jail and made success, many times.
"Many times" means he was arrested again and again, after his successful jail breakings. Before breaking a jail, he was very smart and taugh. But, after escaping from the jail, he was always arrested soon.
For his jail breakings, his jail days were plused to be endless at last. And then he was sent to the worst jail on a island.
The reason why he broke a jail many times is made clear on the island, at the climax of the movie. If you can understand Japanese, watch the movie and know the reason.
The movie time is 94 minutes, not long. If it is 120 minutes, I think we could feel bored a little. So, the time length of the movie was very successfully calcurated.
I like concept-movie because of the simplicity. Gang movie is about Gang. Kanfoo mivie is about Kanfoo. They are simple. They are easy to understand.
This movie is also concept-movie. It's about Jail-breaking.
The directer is a comedian, so there are some laughing points in the movie, but the expression is very moderate. Basically this movie is serious. I thought it was the successful point for the movie.
The story was about a (fictional) jail breaker in Japan before the War. He was arrested for a small crime, a bilk in a restaurant.
Because his crime was not a big one, his jail days was originally short, a few months. But he tried to break a jail and made success, many times.
"Many times" means he was arrested again and again, after his successful jail breakings. Before breaking a jail, he was very smart and taugh. But, after escaping from the jail, he was always arrested soon.
For his jail breakings, his jail days were plused to be endless at last. And then he was sent to the worst jail on a island.
The reason why he broke a jail many times is made clear on the island, at the climax of the movie. If you can understand Japanese, watch the movie and know the reason.
The movie time is 94 minutes, not long. If it is 120 minutes, I think we could feel bored a little. So, the time length of the movie was very successfully calcurated.
Sunday, January 10, 2010
VS Japanese Society
Happy New Year.
I spent my short new year's holidays in Kyoto. It was very cold then. I didn't want to go outside, so I was relaxed almost all the days in my parent's house. With playing with my dog, I watched TV.
I realised soon that some programs on air were rebroadcasted ones. It must be the effect of cost-cut of TV companies. I enjoyed the programs with the name of 2009.
Last year was the year of change in Japan. DPJ got political power at last. But, soon, it became clear that we were not accusomed to change. Almost all people didn't image what would happen after the change. So, after we knew our new government was a perfect amateur for country governance, we suddenly started to worry about our future. Now the approval rating of Prime minister Hatoyama is growing down from 70% to 50%.
However DPJ's rating is still high. It means the change itself is still supported by Japanese. Because we are responsible for our own decision, I am happy with the unchanged spirit for change.
This is a small thing but, a trouble happend around me at the end of last year. In a drinking party, a woman was drunk, and then her frined had a money trouble. From my view, when drinking, all responsibilities are on the drunker herself. I thought it's a natural discipline and a drunker's duty. However, I knew many blamed for the party organizer.
This trouble has already solved, so at this moment it's a small thing, but I am thinking that now we Japanese are being on the process of studying what self-responsibility is and why it's important.
This society must be matured more and more.
I spent my short new year's holidays in Kyoto. It was very cold then. I didn't want to go outside, so I was relaxed almost all the days in my parent's house. With playing with my dog, I watched TV.
I realised soon that some programs on air were rebroadcasted ones. It must be the effect of cost-cut of TV companies. I enjoyed the programs with the name of 2009.
Last year was the year of change in Japan. DPJ got political power at last. But, soon, it became clear that we were not accusomed to change. Almost all people didn't image what would happen after the change. So, after we knew our new government was a perfect amateur for country governance, we suddenly started to worry about our future. Now the approval rating of Prime minister Hatoyama is growing down from 70% to 50%.
However DPJ's rating is still high. It means the change itself is still supported by Japanese. Because we are responsible for our own decision, I am happy with the unchanged spirit for change.
This is a small thing but, a trouble happend around me at the end of last year. In a drinking party, a woman was drunk, and then her frined had a money trouble. From my view, when drinking, all responsibilities are on the drunker herself. I thought it's a natural discipline and a drunker's duty. However, I knew many blamed for the party organizer.
This trouble has already solved, so at this moment it's a small thing, but I am thinking that now we Japanese are being on the process of studying what self-responsibility is and why it's important.
This society must be matured more and more.
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
VS NOUKAI
Yesterday was my last working day in this year. At the end of this busy year, my last job was to arrange NOUKAI in my office.
NOUKAI is just a drinking party, which is held in an office, usually on the last day, and usually in working time. The aim is to finish this year with colleague.
I voluntarily became a leader of NOUKAI arranging team.
I successfully negotiated to my boss, and got a big budget. I decided to use all money. Even 1 yen wouldn't be left after the party.
I organized my colleague, making two teams. One is to buy foods. Anothet, drinks.
I led a food team, and bought Sashimi, Tenpura, Sushi, cakes, snacks and so on. On the other hand, a dirnk team went to buy beer and wine by a car.
Another aim to have such a party was to encourage the communication among the people in diffrent divisions. Although I am working in my company's head office and there are a lot of people working there, the chance to talk with most people is not many. Actualy I don't know what kind pf job the people next to my division works for.
That's why NOUKAI is a good oppotunity to know each other.
Perhaps 100 or 150 people joined the party. As I wrote above, NOUKAI is held in a office. So, there were not enough space for people gathering. That's why the party was very crowded, but maybe everybody enjoyed it. We could finish this year's job successfully.
My winter vacation is short. Next year, I am going to work again from 4th. I will spend the time in Kyoto, as usual. See you next year.
NOUKAI is just a drinking party, which is held in an office, usually on the last day, and usually in working time. The aim is to finish this year with colleague.
I voluntarily became a leader of NOUKAI arranging team.
I successfully negotiated to my boss, and got a big budget. I decided to use all money. Even 1 yen wouldn't be left after the party.
I organized my colleague, making two teams. One is to buy foods. Anothet, drinks.
I led a food team, and bought Sashimi, Tenpura, Sushi, cakes, snacks and so on. On the other hand, a dirnk team went to buy beer and wine by a car.
Another aim to have such a party was to encourage the communication among the people in diffrent divisions. Although I am working in my company's head office and there are a lot of people working there, the chance to talk with most people is not many. Actualy I don't know what kind pf job the people next to my division works for.
That's why NOUKAI is a good oppotunity to know each other.
Perhaps 100 or 150 people joined the party. As I wrote above, NOUKAI is held in a office. So, there were not enough space for people gathering. That's why the party was very crowded, but maybe everybody enjoyed it. We could finish this year's job successfully.
My winter vacation is short. Next year, I am going to work again from 4th. I will spend the time in Kyoto, as usual. See you next year.
Saturday, December 26, 2009
VS Christmas
Christmas has gone!
On 24th, the Eve, I worked late, then went home midnight. On 25th, although I didn't sleeep enough, I went to work, and I worked late again. After going back to Atsugi, it was impossible to go home soon without celebrateing something, so I drunk a little in a bar. There were four single men there, even though the day was Christmas! I was welcome because I also was single! What's the hell!
And now, on 26th, Saturday, I am working! OMG!
Why am I so busy now? There are some reasons. One of my coworkers will move to anther branch. And, another coworker will quit her job soon. I have to replace them, and I have to atrrange their good-bye party!
January is the first month of the last quater of Japanese fiscal year. So, I am always busy in this season. Many things have to be prepared now.
Today, when I went to a convenience store, Christmas gifts were sold by a half price. Price dawn is also fast. Time has passed fast. Christmas has passed fast.
On 24th, the Eve, I worked late, then went home midnight. On 25th, although I didn't sleeep enough, I went to work, and I worked late again. After going back to Atsugi, it was impossible to go home soon without celebrateing something, so I drunk a little in a bar. There were four single men there, even though the day was Christmas! I was welcome because I also was single! What's the hell!
And now, on 26th, Saturday, I am working! OMG!
Why am I so busy now? There are some reasons. One of my coworkers will move to anther branch. And, another coworker will quit her job soon. I have to replace them, and I have to atrrange their good-bye party!
January is the first month of the last quater of Japanese fiscal year. So, I am always busy in this season. Many things have to be prepared now.
Today, when I went to a convenience store, Christmas gifts were sold by a half price. Price dawn is also fast. Time has passed fast. Christmas has passed fast.
Sunday, December 20, 2009
VS Sepak Takraw Games
It was one of the biggest challange in this year for me.
Last week I participated in a tournament of Sepak Takraw. It was also my debut game.
Sepak Takraw is a minor sport in Japan. By chance, a Aeon friend Akira played it for a long time. He introdued it to me, then, sometimes when we played soccer with friends, we played Sepak Takraw just for warming-up.
Gradually I realised the minor sport's interest. I don't know why, but we has the tendency to feel happy when we can control something with our foot. When we can pick up a remote controller for television to change the channel "with our foot", we feel happy.
Sepak Takraw's difficulty is to control the ball with our foot, and it is also the reason for the sport's interest.
However, to be honest, I am not an athlete. I have not practiced so much. So, my level is very low. I thought I don't deserve to play with "real" players, but because it was a good experience, we challanged the tournament.
It was held on two days in Saitama prefecture. Six Aeon students including me paticipated in it. We made two teams, Atsugi Central and Atsugi Pacific.
Around 250 people were there. I heard around 500 people play Sepak takraw in Japan. So, 50% player gathered in Saitama. They join private teams or university clubs. They practice everyday. On the other hand, we Atsugi teams drink everyday. The result of our game was clear before the games. 4 lost, 1 draw was my team's result. 1 draw was the game with an university in Niigata prefecture.
Although we couldn't win, I can say we enjoyed very much. Our level was low, but our guts was good. We could get scores. With playing, our level improved.
The organizer of the tournament worked very well. They have the strong passion to make Sepak takraw more popular in Japan. It must be a taugh job to organize 250 people from all over the Japan. I wanna celebrate them.
I decide to join next year's tournamnet. It's a good motivation for me to practice more. I will get 1 win next year.
Last week I participated in a tournament of Sepak Takraw. It was also my debut game.
Sepak Takraw is a minor sport in Japan. By chance, a Aeon friend Akira played it for a long time. He introdued it to me, then, sometimes when we played soccer with friends, we played Sepak Takraw just for warming-up.
Gradually I realised the minor sport's interest. I don't know why, but we has the tendency to feel happy when we can control something with our foot. When we can pick up a remote controller for television to change the channel "with our foot", we feel happy.
Sepak Takraw's difficulty is to control the ball with our foot, and it is also the reason for the sport's interest.
However, to be honest, I am not an athlete. I have not practiced so much. So, my level is very low. I thought I don't deserve to play with "real" players, but because it was a good experience, we challanged the tournament.
It was held on two days in Saitama prefecture. Six Aeon students including me paticipated in it. We made two teams, Atsugi Central and Atsugi Pacific.
Around 250 people were there. I heard around 500 people play Sepak takraw in Japan. So, 50% player gathered in Saitama. They join private teams or university clubs. They practice everyday. On the other hand, we Atsugi teams drink everyday. The result of our game was clear before the games. 4 lost, 1 draw was my team's result. 1 draw was the game with an university in Niigata prefecture.
Although we couldn't win, I can say we enjoyed very much. Our level was low, but our guts was good. We could get scores. With playing, our level improved.
The organizer of the tournament worked very well. They have the strong passion to make Sepak takraw more popular in Japan. It must be a taugh job to organize 250 people from all over the Japan. I wanna celebrate them.
I decide to join next year's tournamnet. It's a good motivation for me to practice more. I will get 1 win next year.
Sunday, December 06, 2009
VS Hida Beef
The scenery of Hida-Takayama city is a little diffrent from other Japanese local city. When you visit a rural area, you can eat its local foods; Soba noodle, fish foods, traditinal vegetable dishes and rice foods are typical. They are classic Japanese cuisine. Of course, here in Hida-Takayama, you can eat such foods. But, maybe, the most astonishing food there is beef. Hida beef is one of the highest quality beef in Japan.
In the city, there are many steak restaurnts and butchers. Humberger shops and Beef "Suchi" restaurants are many too. In Tokyo, it's not special. But it's rare in local cities in Japan.
Like other types of beef we Japanese prefer, Hida Beef has oil like frost. So, it is very soft, and melts in our mouse naturally. This character of beef we like is friendly for our chin and teeth. But, that's why, they can be weaken. So, it might be a bad friend.
Anyway, the quality is high. Of course, I enjoyed it very well.
In the hotel I stayed, I ordered the special Hida Beef course. At the dinner, I started with beef, I finished with beef. Beef hors d'oeuvre, beef salad, beef nabe, beef sushi, baked beef, raw beef and son. I re-realised that beef is No.1 food then.
Hida-Takayama's local sake and beer match the great beef. I drunk too much on the trip, because there are many drinks I didn't know. I have to travel in Japan more for the new taste I've never experienced.
In the city, there are many steak restaurnts and butchers. Humberger shops and Beef "Suchi" restaurants are many too. In Tokyo, it's not special. But it's rare in local cities in Japan.
Like other types of beef we Japanese prefer, Hida Beef has oil like frost. So, it is very soft, and melts in our mouse naturally. This character of beef we like is friendly for our chin and teeth. But, that's why, they can be weaken. So, it might be a bad friend.
Anyway, the quality is high. Of course, I enjoyed it very well.
In the hotel I stayed, I ordered the special Hida Beef course. At the dinner, I started with beef, I finished with beef. Beef hors d'oeuvre, beef salad, beef nabe, beef sushi, baked beef, raw beef and son. I re-realised that beef is No.1 food then.
Hida-Takayama's local sake and beer match the great beef. I drunk too much on the trip, because there are many drinks I didn't know. I have to travel in Japan more for the new taste I've never experienced.
Sunday, November 29, 2009
VS Gifu Trip
One of my friends will change his job successfully. His salary must increse a little. In order to celebrate his success, some old friends gathered to Gifu prefecture last weekend.
Japanese postal code is from 000 to 999. Gifu's postal codes are on 500th. As you can easily understand, Gifu prefecture is almost at the center of Japan. It's an important area to dominate this country.
We stayed in the hotel near Gifu castle.
Look at this photo. Gifu castle is great and beautiful. One of the most popular general in Japanese history, Nobunaga Oda, lived there. He could understand the importance of the governance of Gifu.
The castle's location is also good. It stands on the top of a mountain which is near Nagaragawa river. The river is famous for "Ugai", which is the fishing methods to use a bird "U". In summer season, we can watch "U" catching fish on the river.
After the staying near the castle, I and the successful friend moved to Hida Takayama, the city on mountain area in Gifu. The city is far from the center of Gifu. I think it was hard to go there before. But, even though its location was not good for human's living, Hida Takayama was prosperous in medieval times because of natural resources; silver, copper and so on.
I visited Takayama Jinya, which is the only one now existing reginal office in Edo era. The office rooms and living rooms used by samurais are preserved well now. We can watch such things in the classical Japanese dramas on TV, but, of course, they are the imitations. Takayama Jinya's one are real.
Before visiting there, I didn't know its exsitence, so I was excited with watching it.
Hida Takayama is famous for beef, but I will write about it on another post. The taste is very good for Japanese tongue.
Japanese postal code is from 000 to 999. Gifu's postal codes are on 500th. As you can easily understand, Gifu prefecture is almost at the center of Japan. It's an important area to dominate this country.
We stayed in the hotel near Gifu castle.
Look at this photo. Gifu castle is great and beautiful. One of the most popular general in Japanese history, Nobunaga Oda, lived there. He could understand the importance of the governance of Gifu.
The castle's location is also good. It stands on the top of a mountain which is near Nagaragawa river. The river is famous for "Ugai", which is the fishing methods to use a bird "U". In summer season, we can watch "U" catching fish on the river.
After the staying near the castle, I and the successful friend moved to Hida Takayama, the city on mountain area in Gifu. The city is far from the center of Gifu. I think it was hard to go there before. But, even though its location was not good for human's living, Hida Takayama was prosperous in medieval times because of natural resources; silver, copper and so on.
I visited Takayama Jinya, which is the only one now existing reginal office in Edo era. The office rooms and living rooms used by samurais are preserved well now. We can watch such things in the classical Japanese dramas on TV, but, of course, they are the imitations. Takayama Jinya's one are real.
Before visiting there, I didn't know its exsitence, so I was excited with watching it.
Hida Takayama is famous for beef, but I will write about it on another post. The taste is very good for Japanese tongue.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
VS Windy Enoshima
I went to Enoshima beach to surf last weekend. The day was very windy. It's a bad condition for surifing.
But the weather was good. I couldn't miss going to the beach. I am lazy recently, so I don't go to surf so often, though,
I like this season's Enoshima. Because the air is becoming clean after humid summer. Now we can look at Mt.Fuji very clear. In summer season, it is immpossible for us to see it.
It is also good that there are less people on the sea. (But, compared with ohter beach, many people are still there, though.)
Windy day's wave is bad. The shape of the wave is random. So, it's difficult to stand on my board. But, thanks to the existence of Enoshima island, we can escape from the effect of the wind on the some areas on the sea. The isiland becomes a natural brock against the wind.
That's why I could enjoy surfing the day.
The water temparature? No, problem. I haven't used the wet suits for winter yet. The water on the sea is still warm. Sometimes I thought it was warmer on the sea than on the beach.
Many people looking at me from the beach don't know the secret, so they must think I am a strong man. But the reality is opposite. Funny.
But the weather was good. I couldn't miss going to the beach. I am lazy recently, so I don't go to surf so often, though,
I like this season's Enoshima. Because the air is becoming clean after humid summer. Now we can look at Mt.Fuji very clear. In summer season, it is immpossible for us to see it.
It is also good that there are less people on the sea. (But, compared with ohter beach, many people are still there, though.)
Windy day's wave is bad. The shape of the wave is random. So, it's difficult to stand on my board. But, thanks to the existence of Enoshima island, we can escape from the effect of the wind on the some areas on the sea. The isiland becomes a natural brock against the wind.
That's why I could enjoy surfing the day.
The water temparature? No, problem. I haven't used the wet suits for winter yet. The water on the sea is still warm. Sometimes I thought it was warmer on the sea than on the beach.
Many people looking at me from the beach don't know the secret, so they must think I am a strong man. But the reality is opposite. Funny.
Saturday, November 14, 2009
VS Sauce Fried Noodles
I am happy for working in Japanese publishing world. Because I can sometimes meet great books to show Japanese publications are rich.
Recently a book to focus on sauce fried noodles is published in Japan.
The ad for the book says it is the first book only for sauce fried noodles in the world.
Yes! Certainly I have never met such a book. Even though it is a popular food and we can eat it on any places in Japan, and there are many books for noodles; spagetti, soba, ramen, udon and so on, AND sauce fried noodles are a very original noodle food born in modern Japan, nobody haven't published the book for it.
From the book, we can know there are may types of sauce frried noodles in Japan. The simplest one is noodles with meat and cabbage. Another one is with egg. In the northern Kanto area, potato is used! It's very surprising for the pople in other area.
For the pople bron in the western Japan like me, sauce fried noodles are like a daily food. In a house and a school, I ate it. In coffee shops, it is always on the menu as a light food, in the western Japan. In festivals, sauce fried noodles shops are one of the most popular shops.
One of my memorial things was that I had BBQ on the beach in Austlaria. I ate sauce fried noodles there. For Japanese, it's not special. But for Australian, what I ate there must have been strange.
I can't stop writing about my memory about sauce fried noodles, but the book is useful to understand Japanese food culture. I recommend it.
Recently a book to focus on sauce fried noodles is published in Japan.
The ad for the book says it is the first book only for sauce fried noodles in the world.
Yes! Certainly I have never met such a book. Even though it is a popular food and we can eat it on any places in Japan, and there are many books for noodles; spagetti, soba, ramen, udon and so on, AND sauce fried noodles are a very original noodle food born in modern Japan, nobody haven't published the book for it.
From the book, we can know there are may types of sauce frried noodles in Japan. The simplest one is noodles with meat and cabbage. Another one is with egg. In the northern Kanto area, potato is used! It's very surprising for the pople in other area.
For the pople bron in the western Japan like me, sauce fried noodles are like a daily food. In a house and a school, I ate it. In coffee shops, it is always on the menu as a light food, in the western Japan. In festivals, sauce fried noodles shops are one of the most popular shops.
One of my memorial things was that I had BBQ on the beach in Austlaria. I ate sauce fried noodles there. For Japanese, it's not special. But for Australian, what I ate there must have been strange.
I can't stop writing about my memory about sauce fried noodles, but the book is useful to understand Japanese food culture. I recommend it.
Sunday, November 08, 2009
VS Performance
The 2nd International Street Performance Festival in Atsugi is held this weekend. This kind of festival in Yokohama is popular. Atsugi has followed it since last year.
I was not sure whether Atsugi's one would become popular, but I am now surprised at the success. Many people come to Atsugi to watch street performance now.
Last year, the guide book for the festival was free. This year, it is sold in bookstores. Thanks to the gathering of many people, the restaurants and shops in Atsugi are running very well. This festival's economical impact on Atusgi must be great.
Now we can watch the performance at many places near Hon-Atsugi station. Because Atsugi is a compact city, we can move easily from one place to oter place. Atsugi's compactness might be a good advantage for this kind of festival. It can be more popular in the future than a large city Yokohama's one.
I was not sure whether Atsugi's one would become popular, but I am now surprised at the success. Many people come to Atsugi to watch street performance now.
Last year, the guide book for the festival was free. This year, it is sold in bookstores. Thanks to the gathering of many people, the restaurants and shops in Atsugi are running very well. This festival's economical impact on Atusgi must be great.
Now we can watch the performance at many places near Hon-Atsugi station. Because Atsugi is a compact city, we can move easily from one place to oter place. Atsugi's compactness might be a good advantage for this kind of festival. It can be more popular in the future than a large city Yokohama's one.
Tuesday, November 03, 2009
VS Journal Business
It's cold in Japan. The wind from the north is blewing today. I felt the early winter has come at last. I also knew the news of the first snow in Sapporo city in Hokkaido. But, this cold seems to be temporary. This week, it will become warm again.
Last month was a big month for my business. I finished some contracts of annual subscription of academic journals with my customers, mainly Japanese universities.
This business is becoming difficult for the decreasing budgets of the universities, and the digitalization of journals. Some digitalized journals can be read free on internet, and many digitalized journals can be bought directly from publishers by my customers; it means they don't need distributers, book-sales men.
Of course, the situation is not so simple. Even though many journals are digitalized now, many publishers and customers still want to use distributers. However, the rate of profit for this business is garadually decreasing. That's why some competers of mine are giving up the business.
I think I made a success of the business this year. Under the bad conditions, my sales grew up, and even the rate of profit raised too. The negotiation with my customers were taugh, and there were tha holidays that I couldn't enjoy other things because business didn't move from my brain. But, now I am satisfied with the sales result.
This month, I will consciously release my mind from business to many funs. Balance is important. I will beat tension to be relaxed.
That's why, last week's Halloween party was good for changing my mental mood. We enjoyed the party very much and after the first stage we stayed until fifth stages(it was the early morning.)the day. It was along night, but I didn't get tired.
And, I have some plans more; the travel with my friends to some old villages in Japan, Sushi dinner event with friends, joining Sepack Takrow tournament in Saitama, Karaoke party in a bar, etc. It might not be good to make many plans for relaxing, but my brain is familler with busy schadule. So, it's Ok.
Last month was a big month for my business. I finished some contracts of annual subscription of academic journals with my customers, mainly Japanese universities.
This business is becoming difficult for the decreasing budgets of the universities, and the digitalization of journals. Some digitalized journals can be read free on internet, and many digitalized journals can be bought directly from publishers by my customers; it means they don't need distributers, book-sales men.
Of course, the situation is not so simple. Even though many journals are digitalized now, many publishers and customers still want to use distributers. However, the rate of profit for this business is garadually decreasing. That's why some competers of mine are giving up the business.
I think I made a success of the business this year. Under the bad conditions, my sales grew up, and even the rate of profit raised too. The negotiation with my customers were taugh, and there were tha holidays that I couldn't enjoy other things because business didn't move from my brain. But, now I am satisfied with the sales result.
This month, I will consciously release my mind from business to many funs. Balance is important. I will beat tension to be relaxed.
That's why, last week's Halloween party was good for changing my mental mood. We enjoyed the party very much and after the first stage we stayed until fifth stages(it was the early morning.)the day. It was along night, but I didn't get tired.
And, I have some plans more; the travel with my friends to some old villages in Japan, Sushi dinner event with friends, joining Sepack Takrow tournament in Saitama, Karaoke party in a bar, etc. It might not be good to make many plans for relaxing, but my brain is familler with busy schadule. So, it's Ok.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
VS Bouts in Zama
I went to Zama camp.
The aim was not to show my idea about the reconstruction of US army in Japan; Okinawa base shuld be relocated to Narita, but to watch professional wrestling bouts there!
New Japan Pro-Wrestling comes to Zama camp every year for the communication of Japanese and US army. "Camp Zama SlamFest" was held there last weekends. I enjoyed it very much.
When I was a child, professional wrestlers were my hero. Every week I watched their bouts on TV. Especially, a New Japan Pro-Wrestling wrestler Antonio Inoki was hero's hero.
Of course, now, fortunately or unfortunately I know, all bouts are fake.
That's why I lost the interest of professional wretling. I haven't watched it for a long time.
However I don't know why, but I sometimes check the information of wrestlers on magazines until now.
This time I realised the reason for my unlost curiosity to professional wretling. Their bouts must be fake, but their taughness and physical performance is true. In addition, their communication skill with the audience is so great. The young, the old and many kids were excited with their fight.
After the bouts, it was lucky that I could go inside the wrestler's dinner party.
I could get many wrestlers signature and took pictures with them!
They are really big and gentle. Now, I have no reason why I will not be interested in professional wrestling again.
The aim was not to show my idea about the reconstruction of US army in Japan; Okinawa base shuld be relocated to Narita, but to watch professional wrestling bouts there!
New Japan Pro-Wrestling comes to Zama camp every year for the communication of Japanese and US army. "Camp Zama SlamFest" was held there last weekends. I enjoyed it very much.
When I was a child, professional wrestlers were my hero. Every week I watched their bouts on TV. Especially, a New Japan Pro-Wrestling wrestler Antonio Inoki was hero's hero.
Of course, now, fortunately or unfortunately I know, all bouts are fake.
That's why I lost the interest of professional wretling. I haven't watched it for a long time.
However I don't know why, but I sometimes check the information of wrestlers on magazines until now.
This time I realised the reason for my unlost curiosity to professional wretling. Their bouts must be fake, but their taughness and physical performance is true. In addition, their communication skill with the audience is so great. The young, the old and many kids were excited with their fight.
After the bouts, it was lucky that I could go inside the wrestler's dinner party.
I could get many wrestlers signature and took pictures with them!
They are really big and gentle. Now, I have no reason why I will not be interested in professional wrestling again.
Sunday, October 18, 2009
VS Octoberfest 2009
Recently my post is about Beer. The reason is because I always drink beer, but it's not all. My post is based on a social backbone. This month, October, is one of the important season for the world beer drinkers.
Octoberfest is one of the biggest beer-drinking festival in the world. It started originally in Germany. Now, the festival is held in many places in Japan too.
Today, I will go to Octoberfest in Yokohama. Today is the last day. I am afraid whether some beer have already been out of stock. So, I have to hurry up! I wanna enjoy great German white beer and sausages. It's the best combination like Sake and Sashimi in Japan.
Time to go.
Octoberfest is one of the biggest beer-drinking festival in the world. It started originally in Germany. Now, the festival is held in many places in Japan too.
Today, I will go to Octoberfest in Yokohama. Today is the last day. I am afraid whether some beer have already been out of stock. So, I have to hurry up! I wanna enjoy great German white beer and sausages. It's the best combination like Sake and Sashimi in Japan.
Time to go.
Monday, October 12, 2009
VS THE GRIFFIN
I sometimes go to THE GRIFFIN, a bar in Hon-Atsugi. This bar is new, opened in February. The bar looks like a typical beer bar, but we can drink wine and whisky too. Especially its collection of whisky is great. There are some bottler's whisky, which is the whisky before brending. Of course the price is high. But here is Atsugi, a local city in Kanagawa. So, compared with the bars in Tokyo, the price must be attractive.
However, because my favorite is beer, I go to drink beer before going home after hard work.
This bar is inside a business hotel. So, I thought many people staying the hotel use the bar, but the bar master Kyojima-san says over 90% of customers are outsiders including me. I don't know why? Sometimes there are no customer but me. I worry about the management of the bar.
The former prime minister Aso liked to go to hotel restaurants and bars. But the present prime minister Hatoyama likes Izakaya. Izakaya style and price is convenient and reasonable. So I like it too. Under this economical situation, cheap Izakaya mught be the trend.
Recently THE GRIFFIN started their community in MIXI. The member is increasing gradually. I hope their success in Atsugi.
However, because my favorite is beer, I go to drink beer before going home after hard work.
This bar is inside a business hotel. So, I thought many people staying the hotel use the bar, but the bar master Kyojima-san says over 90% of customers are outsiders including me. I don't know why? Sometimes there are no customer but me. I worry about the management of the bar.
The former prime minister Aso liked to go to hotel restaurants and bars. But the present prime minister Hatoyama likes Izakaya. Izakaya style and price is convenient and reasonable. So I like it too. Under this economical situation, cheap Izakaya mught be the trend.
Recently THE GRIFFIN started their community in MIXI. The member is increasing gradually. I hope their success in Atsugi.
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