tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2927238790952170092024-03-13T15:55:28.450-07:00Red RoninViews and reviews from a wandering 'Gaijin' in Japan.David Vickershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02012730243641142794noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-292723879095217009.post-18574697451113601872014-09-15T01:28:00.001-07:002014-09-15T01:30:43.964-07:00Samurai Spirit in the Stands: A Look at Japanese Football (Soccer) Culture<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It’s only a few months since the FIFA
World Cup wrapped up in Brazil, though for Japanese fans it may well seem like
an eternity since their beloved “Samurai Blue” were still in the hunt for
glory. After much pre-tournament hype, which saw the Japanese media and public
alike predict a strong showing for the national team, their hopes were brought
crashing down to earth as Honda, Kagawa and co. went out at the group stage
with a solitary point. It wasn’t all gloom and doom for Japan at the World Cup,
however. For one thing, the Japanese supporters out in Brazil earned rave reviews,
in particular for their habit of picking up litter in the stadium after
matches. Seeing the widespread attention that this conscientious behaviour drew
from the world’s media, I started to think about the many other ways watching
football (or "soccer" as it's called here) in Japan contrasts to the usual experience of fans in most western
countries, especially my country England. Below are a few of the main aspects that sprang to mind.</span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Just to be clear, these observations are
based on watching J-League (Japanese professional club) games rather than the national
team, though there doesn't seem much significant difference between the two.</span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4DOayboD6R9r-UcjNj09N5hhLgybjAC_E5n_E4orc7NdVu7Y-NG_Wlg2RDCaqwNkxhLFQPt7-b-3UEp4Jj5zsu0LSbDx7VaMrIeSzADTCoB6MevQdiu2l4TOy9YtxD_zN2hcitiXf/s1600/Japanese_Fans_Twitter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4DOayboD6R9r-UcjNj09N5hhLgybjAC_E5n_E4orc7NdVu7Y-NG_Wlg2RDCaqwNkxhLFQPt7-b-3UEp4Jj5zsu0LSbDx7VaMrIeSzADTCoB6MevQdiu2l4TOy9YtxD_zN2hcitiXf/s1600/Japanese_Fans_Twitter.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 18.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-para-margin-left: 0gd; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US"><b>It’s a family affair</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: -18pt;">The first time I went to watch my local J-League team Kawasaki
Frontale a few years ago, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: -18pt;">one of the things that struck home most was the number of women
and kids in the crowd </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">around me. Back in England, while the make-up of crowds
is more mixed than it used to be, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">men are still in the majority. Family groups
are an even rarer sight in English football </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">grounds, but in Japan they’re very
much the norm. As a result, on match days the area </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">around the stadium can often
seem more like a funfair than a sports venue. There might not </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">be any roller-coasters
in sight, but there’s usually a range of kid-friendly activities laid on, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">hours
before the match even kicks off. To give you an idea, recent pre-match
entertainment </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">at Frontale has featured a petting zoo and a meet-and-greet session
for the popular cartoon </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">character Doraemon. It’s really admirable how
much effort Japanese football clubs </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">put in to making the match-going experience
one that all the family can enjoy. More than </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">anything, getting kids to regularly come and
support their local team is a great way to </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">ensure the long-term health of the
game here.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-MLOd3ebSOFeN94hNf4S3v7TXzyXeF9CERyAYwfzcOYmrJ-l-dN3JbQ05Vuu498Wqe5jevIw9YO6zlSBF__BX7aE8OYT4AalNj5z6I1E9IWPOtA6tK7jX6huv0kKCZUZEeP4sVC-0/s1600/doraemon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-MLOd3ebSOFeN94hNf4S3v7TXzyXeF9CERyAYwfzcOYmrJ-l-dN3JbQ05Vuu498Wqe5jevIw9YO6zlSBF__BX7aE8OYT4AalNj5z6I1E9IWPOtA6tK7jX6huv0kKCZUZEeP4sVC-0/s1600/doraemon.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>You (don't) only sing when you're winning</b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Perhaps the most impressive thing about the Japanese football spectators who I've mixed with and observed is their unshakable positivity. In an English football ground, you'll often hear moans and outright abuse shouted from disgruntled spectators at players who are having a stinker or at the referee when he makes a call they don't agree with. Not so in super-polite Japan. Even when their team is performing terribly, on the wrong end of a thrashing, the fans' support never seems to waver. Indeed, the communal chanting efforts of Japanese fans can really be a sight and sound to behold. Supporters have quite a repertoire of songs, and the "ultras" section, which usually takes up one side of the ground, rarely lets up with its chanting throughout the game, whatever the score. It's a much more orchestrated affair than the average English game, with a number of appointed leaders standing at the front facing their fellow fans, conducting the chanting through megaphones. It pains me to say it, but even at my beloved Liverpool FC, which has some of the most vocal and passionate fans in England, the match-day atmosphere can be strangely subdued if things aren't going well on the pitch. Some English teams, including</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Manchester United, have actually started to experiment with specially designated "singing sections" in an attempt to raise the noise level in their stadiums, with mixed results. These teams could certainly do worse than follow the example of their J-league counterparts in this respect.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Match-day gear</b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When it comes to deciding what to wear to the match, most Japanese fans don't even need to think about it. Replica shirts rule, and not just any old shirts either. As well as being the latest version, it should have the name and number of your favourite player on the back. Compare this to the average English football stadium, where you're likely to see just as many fans in their everyday clothes than sporting the colours of their team. In the eyes of many hard-core, season ticket-holding fans in England (usually middle-aged men), replica shirts are for kids and day-trippers. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now, I personally don't wear a replica kit to the game here myself (for a start, at around ¥12,000/£70, they're even more expensive than in England!) but the sight of virtually a whole stadium of supporters in matching coloured tops is pretty damn impressive!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCAr3IJ7qB7zjr0vmZCaKLtoKvCS-sWBUji1bSQkws6o5U_en59Z9GPQNZqiRp7xy3p5MxWHcqandrOTR8Nmf2Up1aHvMISB2oNy_2gm8RcvAUNHncuycA3SSgA3SUUNtJDrmB4BHZ/s1600/frontale1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCAr3IJ7qB7zjr0vmZCaKLtoKvCS-sWBUji1bSQkws6o5U_en59Z9GPQNZqiRp7xy3p5MxWHcqandrOTR8Nmf2Up1aHvMISB2oNy_2gm8RcvAUNHncuycA3SSgA3SUUNtJDrmB4BHZ/s1600/frontale1.jpeg" height="219" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Small is beautiful</b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">While the English Premier League is a hugely successful global brand, with its top clubs boasting millions of dedicated followers, from New York to Hong Kong, it's fair to say that the J-League is a very modest, local affair in comparison. There are no multi-million TV deals, and few big money overseas signings, but this is not necessarily a bad thing. For instance, the fact that the average J-League player is on a fraction of the wages of their Premier League counterparts has a great deal to do with the lack of over-inflated egos here. I'm consistently struck by how articulate and good-natured most Japanese players come across when interviewed on camera. Admittedly, bad boys and egomaniacs like Zlatan or Ronaldo only add to the attraction of this beautiful game, and we watch players mainly for their skill on the pitch, not their manners off it. However, when the players are approachable and down-to-earth, rather than seemingly living on another planet, it can strengthen the bond between them and the fans. That certainly seems to be the case in the J-League. For example, Kawasaki Frontale hold fan days at the stadium at least a couple of times a year, where fans can come along and meet their favourite players, getting their replica shirts signed and exchanging a few pleasantries in the process. Meanwhile, most fans of Premier League clubs could only dream of getting so close to their heroes.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>What about the football?</b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Never mind how passionate the fans are or how approachable the players are, the thing most people who've never watched J-League football in Japan are probably wondering is "What's the standard like?" Well, for those readers familiar with the English game, I'd say it's a similar standard to the Championship (i.e. one level below the Premier League), although the pace is generally less frenetic and there's more focus on the sort of close passing game favoured in Spain or Italy than the "up and at 'em" style of the English lower leagues. Adding to the entertainment value, there's generally plenty of goals, due just as much to dodgy defending than sparkling attacking. And another plus is the general unpredictability of the competition - in the past decade alone, there have been seven different J-League champions, some of them rising from mid-table obscurity in the course of one or two seasons. So, if you're a football fan living in Japan yet to get a taste of the J-League, why not give it a go and support your local team? You may well find yourself becoming a convert like me!</span></div>
David Vickershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02012730243641142794noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-292723879095217009.post-63023906467551574492014-07-21T02:15:00.000-07:002014-07-21T06:16:39.796-07:00Takashi Miike - A "Bloody" Good Director<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Takashi Miike is a truly one-of-a-kind film
director, not only in terms of the outrageous and freaky films that he makes, but
also the astonishing rate at which he churns them out. Since he burst onto the
scene in the early ‘90s with gangster flicks like “Bodyguard Kiba” and “Shinjuku
Triad Society”, he’s helmed an average of roughly 4 features per year, which is virtually unprecedented. What makes this number even
more impressive, though, is the consistency in quality and sheer variety of his
work. Inevitably he’s been responsible for the odd miss among the many hits,
and he’s best known for violent action and horror, though he’s also tried his
hand at children’s films (“Ninja Kids!!!”) and courtroom drama/comedy (“Ace
Attorney”).</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I’ve picked five Miike
films that I feel best represent his eclectic back catalogue - often
jaw-droppingly violent, sometimes pant-wettingly scary, but certainly never dull.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Audition / オーディション (1999)</span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3vOp5k-bP8G0nOSrT-umYRXIX47K3O2Y9mqArZNylIAg2WEeIAyWhybfUqNNrVwNWIrKHk_h1SYHTBzk8_y7f1XyDCFIn2CJUNJzvVMyi0d2ubNJzFSJgKFV_rgzC39pYEGBvxymQ/s1600/Audition-banner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3vOp5k-bP8G0nOSrT-umYRXIX47K3O2Y9mqArZNylIAg2WEeIAyWhybfUqNNrVwNWIrKHk_h1SYHTBzk8_y7f1XyDCFIn2CJUNJzvVMyi0d2ubNJzFSJgKFV_rgzC39pYEGBvxymQ/s1600/Audition-banner.jpg" height="83" width="320" /></a></div>
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This film is first on the list partly because it's the one that introduced me to Miike, but also as it made the biggest impression on me. It's the</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> tale of a widower who gets more than he bargained for when deciding to 'audition' suitable candidates to be his next girlfriend/wife. Sounds quite light-hearted when you put it like that, doesn't it? And indeed</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> it starts off that way, but by the end it has descended into full-blown horror. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I guess you could say I was "lucky" in that I went into it not knowing much about what to expect, which made the final twist all the more shocking. In the intervening years, though, the film's reputation has spread, to the extent that it's now seen as a touchstone for slow-building horror filmmaking. Any self-respecting horror fan will likely have seen "Audition" already, but if you like a good fright and you haven't yet experienced this shock-tastic masterpiece I heartily recommend you do so. Just don't expect to want any repeat viewings for a while...</span><br />
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Bird People in China / 中国の鳥人 (1998)</span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzmvaQEiIHZZU3K0h2vIxJzgXuok8irhzxRiOkMWg5GwcpcUaLQDKPf8YzhuSGvi5sfB80W1eIXJXREUDCuT-dqsn5EOjWgWO-7wXTrc8i3G5h2Rz3u41bPRABhlaVHRZS81EyybYj/s1600/bird+people.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzmvaQEiIHZZU3K0h2vIxJzgXuok8irhzxRiOkMWg5GwcpcUaLQDKPf8YzhuSGvi5sfB80W1eIXJXREUDCuT-dqsn5EOjWgWO-7wXTrc8i3G5h2Rz3u41bPRABhlaVHRZS81EyybYj/s1600/bird+people.jpeg" height="152" width="320" /></a></div>
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US">One of Miike’s most thoughtful and touching works, this film marks the first proper departure from his early fixation on violence and crime. Largely filmed on location against the stunning backdrop of China’s mountainous Yunnan province, the story follows the odd couple of mild-mannered businessman Wada and mildly psychotic gangster Ujiie (it wouldn’t be a bona fide Miike film without a yakuza in there somewhere), who are dispatched on a haphazard mission to scout out some rare gems. What they find instead is a kind of enlightenment, as their stay in the isolated mountain community amongst the so-called “bird people” makes them reevaluate their modern-day lives. There’s still enough crazy and comical touches to keep die-hard Miike fans entertained – I particularly enjoyed Ujiie's foul-mouthed antics and the story thread involving a bunch of raft-pulling turtles – but it’s the final, more contemplative, scenes of the film that really stayed with me.</span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></span>
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US">The Happiness of the Katakuris / カタクリ家の幸福 (2001)</span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwIOej8uG44GUmAVotiDaV-wjktSvUh2DMS4OFLR1fzjsrF1SSy2MG6BbLtqLpCKxvwtU8ZFnWm8IcLiXXIdhFoUYMTlJ19Tqg_5sTDViVTs_8D5UvxiXP3ER-ugm12vJvYMCL-tqY/s1600/katakuri.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwIOej8uG44GUmAVotiDaV-wjktSvUh2DMS4OFLR1fzjsrF1SSy2MG6BbLtqLpCKxvwtU8ZFnWm8IcLiXXIdhFoUYMTlJ19Tqg_5sTDViVTs_8D5UvxiXP3ER-ugm12vJvYMCL-tqY/s1600/katakuri.jpeg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If there's one film that encapsulates Miike's wonderfully eclectic approach to filmmaking, this is surely it. Part comedy, part musical, part human drama, part animation (and of course don't forget the horror!), it tells the story of the Katakuri family's seemingly doomed efforts to attract guests to their newly opened guest house near Mount Fuji. Naturally, the shade of comedy is rather black, with one running joke focusing on the unfortunate habit of new guests to die in </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">increasingly bizarre circumstances. It's all handled with a lot of warmth and charm though, making it, for me, the most enjoyable watch out of all of Miike's many movies. My favourite thing about the whole film is probably the daughter's love interest, played by rock musician Kiyoshi Imawano, as a U.S. naval officer who claims to be nephew of Queen Elizabeth II (?) and speaks with the most hilariously awful 'Japanglish' imaginable!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thirteen Assassins / 十三人の刺客 (2010)</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK0iuvF7S_3DCnlfJpWYoSzYeBf8TXL4NwPijtk_TwqbFsZ0Mq8FHIwqTXg-ruPY3qYSca23UKCJUZ2ynzQOVRiBrPlzd8v5Aed3HFcA755o6H60uqq-T7yoo-8xc62jaY_JSOyQ2a/s1600/assassins.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK0iuvF7S_3DCnlfJpWYoSzYeBf8TXL4NwPijtk_TwqbFsZ0Mq8FHIwqTXg-ruPY3qYSca23UKCJUZ2ynzQOVRiBrPlzd8v5Aed3HFcA755o6H60uqq-T7yoo-8xc62jaY_JSOyQ2a/s1600/assassins.jpeg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Not to be confused with "Seven Samurai", this is Miike's best-known stab at the Japanese period action genre, and in my humble view it stands up pretty well alongside Kurosawa's masterpiece. Loosely based on a historical incident from 19th century feudal Japan, a group of samurai are hired to assassinate the sadistic half-brother of the Shogun. Much like "Seven Samurai", the first part of the film concentrates on the group coming together, building up their various characters, before the final chapter erupts in one of the most epic and entertaining fight sequences you're ever likely to see on screen. Apart from the stunning action, there's also some fine acting on show, not least from Koji Yakusho as the group's stoic leader, and Goro Inagaki (best known as member of clean-cut Japanese boy band SMAP) putting in a delightfully OTT turn as the aforementioned sadistic target of the assassins.</span></div>
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lesson of the Evil / 悪の教典 (2012)</span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-z8S2j8qqu0ZnvbPLXgtZO_FljKMzHGSWwbdBDmZArko6CZntOfivEXqgwjf3L6jeM6XiXSSbJUrhkkis5KwTscaWBDu94mYFF3TM_mybMe4xok2IuMFlaG51sf3WQZMFLtxmXU8Y/s1600/lesson.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-z8S2j8qqu0ZnvbPLXgtZO_FljKMzHGSWwbdBDmZArko6CZntOfivEXqgwjf3L6jeM6XiXSSbJUrhkkis5KwTscaWBDu94mYFF3TM_mybMe4xok2IuMFlaG51sf3WQZMFLtxmXU8Y/s1600/lesson.jpeg" /></a><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span></span>
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span></span>
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span></span>
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span></span>
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span></span>
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span></span>
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span></span>
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span></span>
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span></span>
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span></span>
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span></span>
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span></span>
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Considering
the increasing number of mass school shootings nowadays, this tale of a
psychotic high school teacher who ends up slaughtering most of his students
with a double-barrelled shotgun is about as un-PC as you can get. However,
political correctness has never been much of a concern for this punk
rock-loving director, unless he’s sticking his middle finger up to it. In a
way, “Lesson of the Evil” is classic Miike, in that it starts off fairly
sedately, with an undercurrent of unease, before climaxing in a no-holds-barred
bloodfest which is so over-the-top it’s just as likely to induce guffaws as gasps. Hideaki
Ito is perfectly cast as the teacher, Mr. Hasumi, whose good looks and charming
nature blind those around him to his dark, twisted soul. While I found the
first half of the film, spent gradually chipping away at Mr. Hasumi’s façade of
normality, to be genuinely creepy, the concluding set piece is basically "Battle Royale" on speed!</span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
David Vickershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02012730243641142794noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-292723879095217009.post-60733733992921074802014-04-20T00:17:00.000-07:002014-05-01T00:16:48.830-07:00Dancing in the moonlight with Tsukiyoi<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For many "gaijin" like me who have fallen
under the spell of Japan, a big part of the attraction is the mish-mash of
cutting-edge modernity and quaint tradition. Like spotting a kimono-clad lady
in a subway train, or an ancient temple standing in the shadow of a gleaming skyscraper.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The aural equivalent of this can be heard
in the music of “Tsukiyoi”, a duo who combine traditional Japanese sounds with contemporary
electronic beats to create a thrilling and enchanting blend that is all their
own. "Tsukiyoi" literally means "intoxicated by the moon", which reflects the often other-worldly vibe of the music. The pair’s traditional half is represented by Kou, a petite young lady with
a mighty voice whose chosen instrument is the koto, similar to a harp but with
fewer strings and played on its side rather than upright. Bespectacled DJ and music
producer Tetsu is the Yin to Kou’s Yang, adding his brand of infectious house grooves
to the mixture, in a way that perfectly complements the soulful vocals and emotive koto strings.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrq1Fr4ZrJjSwuTKbu9V-u3XBzxsBOKw3l9X9CwfWegkrsLGsc3MB9USuUrshUNMaJuuauj6JIPhqSpo8V8iSftxqC7QNtTPLC_-FpigHmGPKSEDf8S6ElmcunIn-AoNq4cZmXnXHV/s1600/tsukiyoi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrq1Fr4ZrJjSwuTKbu9V-u3XBzxsBOKw3l9X9CwfWegkrsLGsc3MB9USuUrshUNMaJuuauj6JIPhqSpo8V8iSftxqC7QNtTPLC_-FpigHmGPKSEDf8S6ElmcunIn-AoNq4cZmXnXHV/s1600/tsukiyoi.jpg" /></a></div>
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Kou and Tetsu got together in 2011, and
their first release, “Rokudan”, was a modern instrumental arrangement of a
400-year-old koto piece. Perfect as background music for getting a massage or meditating, it
was nevertheless unlikely to trouble the charts or dance floors of Tokyo. The following
year, however, saw the duo expand their sound, raising the tempo and slipping
in Kou’s powerful vocals on the hypnotic “Yougao”, supposedly named after a
character from the ancient Japanese novel “The Tale of Genji”. Listening to the
duo’s subsequent releases, from the exquisitely languid “Lovers” to the uplifting
“Origin”, it’s clear that they are becoming gradually less reliant on the
traditional/modern angle as their confidence grows along with their fan base. For
example, while the koto remains a key element of many tracks, it doesn’t always
feature. Kou has other tricks up her billowing kimono sleeve, not least her
haunting, ethereal voice, which is perhaps showcased most impressively on “Lovers”. Her singing on this track has an almost timeless quality, transporting the listener to a mystical place. It starts off fairly soothingly but gradually builds to a rousing climax, along a wave of synth sound.</span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/YbsYrsYMeH8?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The duo are clearly influenced not only by traditional Japanese music but by Western dance and pop music. One of their more recent songs, "Samsara", even borrows from the back catalogue of the King of Pop himself, Michael Jackson, using the melody from his 1983 hit "Human Nature", which was later ripped off by the 90s girl group SWV. Personally, I much prefer this koto version! See what you think...</span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/VMjxScPr7kY?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you live in Japan, there should be plenty of chances to see Tsukiyoi in person over the coming months, as they're starting to tour more frequently, often to sold-out, though small, venues. Fans in Europe shouldn't feel left out either, as Tsukiyoi will be performing at the "Japan Expo" in Paris in July. It remains to be seen whether Kou and Testsu will achieve proper fame, at home or abroad, but in this music fan's humble opinion they're the ideal ambassadors for Japan's music scene, demonstrating great pride for their country's culture while absorbing all kinds of overseas influences, one thing that Japan has excelled at over the years.</span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Check out more information on Tsukiyoi at their official site: <a href="http://tsukiyoi.com/">tsukiyoi.com</a></span></div>
</div>
David Vickershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02012730243641142794noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-292723879095217009.post-27967169376096256902013-08-14T23:57:00.001-07:002013-08-19T15:12:01.337-07:00Shuichi Okita - Japan's Rising Star Behind the Camera<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Century","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: JA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">He may have only made four films so far in his
fledgling career, but director and screenwriter Shuichi Okita is well on his
way to being one of my favorite Japanese filmmakers. While Okita’s talent has
already been recognized in Japanese film circles (his third effort, “The
Woodsman and the Rain” was awarded the Special Jury Prize at the 2011 Tokyo
International Film Festival), he is still far from being a household name in
his homeland, let alone abroad. Compared to other, more internationally known, directors
from these shores, like Takashi Miike and Takeshi Kitano, Okita’s style is fairly
low-key and lighthearted, both in the themes he tackles and the way he goes
about doing so. There are few profound statements, spectacular set-pieces or
innovative visual effects, just good old-fashioned storytelling with engaging,
sympathetic characters and a generous helping of laughs as well as a few tears.
At the age of 36, Okita is still maturing as a filmmaker, and if there’s any
justice his fame will also continue to grow both in Japan and overseas. Below is a personal mini-ranking of his three mainstream releases so far (his debut, "Ryoichi & Kiyoshi," was seemingly so low-key that I've yet to be able to track it down!).</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Century","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: JA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Century","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: JA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10.5pt;">1. “The Woodsman and the Rain” /</span><span style="font-size: 10.5pt;">「キツツキと雨」</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10.5pt;">(2011)</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Century","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: JA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10.5pt;"><br /></span></span>
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8aqzCSNj8ztrG9q7Wsjz7WdO6YT9oTh8oK0FJHQDRZm_HY3h1ZCrrAuugbwgVDkLR9-NsT0tZ7Ud9922pNbCw56aRWJi7l1B1MYc-pvbZdfC_ix2q7yndeRPFIXTyuw9HgQ9v-POB/s1600/woodsman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8aqzCSNj8ztrG9q7Wsjz7WdO6YT9oTh8oK0FJHQDRZm_HY3h1ZCrrAuugbwgVDkLR9-NsT0tZ7Ud9922pNbCw56aRWJi7l1B1MYc-pvbZdfC_ix2q7yndeRPFIXTyuw9HgQ9v-POB/s320/woodsman.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is the film that first introduced me
to Okita’s gentle charm, and it’s the one I’d most highly recommend. The “woodsman”
in question is Katsu (played by Koji Yakusho, from "13 Assassins"), a recently widowed lumberjack who seems far more
comfortable cutting down trees with his chainsaw than interacting with anyone
around him in the run-down village where he lives. His hermit-like existence is
brought to an end, however, with the arrival of a film crew from the city, attempting
to make, of all things, a low-budget zombie movie. After initially agreeing,
with great reluctance, to help out the crew as a kind of local guide, Katsu
then gets roped into being cast as a zombie extra, and slowly but surely a
smile starts to show through his stubborn scowl. While Katsu’s character is the
emotional center of the story, he’s not the only one to be transformed for the
better by getting involved in the gory world of zombies. The crew’s hopelessly
nervous rookie director Koichi (Shun Oguri) also grows over the course of the
film, thanks largely to his unlikely friendship with Katsu. Indeed, the most
enjoyable part of the film for me was observing the developing relationship
between these two troubled individuals from such different backgrounds, how it
gradually changes from bemused awkwardness to mutual grudging respect. If "Woodsman" does have a message, apart from
“crappy zombie movies are bloody fun!”, it’s that the catalyst for change in a person's life can sometimes come from the most unlikely source.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Century","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: JA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">2. “Antarctic Chef” / </span><span style="font-family: "MS 明朝","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Century; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-language: JA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family: Century; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">「南極の料理人」</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Century","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: JA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> (2009)</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: JA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihCQafYNTh7-_h0Rk_N-XHvNJ81HyLN3zGm1-td3xgZKUr5VrkHcOn55wNJXCdkZppn8EyH1IETdJz7R0XaUkbgdD8C3Z6WNQxps69tzdQaQ8cxY3dP-EyRpSc1BiZePbSwNEm-Rx5/s1600/antarctic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihCQafYNTh7-_h0Rk_N-XHvNJ81HyLN3zGm1-td3xgZKUr5VrkHcOn55wNJXCdkZppn8EyH1IETdJz7R0XaUkbgdD8C3Z6WNQxps69tzdQaQ8cxY3dP-EyRpSc1BiZePbSwNEm-Rx5/s1600/antarctic.jpg" /></span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: JA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: JA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I’ve long had a fascination with the incredibly
harsh environment of Antarctica, in particular the brave, eccentric, or
possibly mad, people who choose to venture there. So I was pleasantly surprised
to find that Okita’s second film focuses on this very subject. It follows a
group of eight men who are holed up in a Japanese Antarctic research station
for over a year, chronicling in a humorous and sometimes moving way the
various issues that they face, with each other and their isolated circumstances,
and how they manage to deal with everything, some more successfully than
others! Among the rag-tag team, there’s the cheerful and super-fit doctor, who
thinks nothing of going for half-naked bike rides in a freezing blizzard, the
grumpy researcher, who cares only for his precious ice core samples, and his green young assistant, who develops a severe case of homesickness. Above all, though,
there’s the chef, Nishimura (Masato Sakai) whose skill and enthusiasm for his
work helps to keep everyone more or less sane. "Antarctic Chef" does have some genuine laugh-out-loud moments (I
especially loved the team’s aerobic sessions, their only regular contact with
women, albeit through a video screen), and its depiction of the lovingly cooked
meals and the interaction around the dinner table is really well done. On the
other hand, as a poignant character study, it’s not on the same level as "Woodsman" and the story jumps around a
little too much, which I found slightly confusing at times. Those are minor gripes,
though, as overall it works as what I feel it’s meant to be – a lighthearted
portrayal of male bonding.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Century","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: JA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span>
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 18.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-para-margin-left: 0gd; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US">3. “A Story of Yonosuke” </span><span style="font-family: "MS 明朝","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family: Century; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family: Century; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">「横道世之介」</span><span lang="EN-US">(2013)</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 18.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-para-margin-left: 0gd; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXnfU8w5c-yzubQBW402fMZsdkfuuNQtFmKNvk1P-u2xHlwhbwKw9_RrN5dYaV61vdfKKn8IQnc9XLVCwVlCtvvQGat2_Th6qPM154IZtlULvaXrDbCGDfqOZFiBUVQNgPwhBz0kEG/s1600/%E3%83%80%E3%82%A6%E3%83%B3%E3%83%AD%E3%83%BC%E3%83%89.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXnfU8w5c-yzubQBW402fMZsdkfuuNQtFmKNvk1P-u2xHlwhbwKw9_RrN5dYaV61vdfKKn8IQnc9XLVCwVlCtvvQGat2_Th6qPM154IZtlULvaXrDbCGDfqOZFiBUVQNgPwhBz0kEG/s1600/%E3%83%80%E3%82%A6%E3%83%B3%E3%83%AD%E3%83%BC%E3%83%89.jpg" /></span></a></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 18.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-para-margin-left: 0gd; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: JA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This may be my least favorite of Okita’s short
back catalogue, but in my eyes it still has a lot more going for it than most films
around these days, from Japan or anywhere else. I’ve heard it described as a kind
of “Japanese Forrest Gump,” which on one level is an understandable comparison,
in that its titular hero, Yonosuke (Kengo Kara), is a simple soul with a warm
heart who manages to touch the lives of those he meets without being fully
aware of it. While quite naïve and childlike in some ways, Yonosuke is far from
simple-minded though, and the main dilemma he faces in the film, hesitation on
declaring his feelings for the girl that he loves, is something that most of us
can identify with. Yonosuke’s story is mainly set in the 1980s, during his student
days, and I thought all the retro ‘80s touches (clothes, hairstyles, music, décor)
were really well done and fun to spot. Like all Okita films, there’s no shortage of awkward/funny moments, usually involving Yonosuke’s wide-eyed reactions at
the behavior of those around him (whether it’s his nihilist older brother, relentlessly
jolly best friend, or the object of his affection, rich-chick Shoko, who in
some ways is just as naïve as he is). Of the three films here, though, “Yonosuke”
had the least laughs for me, which is not necessarily a criticism. Indeed, some
of its more serious sections were also its most effective, in particular a few flash-forwards
to Yonosuke’s college friends in the present day reminiscing about how they met
him. These scenes seemed to carry the main message of the film: that certain friendships,
however fleeting, and however long ago, never lose their impression on our
lives.</span></div>
</div>
David Vickershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02012730243641142794noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-292723879095217009.post-86423131424929949652013-08-12T23:40:00.000-07:002014-05-01T00:52:31.242-07:00Review: "The Wind Rises" (風立ちぬ) Directed by Hayao Miyazaki<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Hayao Miyazaki, the founder of “Ghibli” film
studios, is the undisputed king of Japanese animation. As the medium
increasingly becomes dominated by digital technology, Ghibli remains a bastion of
tradition, its films largely the work of pencil and paintbrush rather than computer
pixels. To many, Miyazaki can do no wrong, underlined by the string of
box-office and critical successes he’s helmed since “Nausica of the Valley of
the Wind” almost 30 years ago. Over the past decade or so, however, his dazzling
reputation has been slightly blemished. In my eyes, at least, the last truly
great work to come from his brush was “Spirited Away” in 2001.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmviz1ccgyxO7Lo616pXmVsjmSq4fhOj7xMTK78_Qr3hkkKQXiHt55F-XgcxiE570jkfKX21MtZQKFD-kxeq6KIQSEJTFdiT4Rys6lSMjwa55bK3UFFDjrQWygriHZJwsJcesb_EvO/s1600/TheWind-Rises1-510x258.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmviz1ccgyxO7Lo616pXmVsjmSq4fhOj7xMTK78_Qr3hkkKQXiHt55F-XgcxiE570jkfKX21MtZQKFD-kxeq6KIQSEJTFdiT4Rys6lSMjwa55bK3UFFDjrQWygriHZJwsJcesb_EvO/s320/TheWind-Rises1-510x258.jpg" height="161" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Nevertheless, this hardly lessened my anticipation on the release of his latest feature, “The Wind Rises,” here last
month. Reading up about the film beforehand, and watching the preview trailer,
it seemed to have all the hallmarks of a Miyazaki classic – stunning visuals,
of course, but also an intriguing story that takes in the themes of love, war
and the power of dreams. In a first for the director, though, the setting is
not some kind of made-up mystical world but that of our own, specifically
pre-Second World War Japan. The film serves as a homage to Jiro Horikoshi, the inventor
of the Zero aircraft, which played a major role in Japan’s ultimately doomed
war effort. Horikoshi’s fascination for manned flight is something that the
white-whiskered animator undoubtedly shares, as anyone who’s seen “Castle in
the Sky,” “Porco Rosso,” or pretty much any Miyazaki flick, could attest.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">“The Wind Rises” is basically an animated
biopic of Horikoshi, following him from the beginnings of his plane obsession
as a kid to the launch of the famed Zero. Apart from a few dream sequences,
there are no major flights of fancy, and this has left many viewers, who presumably
went along expecting something more along the lines of floating castles or
soaring dragons, severely disappointed. It’s certainly hard to imagine how
anyone under the age of twelve could sit through over 2 hours of “The Wind
Rises” without dozing off. But seeing as I’m a mature 30-something guy with a
keen interest in modern Japanese history, I should have had no such problem. Right?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Well, as it happens, while I wasn't bored by “The Wind
Rises” I wasn’t exactly blown away by it either. Around a week on from
watching the film, it hasn’t left a hugely positive impression on me to be honest, which is
a great shame after I’d had such high expectations. The lack of a fantastical
element wasn’t the problem. If anything, I welcomed this more serious and
mature take on the kiddy-dominated genre of anime. It was also, as expected, a
visual treat, with an abundance of memorable images and lovingly created detail throughout (I especially loved the opening dream sequence where a young Jiro flies joyfully around the countryside in a mini-plane of his own). No, what the filmed lacked for me was an emotional core. Though I was an interested observer, I never really felt that the film sucked me into its world, as Miyazaki's best work can do. Just as crucially, apart from young Jiro at the start, I never found myself caring for any of the characters, particularly grown-up Jiro. Which leads me on to my main gripe: Hideaki Anno.</span><br />
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO4JyzR7KgbFLkHZ_-0VaaLRl654Gf4B_eiTwPlb18FQhTQM7C4yTvKrMVJpgSv7WICoNsiTAN0cT0i5sNmK2CfrrwlhkTYt-BH0bKzRdilSxgTqA6X63nU-6UELTc5Lde91k1kmNJ/s1600/TheWindRises2-510x258.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO4JyzR7KgbFLkHZ_-0VaaLRl654Gf4B_eiTwPlb18FQhTQM7C4yTvKrMVJpgSv7WICoNsiTAN0cT0i5sNmK2CfrrwlhkTYt-BH0bKzRdilSxgTqA6X63nU-6UELTc5Lde91k1kmNJ/s320/TheWindRises2-510x258.jpg" height="161" width="320" /></a></div>
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-US">Hideaki Anno is best known as the creator of the wildly popular "Evangelion" anime series. He also worked together with Miyazaki on Nausica, and they've been close friends ever since. What he has never been, until now, is a voice actor, or any kind of actor. Nevertheless, Miyazaki took the bold step to cast his buddy in the central speaking role of Jiro. And in my view he totally drops the ball. For a start, at 53, his voice is too old for Jiro, who's in his 20s and 30s for the majority of the film. But more than that, he sounds so flat and emotionless, which dragged down every scene when he opened his mouth for me. This effect was exaggerated when alongside the other <i>professional </i>voice actors, especially Miori Takimoto as the love interest, Naoko. Takimoto manages to bring such charm to her character, and there are a number of touching scenes between Naoko and Jiro, but their relationship just wasn't believable for me as I could never see her being drawn to this guy with a robotic, old man's voice, no matter how much of a genius he was.</span><br />
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-US">Anyway, this issue shouldn't matter for those watching the eventual dubbed versions of "The Wind Rises." I usually prefer subtitles to dubbing in foreign language films, but I think I'll make an exception in this case. It will be interesting to see how much the viewing experience is improved for me minus Anno, but I'll have to wait a while to test this out as the film won't be getting an overseas release until some time next spring. I'd still encourage anyone, especially Miyazaki fans, to see "The Wind Rises," as there's plenty to delight the eyes if not the ears. Just don't expect a classic.</span></div>
David Vickershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02012730243641142794noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-292723879095217009.post-4935181976490505932013-05-30T22:25:00.001-07:002014-05-01T00:51:46.643-07:00Review: "Colorless Tsukuru Tasaki and His Years of Pilgrimage" by Haruki Murakami<div class="MsoNormal">
The growing popularity of Haruki Murakami,
Japan’s most famous, and some would say greatest, living writer, was confirmed
last month with the publishing of his latest novel. “Colorless Tsukuru Tasaki
and His Years of Pilgrimage” is a somewhat less ambitious and significantly
shorter work than his previous effort, “1Q84,” but that didn’t stop it from
shattering sales records here in Japan, as it shifted over 1 million copies
within just one week of hitting the shelves. So great was the expectation for
Murakami’s first novel in four years that a number of bookstores opened their
doors especially at midnight on the day of release, to oblige desperate fans
unable to wait another minute to start reading. While I’m a huge admirer of the
author myself, I was patient enough to wait until the following morning to get my
hands on a copy. Now, a few weeks later, having reached the end of my own little
pilgrimage through the book’s pages, I’m ready to share my thoughts.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAAHJmNY-zBBvya8A1vgwioFS_2H9VFaVQMJl1QaOmeG70nFxEAKcC6L7XkHrQ3bD-KlF5tMMeGW1qOw_8xWavnSlL1FrHhYfRqI8Koao4doFnWS8xTVej6_O6D2qPNymorif4WtPx/s1600/tasaki.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAAHJmNY-zBBvya8A1vgwioFS_2H9VFaVQMJl1QaOmeG70nFxEAKcC6L7XkHrQ3bD-KlF5tMMeGW1qOw_8xWavnSlL1FrHhYfRqI8Koao4doFnWS8xTVej6_O6D2qPNymorif4WtPx/s1600/tasaki.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Without giving too much away, the story
follows Tsukuru, a quiet, unassuming guy in his mid-thirties (like pretty much
every other Murakami protagonist!), who in this case designs train stations for
a living in Tokyo. While fairly happy in his job, he has trouble forming
meaningful relationships, all because of a traumatic experience from his student days when, suddenly and </span>without explanation, his four
closest high school friends cut off all contact with him. Tsukuru is referred to as “colorless” because he
was the only one of the group not to feature a color in his surname, and the “pilgrimage”
of the title basically involves him setting out to meet these four friends
again, sixteen years after the ties between them were cut. By discovering the
reason behind this puzzling rejection, he hopes to be able to put his mind at rest
and move on with his life.</div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Reading “Colorless Tsukuru…” on the back of
“1Q84” – a typically sprawling and surreal Murakami tale featuring parallel
dimensions, shady religious cults, a town of cats and kids in cocoons – the thing that struck me
most a few chapters in was how comparatively <i>normal </i>it was. It reminded me a lot of Murakami’s breakthrough
novel “Norwegian Wood,” a story that is similarly rooted in the real world and
follows a main character scarred by his relationship experiences as a young man. When making
this comparison, however, I found “Colorless Tsukuru…” to be lacking in some ways. For example, “Norweigen Wood” contains much more in terms of
interesting social commentary, being set in the turbulent Tokyo of the early
1960s, and it also has a cast of more engaging characters. None of the people I
encountered during the course of “Colorless Tsukuru…” really jumped off the
page and grabbed my attention like, for instance, Midori or Reiko from “Norwegian Wood” managed to.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Although I wasn’t totally drawn in by
the story, or captivated by its characters, I did find plenty to enjoy in it,
and by the end I was firmly rooting for Tsukuru to achieve his long-sought-for peace of mind. I also liked the fact that, unlike the bloated “1Q84,” this was
a much more streamlined and compact tale, which never dragged. It could have
done with more a bit more characteristic Murakami weirdness and dry humor to lighten the overly melancholic tone, but
there were enough genuinely memorable and moving passages within it for me to
give it a firm thumbs up. I especially liked the story-within-a-story early on, told to Tsukuru by his college friend, about an aging pianist who claims he carries around the gift of death, which he's willing to pass onto anyone who wishes to die in his place. Indeed, the grim specter of death looms over this
novel from its opening line: "From July of his sophomore year at college to January of the next year, Tsukuru Tasaki was mostly thinking about dying."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">This focus on death is just one of a number
of common Murakami themes covered during the course of “Colorless Tsukuru…”
There are also musings on the blurring between dreams and reality, the
connection between music and memory, and nostalgia for lost innocence of youth, as well as exhaustive descriptions of what people are wearing and eating (though unusually no mention of cats!). Indeed, probably the main criticism leveled at Murakami is that he tends to
repeat himself from novel to novel. While I accept this is true in a way, I don’t
believe it's necessarily a negative quality. Reading a new Murakami novel is a bit like
meeting up with a close friend after many years, just as Tsukuru does – you hope
they haven’t changed too much as this may lead to the loss of what made you
friends in the first place. It didn’t bother me that this story ploughed over
some familiar furrows, as this familiarity itself was comforting. That said, it’s
not so interesting if the friend/book in question stays completely the same, and there were
enough distinguishing elements to this latest work to keep me turning the
pages. In any case, to me there’s something seductive about Murakami’s simple yet powerfully
evocative style whatever he's writing about. I wouldn't put it past him to make even the
latest stock market reports a pleasurable reading experience!</span></div>
</div>
David Vickershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02012730243641142794noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-292723879095217009.post-68755391393611868042013-05-08T04:24:00.000-07:002013-05-09T22:10:36.160-07:00AKB48 Theater - Heart of CutenessIn the world of Japanese popular culture, AKB48 are a pop behemoth of Godzilla-like proportions. They are not only huge in terms of actual size (a world record 86 members) but in the scale of their success (over 20 million CDs sold to date) and general all-pervading <i>kawaii </i>(cute) influence here in Japan. It seems that every other billboard and TV commercial features the sweetly smiling faces of the group's more famous members plugging everything from chocolate to smartphones. Much more than just a musical act, AKB48 is a phenomenon, with a fanatical, overwhelmingly male fan base who worship their favourite members as idols (kind of like Justin Bieber beliebers but with more facial hair). While I don't count myself among their ranks, I was still pretty excited to be offered the chance by a friend last month to gain access to the holiest of holy sites for the group's cult following - the AKB48 Theater!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDo4fMm7Zw0Kt9rOn_KjzDWxge49loh7kbjBvhuHmjIUsm4DSFHaP48SnUkPLIUWA17SblqLw2dNsJ-Vp4kkgNhzgk0Fi2G3NaYVFwwDGfAl25eJ8IQuIJdKW12mHLD27f5B2eyXtJ/s1600/IMG_0323%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDo4fMm7Zw0Kt9rOn_KjzDWxge49loh7kbjBvhuHmjIUsm4DSFHaP48SnUkPLIUWA17SblqLw2dNsJ-Vp4kkgNhzgk0Fi2G3NaYVFwwDGfAl25eJ8IQuIJdKW12mHLD27f5B2eyXtJ/s320/IMG_0323%5B1%5D.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>"Japan's most sophisticated show", apparently.</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Located in the Akihabara district of Tokyo, from which the group takes its name, the AKB48 Theater represents the spiritual home and focal point for the whole AKB48 empire. When record producer Yasushi Akimoto
launched the group back in 2005, the main way he aimed to distinguish them from their pop idol rivals was to exploit the “girl next door” appeal and
make the members more accessible to the fans, as real people rather than just pretty faces
on a TV screen. This was largely made possible through establishing the
dedicated space of the AKB48 Theater, where performances could be held on an
almost daily basis by rotating the deep member roster. It’s not hard to
see why Akihabara was chosen as the group’s base - the place is swarming with <i>otaku</i> (geeks, or obsessive fans, particularly of anime and computer games) who come
to shop in the area’s many electronics and hobby stores and hang out in maid
cafes. A typical<i> otaku</i> may be a single guy in his 20s-30s with a penchant for bubbly young girls with squeaky voices and wide eyes who perhaps remind him of his favorite anime character – in short, the kind of guy most likely to fall for
the adolescent charms of AKB48! It also seems completely appropriate that the theater itself can be found
on the top floor of Don Quijote, a discount chain store that sells, among other
things, computer games, anime DVDs and figurines.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">The show that I went along to was
especially for fans born in the month of April. A friend of mine had got hold of 2 tickets
by applying online through a random lottery system, and kindly offered the spare to
me, being a fellow April birthday boy. On stepping off the escalator shortly
before the performance was due to start, we were ushered to a space by the theater
entrance where we had to join one of several lines, divided up according to
ticket number. We were then subjected to another lottery, this time to
determine the order in which we could enter the theater. Unfortunately, our
line number was one of the last to be drawn, meaning that we had to settle for
a standing spot near the back. It didn’t matter too much though,
as the theater itself was surprisingly small, with a capacity of just over 200. On reflection, I guess I shouldn’t have been too surprised – like most
massive empires, AKB48 come from humble beginnings, and
besides, the small size of the venue serves to make it more intimate, helping preserve accessibility to the fans.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">The 16 members who took to the stage for
this particular performance were all classed as <i>kenkyusei </i>(literally "research students" though closer to interns), which meant there was a distinct
lack of familiar faces for me, as well as a relatively, ahem, youthful tone, with
an average age of 15-16 years old. One face I did recognize was 20 year-old Minami
Minegishi, a prominent member of the main group who had been demoted to the ranks
of <i>kenkyusei</i> a month or so previously
for the shameful crime of spending the night at the apartment of a Japanese
boyband member, which broke the strict ban on AKB members having relations with
the opposite sex. She must have been performing in a wig on this day, as she’d shaved off
her hair when caught as a sign of contrition for her subversive behavior!</span><br />
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US"></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img height="194" src="http://p.twpl.jp/show/large/iIMNc" width="320" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Interesting costume choice - pajamas + jacket</i></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Moving on to the performance, to
be honest, I’ve never been much of a fan of the AKB48 brand of bouncy, saccharine
pop, and I wasn’t exactly converted through the experience of hearing it live. Having
said that, it was perfectly listenable, inoffensive fluff. We weren’t treated to any of the group’s big hits, as the set list was exclusive to the AKB48 theater,
but I wasn’t too bothered about this as most of the songs sound pretty much the
same to me anyway. I actually found some of the song titles more interesting than the songs themselves (pajama drive, moody mermaid*, angel’s tail*, Joan of Arc in the mirror*). One thing I
was impressed with was the bewildering array of costumes. For instance, as
well as a fetching pajama and jacket combo for “pajama drive,” the members
strutted their stuff in shiny space suits, marching band outfits and, of course, the obligatory school uniforms. (*rough translation)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Now, I couldn’t write about this experience
without touching on the slightly creepy aspect of it all. The fact that a fair
proportion of the girls on stage weren’t even out of high school
made me feel like a bit of a “dirty old man” just being there. While the dancing and costumes couldn’t exactly be described as Rihanna-level raunchy, it was hard to escape the fact that I was in an audience made up of
around 95% grown men who were most likely not just there for the music. I don’t
want to simply label AKB fans as perverts, however. If that was all there was
to the attraction, then they could get their kicks more easily on the Internet or elsewhere. For me, the key part of the whole performance, and the secret behind AKB48’s mass appeal, was epitomized in the breaks between songs, when the members interacted with the audience and each other. One typical exchange involved members
taking it in turns to say what they were “into” recently. The responses were
mostly pretty standard, teenage girl stuff (a certain kind of ice cream, their
pet dog, sleeping), though there were a few weird answers such as one girl's fondness for the smell of a particular fellow member's sweaty BO. I had to laugh when one of the younger members
said she was into </span><span style="font-family: "MS 明朝","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family: Century; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family: Century; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">葉っぱ</span><span lang="EN-US">, which basically means “leaves” but
could also refer to a certain kind of recreational drug (she most likely meant the former but I prefer to believe she was talking about the latter)! My point is that they basically came across as normal teenage girls, without any airs or graces, just having a good time hanging out with their friends. They didn’t appear as untouchable
stars but as genuine, approachable, personalities. A final, personal touch was laid on
after the show when everyone in the audience received a mini birthday card
handwritten by one of the performing members (mine had misspelled her message “Happy
Biathday” but that merely added to the charm).</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">So, while I’m far from being a convert to
the legion of AKB fans, I do feel that I at least have a bit more appreciation for their
appeal after visiting the ABK48 Theater. Whether you're an <i>otaku</i> or not, as a quintessential taste of the bizarre/<i>kawaii </i>mixture that characterizes much of modern Japan it's an experience I'd recommend.</span></div>
David Vickershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02012730243641142794noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-292723879095217009.post-89909364765821920862012-09-30T02:01:00.001-07:002012-09-30T02:01:59.963-07:00The Bewitching Beats of ToeOn a baking afternoon in July, chilling with a beer in a field in Niigata, I was roused from my slightly drunken reverie by a sweet sweet sound wafting on the breeze, all twangley guitars and rat-a-tat drumming. It was one of those all-too-rare love-at-first-hear experiences when I knew within a few beats that here was a band that I'd never grow tired of. The occasion was the Fuji Rock Festival and the band was Toe.<br />
<br />
One of the great things about music festivals is stumbling across new music that you wouldn't usually get exposed to. In this case, I was particularly pleased that my new musical love was Japanese as I'd been waiting in vain for an artist from my adopted home with the potential to not just be "big in Japan" but around the world too. I feel that Toe have a better chance than most of their contemporaries of gaining overseas recognition, partly because they rarely sing in Japanese (actually, they rarely sing at all), but mostly because their music has a universal quality that transcends boundaries or nationalities. But don't just take my word for it - check out this highlight from their latest live DVD (the track kicks in properly on about 1 minute).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<object width="320" height="266" class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://1.gvt0.com/vi/e0RWnzd_b_k/0.jpg"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/e0RWnzd_b_k&fs=1&source=uds" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/e0RWnzd_b_k&fs=1&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object>\</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I don't generally like pigeon-holing bands in a particular genre anyway, but Toe defy classification more than most. On the surface, their make-up of two guitarists, a bassist and a drummer would suggest them to be a rock band. However, their instrumental-heavy sound is closer in style to jazz than rock. While all four members are blessed with undeniable musical talent, I'd have to say that the drummer, Takashi Kashikura, is the stand-out performer, and the one who the band revolves around. I'm no expert on drumming but I know a genius with drumsticks when I hear one. For him, drumming isn't just about keeping a beat, it's about creating a frenzied throng of beats for the listener to get lost in. Kashikura is actually a very busy man, as he plays in another, even better-known, Japanese band, The Hiatus, who are much more straight-out rock, and incidentally are pretty damn good themselves.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Although I have only recently discovered them, Toe have been around for 12 years already, in which time they've released two full-length albums and a number of EPs. Visiting their website (<a href="http://www.toe.st/">http://www.toe.st</a>), I was thrilled to see they have just been touring in Europe through September. I really hope they can continue to spread their fan base even further outside of Japan, as their spine-tingling tunes certainly deserve to be heard by as many people as possible in my opinion. For those reading this in Japan, Toe will also be performing with their label-mates Tangled Hair, in mid October, in Yokohama and Tokyo. I certainly plan to be there, and to continue to support this magical band for many years to come.</div>
David Vickershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02012730243641142794noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-292723879095217009.post-46126876163976669992012-07-18T00:47:00.001-07:002012-07-18T00:47:07.915-07:00Red Ronin's Selection: Recent Japanese FilmsIf you're a foreigner in Japan with a desire to improve in the local lingo, as well as broaden your cultural knowledge, then one of the most effective, and fun, resources is to be found on the shelves of your local DVD rental store. Japan is currently experiencing somewhat of a "Golden Age" of cinema, with more domestically-made films being released to larger audiences than ever before. However, much like elsewhere these days, the quality releases seem to be vastly outnumbered by the mindless dross. So, I've decided to provide the service of selecting five of my personal favorite Japanese films of the past couple of years. These are all fairly mainstream and accessible fare (no hardcore horror or art-house cinema, I'm afraid) which should be easily located on your next trip down to Tsutaya (other rental stores are available). I've tried to include a variety of genres to suit tastes, and while I can't guarantee you'll share in my gushing praise of the films below, you should at least be passably entertained by them (which is saying something in the current worldwide dross-infested film climate!)<br />
<br />
1. <i>Suteki na Kanashibari </i>/ <i>Once in a Blue Moon</i> (Comedy, 2011)<br />
The latest effort from cult director Koki Mitani, has both great charm and a barrel-load of laughs. While most Japanese comedies seem to be of the hysterical, slapstick variety, with little room for subtlety, Mitani's tongue-in-cheek style harks back to the days of classic Billie Wilder comedies such as <i>Some Like it Hot</i>. The plot centers around a young lawyer, played by Mitani's muse Eri Fukatsu, who attempts to solve a murder case with the help of the ghost of a Samurai warrior. Sounds pretty ridiculous, which it is, but a host of great performances and clever twists mean that the story never drags, and there is even a genuinely emotional ending.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfotOzWAxZkpJ0iE6pQMkyO_UxqJmVFcpp8mtlcvfOcUAyp2Wr0AwN4zS6mWsVPEiyALncrbwf0kNXQ88VzCHjcQATavI_sWdXbxrB9ghaV6khs1mdA79NmBOdJdumDI7iRfZC2_wj/s1600/kanashibari.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfotOzWAxZkpJ0iE6pQMkyO_UxqJmVFcpp8mtlcvfOcUAyp2Wr0AwN4zS6mWsVPEiyALncrbwf0kNXQ88VzCHjcQATavI_sWdXbxrB9ghaV6khs1mdA79NmBOdJdumDI7iRfZC2_wj/s1600/kanashibari.jpeg" /></a></div>
<br />
2. <i>Youka-me no Semi </i>(trans: Eighth-day Cicada) (Drama, 2011)<br />
Based on the acclaimed novel by Mitsuyo Kakuta, this harrowing tale of a baby kidnapping also went on to garner multiple awards for its lead actress Hiromi Nagasaku, deservedly so in my humble opinion. The story is split in two, alternating between the kidnapping's immediate aftermath, and the present day, where the baby in question has
grown into a young woman. Nagasaku's portrayal of the kidnapper, Kiwako, is truly heartbreaking, as she manages to generate great sympathy and pity for a character who could simply be condemned for her actions. It's certainly not an easy watch, but this is a film that will stay with you long after the credits have rolled.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-NL_H5UdZtomZ67Z64M9IMWhz830uaTNo8DNIei0k4ldw1h8HKIFPmRQU0UFrbzypK6Awadr05AHivYUp-LQXfc3-f5rhhyphenhyphenfHcMAO8AqwrP0WpP7vGGSAYt4395PsjRfdnf8K9zSI/s1600/semi.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-NL_H5UdZtomZ67Z64M9IMWhz830uaTNo8DNIei0k4ldw1h8HKIFPmRQU0UFrbzypK6Awadr05AHivYUp-LQXfc3-f5rhhyphenhyphenfHcMAO8AqwrP0WpP7vGGSAYt4395PsjRfdnf8K9zSI/s1600/semi.jpeg" /></a></div>
<br />
3. <i>Futatabi </i>/<i> Swing me Again </i>(Drama, 2010)<br />
While this wasn't as big of a commercial hit as the other films on this list, in terms of feel-good power it's hard to top. It's a classic "road movie," with the two travelers in question being an elderly jazz trumpeter (played with suitable gruff charm by comedian Ichiro Zaitsu) and his surly grandson who also happens to play the trumpet. Zaitsu's character has suffered from the debilitating Hansen's disease for the past 50 years, and now that he's in recovery he tries to seek out the other members of his former band for one last performance. Needless to say, the search mission doesn't all go smoothly, but there are plenty of smiles and tears along the way. Even if you're not a big fan of jazz (and I'm not), this is an enjoyable and rewarding film, with real heart.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdkpfjUZbYklj3qM4mrRkOLOoL4wqdle3rx4JrWOu_ce13No3YKkajLHYAmPyXkV9UZ-9AT348D5KFmaDfSjMvJ57zjfJB8AOoN-eSON7i5kV46weB2AWXU7MRb0RHh66g5oPUDx6w/s1600/swing.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdkpfjUZbYklj3qM4mrRkOLOoL4wqdle3rx4JrWOu_ce13No3YKkajLHYAmPyXkV9UZ-9AT348D5KFmaDfSjMvJ57zjfJB8AOoN-eSON7i5kV46weB2AWXU7MRb0RHh66g5oPUDx6w/s1600/swing.jpeg" /></a></div>
<br />
4. <i>Gantz </i>(Action, 2011)<br />
As with so many major films in Japan these days, <i>Gantz </i>originates from a popular manga series, in this case a sci-fi action caper where a team of seemingly random challengers are tasked with battling a formidable lineup of "aliens" one-by-one. I won't bother trying to explain the complicated plot, as to be honest I was kind of left behind half way through. However, that didn't really effect my viewing enjoyment, as in terms of special effects and action set-pieces, this is one of the most impressive Japanese films I have seen in recent years. Just leave your brain at the door and enjoy the ride! (but don't bother with the sequel, <i>Gantz: Perfect Answer</i>, as that really is a bit of an overblown mess)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg88juWcjiqKc9ItwtQHkHU68oVTFcOaJE7CQd4d1xaON0t-mCpiMhQCCKPPOaVdaFioU0WcpKqF73E6fLLQBG5_FjDPa02N51Au86W-sRosqsmMDyuNc0_BxikMqPvh2gXeh6A2y60/s1600/gantz.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg88juWcjiqKc9ItwtQHkHU68oVTFcOaJE7CQd4d1xaON0t-mCpiMhQCCKPPOaVdaFioU0WcpKqF73E6fLLQBG5_FjDPa02N51Au86W-sRosqsmMDyuNc0_BxikMqPvh2gXeh6A2y60/s1600/gantz.jpeg" /></a></div>
5. <i>Tantei wa Bar ni Iru </i>(trans: The Detective is in the Bar) (Action/Comedy, 2011)<br />
One of the most interesting things about this film for me was its location of snowy Sapporo, a refreshing change from all the films and TV shows set in and around Tokyo. The "Detective" of the title, endowed with lashings of cynicism and dry humor by Yo Oizumi, spends much of the film getting beaten about by local <i>Yakuza</i>, as he doggedly investigates the disappearance of a young woman. The plot and atmosphere of this film reminded me in some ways of a Raymond Chandler effort, complete with the obligatory femme fatalle, played here admirably by the gorgeous Ko Yuki. Anyway, in the genre of detective-based action/comedy, I definitely recommend this over the wildly popular but frankly annoying <i>Odoru Daisosasen</i> (trans: Dancing Major Investigation) series.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ-jI_89gsAb7VhuWoDt9fRF2ME8z1c3YW64IWLBfKI4X5WDbzQN5O6GYbm6jePx3aIIu_hWpwXem7AtoYOEUScr0tuGG3_1NTD2G4gkrMpsmSagw4z9XrY-3SOD9EKQegndK6Q44x/s1600/tantei.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ-jI_89gsAb7VhuWoDt9fRF2ME8z1c3YW64IWLBfKI4X5WDbzQN5O6GYbm6jePx3aIIu_hWpwXem7AtoYOEUScr0tuGG3_1NTD2G4gkrMpsmSagw4z9XrY-3SOD9EKQegndK6Q44x/s1600/tantei.jpeg" /></a></div>
<br />David Vickershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02012730243641142794noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-292723879095217009.post-80544190840086992582012-06-05T23:57:00.000-07:002012-06-05T23:57:34.826-07:00Mr. Children come of age at 20<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:DoNotShowRevisions/>
<w:DoNotPrintRevisions/>
<w:DoNotShowComments/>
<w:DoNotShowInsertionsAndDeletions/>
<w:DoNotShowPropertyChanges/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>2</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:SpaceForUL/>
<w:BalanceSingleByteDoubleByteWidth/>
<w:DoNotLeaveBackslashAlone/>
<w:ULTrailSpace/>
<w:DoNotExpandShiftReturn/>
<w:AdjustLineHeightInTable/>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/>
<w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
<w:Word11KerningPairs/>
<w:CachedColBalance/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:標準の表;
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0mm 5.4pt 0mm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0mm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.5pt;
mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Century","serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Century;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Century;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-font-kerning:1.0pt;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US">While I try to stay more or less in the
loop when it comes to Japanese popular culture - it helps with writing a blog
like this for a start! - I must admit that one area in which I have become somewhat out of touch in recent years is Japanese popular music (aka: J-Pop). This
isn’t for lack of trying, however. Many is the time I’ve plugged myself into
the listening post in Tower Records or wherever, drawn by the exotic promise of
the nonsensical band name (Flumpool, Bump of Chicken, Thee Michelle Gun
Elephant) and curious to discover some new sonic delights, only to be
ultimately underwhelmed. At such times, I find myself getting nostalgic for the
days of the late ‘90s / early noughties, when I used to listen to a fair amount
of J-Pop, and regularly find bands whose music genuinely moved me and left a
lasting impression. Chief among these was the only-slightly-weirdly-named Mr.
Children (or “Misu-Chilu” as they are affectionately referred to by most
locals).</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZiA5QEBivps6kpDKiD9M3dLm8qLF49SgyH71BEbnNl1ycDyoQYADP87qim1TQ2PUrzBK7wwjRIxUtJn5AN6ANDS821Ha_CQgwOlu_Poyvla0HNNm42ClopJyqEPbQZHACjAGT2Kfs/s1600/MrChildren2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZiA5QEBivps6kpDKiD9M3dLm8qLF49SgyH71BEbnNl1ycDyoQYADP87qim1TQ2PUrzBK7wwjRIxUtJn5AN6ANDS821Ha_CQgwOlu_Poyvla0HNNm42ClopJyqEPbQZHACjAGT2Kfs/s320/MrChildren2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US">In a Japanese popular music scene dominated
by tweeny girl groups like AKB48 and so-called “visual-kei” acts such as L’Arc
En Ciel, who seem to be more about the look and the product than the actual
music, Mr. Children have long stood out for me as a <i>proper</i> band with <i>proper</i>
tunes. If I had to liken them to any Western band, I guess it would be U2.
Apart from the relative longevity and massive popularity, their musical styles
are fairly similar, with back catalogs bursting with soaring stadium-sized
anthems, tailor made for being played before seas of lighter-waving fans. The
two bands’ lead singers also have quite a bit in common. As well as taking on
the lion’s share of songwriting duties, like Bono, Kazutoshi Sakurai is a
captivating on-stage presence, in possession of a chameleon-like voice just as
suited to screeching a rousing rock chorus as it is to crooning a heartfelt
ballad.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US">Fortunately for me, listening to Mr.
Children is not just a matter of nostalgia, as they remain just as wildly popular
now as they were back in the ‘90s. Indeed, the spotlight is shining on the band
stronger than ever at the moment, due to the fact that May 2012 marks their 20th
anniversary. To celebrate this landmark (which makes me feel pretty damn old…),
two best-of albums have been released, and unsurprisingly shot straight to the
top of the charts – “micro” covers the period 2001-2005 while “macro” takes us
up to 2010, basically repeating the pattern of their 10th
anniversary, when two best-of albums covering their career up to 2001 were
released. Mr. Children have barely paused for breath over their two decade
career, having released a total of 16 albums and 34 singles to date. This
prolific output is even more impressive when you consider some of the obstacles
the band have had to overcome, not least in 2002 when lead singer Sakurai was diagnosed
with a serious brain infection. The fact that he was back on stage again within
a matter months after such a potentially life-threatening setback is testament
to his and the band’s unshakable spirit and commitment to their work.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US">In my opinion these four best-of albums are
an ideal showcase of Mr. Children’s charms, and an effective riposte to anyone
who thinks that J-pop music lacks emotional power. If I had to recommend one of
the four compilations as an introduction to the band, it would be “micro”
(2001-2005) as this period arguably represents their popular and creative peak.
The fact that 14 of the 15 tracks on the album are credited as either a TV
drama or commercial theme song just goes to show how deep the band’s
penetration of popular culture in Japan was at the time. Tunes like “Youthful
Days,” “Any” and “Hero” have lost little of their impact over the years, while
some of the videos, also included in the album package, have rightly earned
all-time classic status. For example, the beautifully shot “Kurumi” tells the touching
and humorous tale of a down-and-out salaryman who rediscovers his ‘mojo’ with
the help of an old acoustic guitar. I dare anyone to watch it without feeling
moved!</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/UGbqOjD2Lq8?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US">The fact that Mr. Children have managed to
remain at the top of the musical heap in Japan for twenty years is certainly a
feat worth celebrating. However, Mr. Sakurai and Co. are unlikely to rest on
their laurels. I wouldn’t bet against them continuing the pattern and releasing
another pair of best-of albums ten years from now, packed with just as many
quality tunes as ever.</span></span></div>David Vickershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02012730243641142794noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-292723879095217009.post-41644282349274689812012-05-08T01:51:00.000-07:002012-05-11T00:01:10.241-07:00Japanese moviegoers getting left behindThis summer promises to be a exciting time for movie lovers, with a slew of big releases on the horizon. "The Avengers" has already kicked things off in fine style this month, breaking international box office records, and June will likely see the "Alien" prequel "Prometheus" and Pixar's latest effort "Brave" entertaining cinema audiences across the globe. With one notable exception - Japan.<br />
<br />
Those like me who live in Japan will have to wait until August at the earliest to see any of the above movies on the big screen. And a wait of two-three months is, by Japanese standards, comparatively brief! Upcoming cinema releases here include the critically acclaimed George Clooney drama "The Descendants," Woody Allen's quirky comedy "Midnight in Paris" and the welcome return of "The Muppets," all of which were released almost everywhere else <i>last year</i>!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXYXsvBRNjMy0iWQ8fNqnHpyF83IhvNFzEFZaIolpveLF3_b5e8q-wlJEPSmjrYy2kbd7650tYG51kYvtJddoFME2rf7Ef4wHy3MB6cedKixXu7IkHYmFwffuDVJ_oELqe6i70wVx2/s1600/migp.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXYXsvBRNjMy0iWQ8fNqnHpyF83IhvNFzEFZaIolpveLF3_b5e8q-wlJEPSmjrYy2kbd7650tYG51kYvtJddoFME2rf7Ef4wHy3MB6cedKixXu7IkHYmFwffuDVJ_oELqe6i70wVx2/s1600/migp.jpeg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Tom Cruise signs for fans at the Mi4 premiere</i></div>
<br />
Such delays aren't the case for every foreign movie release here, as blockbuster franchises such as "Transformers" or "Mission Impossible" tend to be largely immune. However, if you fancy watching a movie with quality acting and plot, rather than just explosions and CGI, you're likely going to need bags of patience.<br />
<br />
So what could be the reason behind this tardiness? When I first lived in Japan back in the 90s, I mainly put it down to being a language issue, resulting from the time needed to translate subtitles for example, and I also assumed that it was not something limited to Japan. Now though, having spent time in other countries around eastern Asia, like Taiwan, Thailand and Malaysia, and seen how many Western movie releases there manage to keep pace with the US and elsewhere, I'm convinced that there must be other factors at work.<br />
<br />
Probably the major aspect that separates Japan from the above countries is the relative strength of its domestic movie industry. This is evident in the fact that 10 of the top 20 highest grossing movies in Japan last year were home-made (<a href="http://boxofficemojo.com/intl/japan/yearly/?yr=2011&p=.htm">http://boxofficemojo.com/intl/japan/yearly/?yr=2011&p=.htm</a>). The quantity and quality of Japanese movies has undoubtedly risen in recent years, contributing to a situation where much of the population is simply not particularly interested in watching a foreign release in the cinema unless it's part of a blockbusting franchise or features a major star. Of course, it's great that Japan has a thriving movie industry, and long may this continue. However, this should not be a sufficient reason for releases of so many quality Western movies being treated like some kind of afterthought. In Hong Kong, for example, where the domestic movie industry is even more prolific and dominant, you'd still be able to go and see a comparatively highbrow movie like, say, Oscar winner "The Artist" (which, incidentally, came out here this April, five months after the US) just as promptly as trashy popcorn fodder like "Transformers."<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbijpWP9V_LAavsInpAaBXVyYzHFpAru0cKaOl-wp8hyphenhyphenffpUig4f9XZTENH_U0biskVHbxDMl9iIXJi5_di8PsgiuojMeG-P5aOQKuGnKK9ToWlxtEVaWrouw6P6IvwU1TyIAM89vv/s1600/artist.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbijpWP9V_LAavsInpAaBXVyYzHFpAru0cKaOl-wp8hyphenhyphenffpUig4f9XZTENH_U0biskVHbxDMl9iIXJi5_di8PsgiuojMeG-P5aOQKuGnKK9ToWlxtEVaWrouw6P6IvwU1TyIAM89vv/s1600/artist.jpeg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>The Artist - <b>only</b> 5 months late arriving in Japan</i></div>
<br />
<br />
To further explain the situation, it's necessary to consider the nature of movie-going culture in Japan, specifically how movies are marketed to the general public. I get the sense that the idea of the movie as a marketing "event" is stronger here than anywhere else I've been. This is embodied by the opening press conferences, which for many star vehicles typically involve the lead actor(s) being interviewed by and posing for photographs with a random local celebrity. In order for this preferred scenario to happen though, the actor(s) need to actually make it out to Japan, which in a lot of cases isn't possible for a few months. Whereas elsewhere in Asia the movie would get released on time anyway, apparently the powers that be in Japan aren't prepared to put out such movies without some kind of attention-seeking fanfare. The mentality of those who distribute foreign movies here appears fundamentally conservative and petrified of taking risks - rather than release a movie to sink or swim on its own merits, it's better to wait a few months so you can stick a "US Number 1" or "Academy Award Winner" blurb on the poster to ensure larger audiences. While this may make sense from a marketing perspective, it's hard to escape the feeling that the Japanese movie-going public are losing out.<br />
<br />
I'd like to say there's a prospect of the situation changing sometime soon, but to be honest I can't see it happening. In the meantime, there's always illegal downloading to fall back on!<br />
<br />
<br />David Vickershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02012730243641142794noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-292723879095217009.post-85815595827700793072012-03-18T04:36:00.000-07:002012-03-18T15:24:17.519-07:00Surreal Star Power - Hollywood Actors in Japanese TV CommercialsI'm not much of a fan of Japanese TV, with the majority of its prime-time programs consisting of annoying "variety" shows populated by a rotating cast of so-called "talentos" (who mostly seem to lack any kind of talent). In between the programs, however, the TV commercials here are often pretty entertaining, not to mention downright weird, viewing. This is particularly true when it comes to the range of CMs featuring A-list Hollywood actors. While they usually wouldn't be seen dead plugging products on TV in their home countries, they seem more than willing to whore themselves to Japanese advertisers, presumably thinking that the rest of the world will remain largely ignorant of the fact. Well, I am here to try and clear up a bit of that ignorance, by naming and shaming a select few of these (previously) respected actors below. This is my personal selection of Japanese TV commercials featuring Hollywood celebrities - the more bizarre and embarrassing the better!<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Tommy Lee Jones - Boss Coffee</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/lWYtrF1z5mc?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div>
Over the past few years, gravelly-voiced veteran actor Tommy Lee Jones has been starring in a series of CMs for this popular brand of canned coffee. The premise is that he is actually an alien disguised as Mr Jones, who is visiting Earth to observe human behaviour. They're all genius, but my particular favourite is the one where he tries his hand at working in a host bar and gets carried away at the tanning salon.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Nicholas Cage - Sankyo Pachinko</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/nVMziCNFF1I?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div>
Admittedly, Nick Cage's shame threshold seems to be pretty high among Hollywood actors - witness the number of god-awful films he's starred in over the last few years. However, I'd never have thought he'd be prepared to embarrass himself like this, by adopting a cringeworthy "hick" accent and dancing around with a bunch of human pachinko balls. Incidentally, for those who aren't familiar with pachinko, it's a popular form of gambling in Japan, involving silver balls that randomly drop through a machine.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Brad Pitt - Softbank</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/g0u0oEUcasU?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div>
Brad Pitt is usually the epitome of cool, but he's totally dropped that image in this CM for cell-phone company Softbank, where he portrays a geeky tourist in France, kindly helping some locals get their car started. Amazingly, it was directed by Wes Anderson, who's responsible for some of my favourite films such as Rushmore and The Life Aquatic. Though this doesn't quite live up to those cinematic gems, it certainly exhibits some of Anderson's trademark quirkiness.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Kiefer Sutherland - Calorie Mate</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/0CNmWwE4Hbw?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div>
This expensive-looking commercial spoofing "24" reveals the secret behind all-action hero Jack Bauer's incredible fitness and energy levels - he eats healthy Japanese snack bar Calorie Mate!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Sean Connery - Suntory Whisky</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/amnpKeRivMI?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div>
Not a particularly weird or amusing effort, but a classic of the genre nonetheless, mainly for being an inspiration for the charming film "Lost in Translation," in which Bill Murray's character travels to Japan to do a very similar commercial for the same product.</div>David Vickershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02012730243641142794noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-292723879095217009.post-88022157785162970402012-02-05T23:47:00.000-08:002012-02-06T03:59:55.697-08:00Yakushima - Japan's Natural Treasure<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0mm;">
<span lang="EN-US">Away from the bustling crowds
and flashing neon of the big city, <st1:country-region w:st="on">Japan</st1:country-region>
is blessed with an abundance of stunning natural beauty, from the rugged
mountain landscapes of <st1:state w:st="on">Hokkaido</st1:state> in the north,
to the pristine tropical beaches of <st1:place w:st="on">Okinawa</st1:place> in
the south. Indeed, with images of <st1:country-region w:st="on">Japan</st1:country-region>
overseas generally dominated by the sprawling cityscape of <st1:city w:st="on">Tokyo</st1:city>,
it's easy to forget that over 70 percent of <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Japan</st1:place></st1:country-region> is still covered by forest.
Although much of this area lacks a certain scenic charm, with virtually
identical trees planted in regimented lines, and signs of civilisation, such as
roads and pylons, rarely too far away, there are still some corners of Japan
where the forests remain relatively untouched by man. Nowhere is this more the
case than the <st1:placetype w:st="on">island</st1:placetype> of <st1:placename w:st="on">Yakushima</st1:placename>, situated off the southern tip of <st1:place w:st="on">Kyushu</st1:place>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0mm; margin-right: 0mm; margin-top: 0mm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0mm; margin-right: 0mm; margin-top: 0mm;">
<span lang="EN-US">Encompassing an area of around 500 km squared, Yakushima is
by no means a large island, but what it lacks in breadth it makes up for in
height. The island juts dramatically out of the ocean, with most of the land
sloping up until reaching a few mountain peaks near the centre, of which the
tallest, Miyanoura-dake, at 1935m, is actually the highest point in the whole
of southern Japan. This extreme topography makes for a very changeable and
varied climate, meaning you could be shivering up in a snowy mountain a few
hours after lying on a balmy beach. In a way, it's like a hybrid of <st1:state w:st="on">Hokkaido</st1:state> and <st1:place w:st="on">Okinawa</st1:place>!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0mm; margin-right: 0mm; margin-top: 0mm;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB7qGlHQqlBsm_uBfmNPMB9fTT2Im8abT6RZ88cT3Jr6TnAK7ZXi7KH8z9JnWOEOVMT3tis8iO1sAKgaKjpqtWe-7moN7NjFsPy-3Tlkv7fL-7_MDBJWTAB6UjDqyzRj7HdaOpDnFH/s1600/P1010346.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB7qGlHQqlBsm_uBfmNPMB9fTT2Im8abT6RZ88cT3Jr6TnAK7ZXi7KH8z9JnWOEOVMT3tis8iO1sAKgaKjpqtWe-7moN7NjFsPy-3Tlkv7fL-7_MDBJWTAB6UjDqyzRj7HdaOpDnFH/s320/P1010346.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="separator" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0mm; margin-right: 0mm; margin-top: 0mm; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwvmZr9nuL1hmC32_dxnFsaWn3CAyk6CN_gPZoJOpoTrX-N-trkifmx4nBq2bFTpKarkshATfUF5h5lDwKHxyFFVDP_Zm5lVC7xtflXEtF-otvwxyBzYLleU-Tbs1PQKSj88tprAjY/s1600/P1010346.JPG" imageanchor="1"><span style="text-decoration: none;"></span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0mm; margin-right: 0mm; margin-top: 0mm;">
<span lang="EN-US">The other, more infamous, feature of Yakushima's climate is the
rain. It's by far the wettest place in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Japan</st1:place></st1:country-region>, and locals joke that it
rains eight days a week. While all this rain may not make life comfortable for
humans, it's ideal for trees and plants, which goes to explain the amazing
greenness of most of the island. Among the various species of trees on
Yakushima, many of which are indigenous, the yakusugi, a kind of ceder tree,
are the largest, oldest and thus the most renowned. The grandaddy of these,
Jomon Sugi, a popular hiking destination, is estimated to be at least 3000
years old.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0mm; margin-right: 0mm; margin-top: 0mm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0mm; margin-right: 0mm; margin-top: 0mm;">
<span lang="EN-US">I had longed to visit Yakushima ever since watching the Hayao
Miyazaki animation<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>Princess
Mononoke<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></i>over 10 years
ago, which captivated me with its gorgeous depiction of a land covered with
lush primeval forest. <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Miyazaki</st1:place></st1:city>
has been to Yakushima numerous times, and the island is often cited as the main
inspiration for<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>Princess
Mononoke</i>, with many of the film's locations based directly on actual scenic
spots on the island. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0mm; margin-right: 0mm; margin-top: 0mm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0mm; margin-right: 0mm; margin-top: 0mm;">
<span lang="EN-US">Last month, I finally got my chance to stand amongst the ancient
yakusugi trees myself, when I visited Yakushima on a three-day trip. Ideally, I
would have preferred a bit more time, but three days was still sufficient to
get an unforgettable taste of the natural wonders that this green gem has to
offer. Winter is not the most popular time for visitors to the island, as it
brings colder weather and shorter daylight hours for hiking, but in the end I
felt that we were fortunate to go when we did. The fewer number of fellow
hikers meant that even the more popular trails were relatively empty, enabling
us to feel even closer to nature, and while snowy and icy conditions on the
higher ground caused a few roads to temporarily close, venturing through the
eerily silent forest with feet crunching in the pristine snow felt great!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0mm; margin-right: 0mm; margin-top: 0mm;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCmaCt6q5Fjf3B2oN5Uvy9dOrz0jRRifTWxzvRh5KtNX0v1FKhVbrtY9xrKwhIK1Wjc6ulveHPJe0vqZbmqaw04CvHkmGNddlxOAPS0KTRJpq2OniUQNMgvhNpnvoNA3CwJCFU9gRK/s1600/P1010374.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCmaCt6q5Fjf3B2oN5Uvy9dOrz0jRRifTWxzvRh5KtNX0v1FKhVbrtY9xrKwhIK1Wjc6ulveHPJe0vqZbmqaw04CvHkmGNddlxOAPS0KTRJpq2OniUQNMgvhNpnvoNA3CwJCFU9gRK/s320/P1010374.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="separator" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0mm; margin-right: 0mm; margin-top: 0mm; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5AohvYeiquhrAZfceaobmRAfhcZEomZ3FdQbR69c-heUrpP14NG4j6Gbn62aKnBczpQPUjlFDO2UFgoTw-IIrnKcjOiYuOkryOLVtp_qNcQJZYSGG2b5IV1nVN_6PMtBan0b0RzA8/s1600/P1010374.JPG" imageanchor="1"><span style="text-decoration: none;"></span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0mm; margin-right: 0mm; margin-top: 0mm;">
<span lang="EN-US">As well as the abundant greenery, there`s no shortage of animal
life to be seen on Yakushima, in particular the indigenous Yaku deer and
macaque monkeys. Due to having long been at the top of the food chain, with no
natural predators, the deer are not at all wary of humans, and will often let
you walk right up to them without seeming to bat an eyelid. In around six hours
of hiking, I must have seen at least 20 deer at close quarters, and one even
sneaked right up behind me while I was having lunch to politely request a few
leftovers! The monkeys proved to be considerably more elusive, and when we did
finally encounter some it almost led to disaster. On winding our way in a hired
car along the narrow road which traverses the west coast of the island, we were
so busy admiring the stunning views out the window that we almost failed to
notice the group of monkeys sat in the middle of the road as we came
round a sharp bend. Once my heart had stopped pounding from the narrow escape,
I was tempted to get out of the car for a closer look, but decided against it
on the advice of the guidebook. Unlike the passive deer, Yaku monkeys can be
quite temperamental, and have been known to attack people.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0mm; margin-right: 0mm; margin-top: 0mm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0mm; margin-right: 0mm; margin-top: 0mm;">
<span lang="EN-US">While the west coast of Yakushima is mostly characterized by dense
forest and steeply rising cliffs, with the single-lane road the only evidence
of human habitation, the east coast is where the bulk of the island's
approximately 15,000 residents, not to mention the tourists, can be found.
There are also a few beaches, one of which receives special visitors for a few
weeks every summer in the form of female loggerhead turtles coming to lay their
eggs. Another of Yakushima's natural attractions, which can be experienced all
year round, are its<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>onsen<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></i>(<st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">hot springs</st1:place></st1:city>). There are even a few outdoor<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>onsen</i> right next to the
sea, although the basic facilities and cold air dissuaded me from
stripping off and going for a dip in the warm water. Instead, I settled for the
more comfortable option of the indoor<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>onsen</i><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>at the hotel we stayed at!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0mm; margin-right: 0mm; margin-top: 0mm;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikqimT6qYE_DYSWz_7alhnINKf7f0Z11Q0Un9bdN5rPQFw1Y2u8Y_k2IxLaiPvkAStxwisG8YIJUY3-ZW3KfhaDj7nmjodLiLCA4h_6WQeUEaJD0y1smL0lVjpIqiTD7VGpvhfVmIu/s1600/P1010360.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikqimT6qYE_DYSWz_7alhnINKf7f0Z11Q0Un9bdN5rPQFw1Y2u8Y_k2IxLaiPvkAStxwisG8YIJUY3-ZW3KfhaDj7nmjodLiLCA4h_6WQeUEaJD0y1smL0lVjpIqiTD7VGpvhfVmIu/s320/P1010360.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0mm; margin-right: 0mm; margin-top: 0mm;">
<span lang="EN-US">Yakushima is a truly enchanting place, and I'd recommend it to any
nature-lovers and intrepid hikers. I definitely plan to go back there again,
preferably in the spring or summer, so that I can experience the contrasting
charms of a different season, and be able to happily take a dip in the
outdoor<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>onsen</i>. Whenever I
do make it back though, I doubt I'll be as lucky with the weather as I was last
month - it only rained for a couple of hours in three whole days!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>David Vickershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02012730243641142794noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-292723879095217009.post-10822029357489125932011-12-03T21:23:00.001-08:002012-01-23T16:51:48.203-08:00Battle of the MascotsJapan has a well-earned reputation as Land of the Cute, and nothing underlines this more than the bewildering range of cute and cuddly mascots that can be encountered here. While I don't have the hard stats to back this up, I'm confident in claiming that Japan must have the highest mascot-per-capita ratio in the world (a source of national pride if ever there was one!).<br />
<br />
Apart from the run-of-the-mill sports team mascots, perhaps the most weird assortment of these waddling, grinning creatures can be found acting as promotional characters for towns, cities and regions across the country. These so-called Yuru-chara are a highly competitive bunch, constantly vying for public attention, and every year they get to test their popularity in the Yuru-chara Grand Prix. Though I do kind of wish this was a motor race, Mario Kart style, it's actually an online voting competition. The results of 2011's edition were just announced last month, and the proud winner was Kumamon, a rosy-cheeked black bear from Kumamoto prefecture in Kyushu ("kuma" means bear in Japanese, you see).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu4pKPz9x101AUFlFpS5f24qC2PLg3G2z4yeMXdLwYXUo6c-G0lcT_2N2jwi6fk6f3Yft2U4hVmbKvTtS7NlxJNDJUH2lmAwH-XLoDSjsGJc8v3E14DnCYmZdeXJR02TBAIrR9q5bK/s1600/kumamon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu4pKPz9x101AUFlFpS5f24qC2PLg3G2z4yeMXdLwYXUo6c-G0lcT_2N2jwi6fk6f3Yft2U4hVmbKvTtS7NlxJNDJUH2lmAwH-XLoDSjsGJc8v3E14DnCYmZdeXJR02TBAIrR9q5bK/s1600/kumamon.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Now, while it can't be denied that Kumamon is pretty damn cute, and I'm sure he's got an adorable personality, I've got to admit I was fairly underwhelmed by his selection. Surely, I thought, there must be plenty of better mascots out there, more worthy of fame and praise. So, after taking a look at the hundreds (!!) of other entrants to this year's competition, I have come up with my definitive top 5 list, presented in reverse order below. Enjoy!<br />
<br />
5. Meron-kuma<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWzKouBR2_oQ_Ct8jQs3J4CB1YR3kZJHhapWhkQ7ZuG6CRedv8g9a_SEnG7o0cCmUd-zotdJxWEaYUF-6H570yq4Rpi_A8g40SVHMVQ-Sz3yjLUE0WZ8ZdumF5IaXqGvucr7An-rQL/s1600/meron.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWzKouBR2_oQ_Ct8jQs3J4CB1YR3kZJHhapWhkQ7ZuG6CRedv8g9a_SEnG7o0cCmUd-zotdJxWEaYUF-6H570yq4Rpi_A8g40SVHMVQ-Sz3yjLUE0WZ8ZdumF5IaXqGvucr7An-rQL/s1600/meron.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
Now, THIS is my kind of bear! Just look at those fearsome teeth! And he's got a melon for a head! What's not to love? Meron-kuma hails from the city of Yubari in Hokkaido. He freely admits on his profile that he is not particularly cute, and this clearly cost him in the voting as he finished way down in 146th place. A travesty, in my opinion...<br />
<br />
4. Sanomaru<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7g0S-7o5e3uS1pHeyNCslknwQxtOKJ9FI4jCm4LmR8gHzkUYE_bHQbKN9phyphenhyphenTz-oghf0E6RR04kmmZH6w2PxkdCXVaqfGGAoZ2y1-w3INXsqBpfOobpvBOwaqbiKbPFQ46jrzmvEm/s1600/sanomaru.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7g0S-7o5e3uS1pHeyNCslknwQxtOKJ9FI4jCm4LmR8gHzkUYE_bHQbKN9phyphenhyphenTz-oghf0E6RR04kmmZH6w2PxkdCXVaqfGGAoZ2y1-w3INXsqBpfOobpvBOwaqbiKbPFQ46jrzmvEm/s1600/sanomaru.jpg" /></a></div>
Sanomaru, from Sano city in Tochigi prefecture, sports the beatific smile and huge eyes common to most mascots. Where he really scores points for me, though, is the addition of an upturned bowl of ramen on his head, justified by the fact that Sano has its own popular version of the slurp-tastic Japanese noodle dish. And, seeing as Sanomaru is a self-declared Samurai warrior, he needs a few weapons, which in this case are swords made from sweet potatoes. Awesome!<br />
<br />
3. Take-no-michi Yuzuru<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCooHHf1hzKnFHjLVIAUYgDjvNsGreedEGeOcu2vwBx527GR_UCH846l_y3ivFBwF3SunEwwuvBlXEGx9_z4C595i6PHaMWbSXlLqAJrdea1YC0JcvpFbypC5Qgif9iuh8durGsny0/s1600/takenomichi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCooHHf1hzKnFHjLVIAUYgDjvNsGreedEGeOcu2vwBx527GR_UCH846l_y3ivFBwF3SunEwwuvBlXEGx9_z4C595i6PHaMWbSXlLqAJrdea1YC0JcvpFbypC5Qgif9iuh8durGsny0/s1600/takenomichi.jpg" /></a></div>
I'm a sucker for Samurai, which is partly why this guy made it on to my list. But mainly I just love his massive eyebrows! And his mischievous smile also gives him extra character. In a recurring fruit-as-head theme, Yuzuru's head is a yuzu (Japanese persimmon). Incidentally, Yuzuru is from Mino city near Osaka, which is, presumably, "famous" for its persimmons.<br />
<br />
2. Shoubu-pan Oni-ichi (Panky, for short)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcmzp8J8R254_4jVxzATALN9p_wA9y_tW4SYl0NsS0F4W7U_eV_Be0kUfhesRpxJYuAPEyoRgrGFqaXLnpoDCNZNn97F1qOKF6XHPvfFGD6F918ZISIVDci-q5VAlLqhxDTEqlclYR/s1600/shoubupan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcmzp8J8R254_4jVxzATALN9p_wA9y_tW4SYl0NsS0F4W7U_eV_Be0kUfhesRpxJYuAPEyoRgrGFqaXLnpoDCNZNn97F1qOKF6XHPvfFGD6F918ZISIVDci-q5VAlLqhxDTEqlclYR/s1600/shoubupan.jpg" /></a></div>
This guy also has extremely impressive eyebrows, topped off by...some kind of flower? He's from Saitama, but I'm not exactly sure what the connection with his headgear or tiger-skin pants are with that area... But who cares when you look this cool?! Judging from the "Oni" part of his rather long-winded name, Panky is a devil, though his cuteness factor way outstrips his fear factor, especially with that missing tooth. In his promotional statement, he professes to be on a mission to bring love and victory to the people of Saitama, mainly with the help of his "Shobu (fighting) pants." What a dude!<br />
<br />
1. Takamaru-kun<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXM3GNp3u63VPDr-poYB0r5EBPurAUGjCG1RTI6Ex5L7p0DvSzzLYktjENCYSxLY533DrqmYi_T4mRsyYe6BpCqrj7DMKi-LYHSLcGOFGSk3TGUBm6uxjb_YxGuaYHLvPVB2yQR25W/s1600/takamaru2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXM3GNp3u63VPDr-poYB0r5EBPurAUGjCG1RTI6Ex5L7p0DvSzzLYktjENCYSxLY533DrqmYi_T4mRsyYe6BpCqrj7DMKi-LYHSLcGOFGSk3TGUBm6uxjb_YxGuaYHLvPVB2yQR25W/s1600/takamaru2.jpg" /></a></div>
Takamaru-kun is the mascot of Hirosagi Castle, up in northern Aomori prefecture. In case you hadn't noticed, that's the castle perching on top of his head. With his cute yet slightly intimidating appearance, cool weapon (samurai sword) and, of course, spectacular headgear, this majestic hawk ticks all of the essential mascot boxes for me. He even makes me want to go all the way up to freezing Aomori to check out the castle, which surely means he's doing his job right. So take a bow Takamaru-kun, my personal mascot champion. Just make sure your castle-helmet doesn't fall off!David Vickershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02012730243641142794noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-292723879095217009.post-89094399039265443242011-10-31T05:23:00.000-07:002011-11-12T23:37:25.168-08:00Vagabond - Miyamoto Musashi Missing in ActionThough I occasionally enjoy reading manga, I've never been a particularly big fan of any one title - with one exception. "Vagabond," by the acclaimed manga artist/author Takehiko Inoue (best known for the high school basketball series "Slam Dunk") enthralled me from the time I picked up the first volume over 10 years ago.<br />
<br />
It tells the story of Miyamoto Musashi, arguably the greatest warrior Japan has ever seen. Musashi was born in the late sixteenth century, and devoted the best part of his life to the art of sword fighting, engaging in duels and defeating all-comers throughout much of central and western Japan. He is perhaps the archetypal example of a <i>ronin</i>, a breed of wandering, masterless<i> samurai</i>, and the inspiration for the title of this blog. There was much more to Musashi than just his peerless fighting skills, however. In the last few years of his life, he laid down his sword, retreating to live as a virtual hermit in a cave outside Kumamoto on the southern island of Kyushu. Here, he wrote down his philosophy on sword fighting and military strategy in a text called <i>Go Rin No Sho </i>("The Book of Five Rings"). In the centuries since, this passionate and powerful work lost little of its influence, even becoming a kind of de facto handbook for Japanese business leaders in Japan's post-war period of rapid economic growth.<br />
<br />
As is usually the case with heroic figures, Miyamoto Musashi's life has been celebrated numerous times on the page and the big screen, with the historical facts increasingly taking a back seat to romanticised fictional accounts. There have been dozens of films made about him in Japan, perhaps the most famous of which, "Samurai I," starring the legendary actor Toshiro Mifune, picked up an Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film back in 1955. In print, the biggest account of his life, quite literally, is the epic novel "Musashi," by Eiji Yoshikawa, which was first published in the 1930s and eventually translated into English in the 1980s. The novel follows Musashi from his time as a wild and undisciplined young man named Takezo, who is outcast by his village, and details his subsequent growth into the unmatched warrior of legend, climaxing with a dramatic duel against another great swordsman of the day, Sasaki Kojiro. This is the work that Inoue chose to follow when he undertook his equally epic manga serialization, "Vagabond."<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhkCNUnHKRhx4-txkYfzKpDeR2ZpTzdcAvO0uaKhPPcDC5gGzXLAqJzcrYV69EhpXsF_zpiMMoMQzyyS5WKA9eC8C-_Yrh_uAsNHLzryRBGrmOVBet_mPSODh5pqqV65l1Dg7xCCdf/s1600/vagabond.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhkCNUnHKRhx4-txkYfzKpDeR2ZpTzdcAvO0uaKhPPcDC5gGzXLAqJzcrYV69EhpXsF_zpiMMoMQzyyS5WKA9eC8C-_Yrh_uAsNHLzryRBGrmOVBet_mPSODh5pqqV65l1Dg7xCCdf/s320/vagabond.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Starting in 1998, "Vagabond" was serialized in the "Weekly Morning" manga magazine, with the chapters being collected and published separately in book form at the rate of around four volumes a year. While there are currently 33 volumes in the series, this has unfortunately been the case for over a year now, as fans of "Vagabond" have been suffering an increasingly frustrating wait for the next volume to be released. It seems that Inoue has been suffering himself, from ill health, on top of a serious case of writer's block. Considering that the main source for his story already exists in the form of Yoshikawa's novel, it's hard to see how Inoue could be experiencing such difficulties in continuing "Vagabond." However, things are not quite so simple, as although "Vagabond" follows the basic story arc of "Musashi," it is far from a direct interpretation. For example, while Musashi's rival Sasaki Kojiro is a cunning, arrogant and outspoken character in the novel, Inoue chose to portray him as a deaf-mute in his manga version. Changes such as this would certainly present a challenge to the author, which is presumably why Inoue chose to make them. I just hope he's not regretting the adventurous path he's taken too much, and that he finds some way to continue the story of "Vagabond" soon, as it would be a criminal shame for such a great series to be left unfinished.<br />
<br />
In my opinion, "Vagabond" is much more than just an exciting, action-packed adventure story. Like Musashi's own "Book of Five Rings" it also focuses on the moral issues involved in living life as a warrior, and shows how killing in battle can cause a man to feel as if he is losing his own humanity. Perhaps the most appealing part of "Vagabond" for me however, is the exceptional quality of Inoue's art. "Art" is really the only way to describe such detailed and lovingly realized images. As if to emphasize the artistic nature of this work, a few years ago Inoue took a selection of his best original illustrations and paintings from "Vagabond" on a nationwide tour around various art galleries in Japan. These are also collected in a gorgeous artbook entitled "Water."<br />
<br />
Although there is a significant lack of recent news regarding the continuation of "Vagabond," I remain quietly confident that Inoue will get his act together sooner rather than later. Once he does, I'm sure it will be worth the wait!David Vickershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02012730243641142794noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-292723879095217009.post-13844891892945048382011-10-06T18:40:00.000-07:002011-10-06T18:42:13.627-07:00"From up on Poppy Hill" (Kokuriko-zaka kara) - Review<br />
Studio Ghibli is, in my opinion, the Japanese equivalent of Pixar, in that any film it releases comes with a virtually guaranteed seal of quality. The latest feature-length animation from the studio, "From up on Poppy Hill," came out here in Japan this July, and I'm pleased to report that it maintains the high Ghibli standard.<br />
<br />
This is the studio that recently brought us such family-friendly viewing delights as "Ponyo" (a kind of Japanese "Little Mermaid") and "Arietty" (a retelling of the classic children's story "The Borrowers"). However, I wouldn't recommended bringing your kids along to "From up on Poppy Hill," as it's squarely aimed at a more mature audience. Now, this doesn't mean it's the kind of Anime that features scenes of blood-splattered violence or pneumatically-endowed naked bimbos (heaven forbid Ghibli ever goes down that route!). Rather, it's a deeply nostalgic coming-of-age tale that, while brimming with heart-warming charm, lacks the fantastical or cutesy element to keep the average kid entertained.<br />
<br />
This is the second effort from director Goro Miyazaki, son of Hayao, the beloved founder of Ghibli. His directorial debut, "Tales from Earthsea" received a mixed critical reception, but so far "...Poppy Hill" has fared much better with Japanese critics and audiences, and deservedly so in my opinion, as overall it's a superior film.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU1g9GVFSNyltuczOjcVIDRHgZsXNfG1yVAuebQG1UIqNiDI0746hPTbcoEtnsJ5IC_xNOu5HGpW3A5Uf4QCj-6VkOWcWa8m5T2A0n3Q93NqFmHcdqUbnBBpA22OzIydW1R6EhUBGS6yhZ/s1600/kokurikozakakara.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU1g9GVFSNyltuczOjcVIDRHgZsXNfG1yVAuebQG1UIqNiDI0746hPTbcoEtnsJ5IC_xNOu5HGpW3A5Uf4QCj-6VkOWcWa8m5T2A0n3Q93NqFmHcdqUbnBBpA22OzIydW1R6EhUBGS6yhZ/s320/kokurikozakakara.jpg" width="226" /></a></div>
Set in 1963, the Poppy Hill of the title is a picturesque part of Yokohama which overlooks the city's harbour. It's here that the 16 year-old heroine of the story, Umi, lives, in the grand family home Kokuriko Manor, from whose garden she diligently raises a flag each morning, bearing a message of "safe voyage" for passing ships. Umi feels a particular affinity with the sailors, as her own father died at sea in the Korean War.<br />
<br />
The bulk of the story takes place in Umi's high school, which, even considering the 1960s setting, struck me as being a quaintly old-fashioned institution. The embodiment of this is the school's Culture Society, rather pretentiously named the "Quartier Latin," which is housed in a rickety old building that has certainly seen better days. With the Olympic Games set to be held in Tokyo the following year, the school authorities are keen to embrace the ideals of a new, modern Japan, and this apparently entails knocking down the Quartier Latin headquarters and replacing it with a shiny new structure. Many of the students are firmly against this drive for change, however, and chief among them is the earnest and eloquent Shun, a boy in the year above Umi. While campaigning together to try and save the old building, Umi and Shun feel themselves growing closer together, but, as they soon realize, young love rarely runs a smooth course...<br />
<br />
There may not be many thrills and spills during the 90-minutes running time, but that didn't matter one bit to me. I came out of the cinema feeling all warm and fuzzy inside, which is not something that's happened to me for quite a while. The main cause of this was not so much the story, which was pleasant enough, but the whole look and feel of the film. This is almost entirely due to the sumptuous quality of the hand-drawn animation, with the settings of 1960s Yokohama and Tokyo recreated in such loving detail that I felt I was really back there myself. Even though I'm not Japanese, and have relatively little knowledge of the Japan of that era, I was left with a palpable sense of nostalgia, wishing that I could have grown up in Yokohama 50 years ago. The wonderfully atmospheric soundtrack also deserves a mention, a mixture of original instrumentals and Japanese '60s pop numbers contributing to the nostalgic feel.<br />
<br />
So while, unlike many other Ghibli productions, "From up on Poppy Hill" doesn't feature any magic as such, it is nevertheless a magical film in itself, full of spellbinding images in the true Ghibli tradition that should stay with the viewer long after the credits have rolled.David Vickershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02012730243641142794noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-292723879095217009.post-15264013779905175722011-10-01T21:32:00.000-07:002011-10-01T21:32:44.434-07:00"1Q84" by Haruki Murakami - Review<br />
The king of modern Japanese literature, Haruki Murakami, is back at last! The millions of Murakami fans outside Japan have been enduring a long wait for his latest magnum-opus "1Q84," which is released in English this October. Luckily, I have been able to jump the queue, thanks to my Japanese knowledge, as the original version of the novel has actually been out here in Japan for over 2 years, breaking all kinds of sales records in the meantime.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij2IGkh90AcwSXfWv24oNH4JLCW2R9bffvhQxIhGZsGL7BURNpRrgGpjYbkUYgCJ7zCkgZJeRCTXgFyPSMhdhrg6VEnSttofxettMYdyi5fyefbBhAYLBuVNiRLLhB6GdFIV2T7Pmiaqmu/s1600/haruki-murakami-s-1q84-cover-revealed-by-chip-kidd-24800444.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij2IGkh90AcwSXfWv24oNH4JLCW2R9bffvhQxIhGZsGL7BURNpRrgGpjYbkUYgCJ7zCkgZJeRCTXgFyPSMhdhrg6VEnSttofxettMYdyi5fyefbBhAYLBuVNiRLLhB6GdFIV2T7Pmiaqmu/s320/haruki-murakami-s-1q84-cover-revealed-by-chip-kidd-24800444.jpg" width="232" /></a></div>
<br />
The title of "1Q84" is a kind of Japanese pun, as "9" in Japanese is pronounced the same as "Q." The reason for this quirky substitution becomes apparent fairly early on in the story, which is set in 1984 and divided up between two characters, living in two parallel realities. Tengo resides in our familiar reality, which is appropriate as he's a fairly typical Murakami protagonist - a thoughtful loner with an unremarkable life, in this case working as a cram school teacher while doing a bit of editing on the side. Aomame, on the other hand, who crosses into the alternative "Q" reality near the start of her narrative (though she doesn't realize it at first) is a more mysterious character with a far from normal job. She is also, as a female main character, something of a novelty for a Murakami novel, although in truth, in terms of personality she is more masculine than the mild-mannered Tengo.<br />
<br />
These two characters, now living in separate worlds, actually share a deep emotional connection originating from a childhood encounter when they were classmates in elementary school. As the story flicks back and forth between Tengo and Aomame, who both find themselves caught up in the affairs of a decidedly shady religious cult with supernatural undertones, we get the sense that they are destined to meet again, if only they could manage to unite their two realities. Indeed, while they are oblivious to the fact, these two lost and lonely souls may well hold the key to the destiny of both worlds in their hands.<br />
<br />
On one level "1Q84" is a love story, in the same vein as Murakami's most famous novel "Norwegian Wood" but it also follows in the surreal traditions of his more recent works "The Wind-up Bird Chronicle" and "Kafka on the Shore." Murakami enjoys placing his characters in bizarre situations, where they seem just as puzzled as the reader as to what on earth is going on. Reading a Murakami novel can be a somewhat challenging experience, as we are often left wondering what deeper meaning the fantastical elements of the story may have, without being given a clear answer. This invitation to analyse events, where reality and fantasy seem to blur into one another, is what most attracts me to Murakami's writing, however, and "1Q84" certainly doesn't disappoint in this regard. It also features some truly memorable, and creepy, scenes, involving the so-called "Little People" who are not as cute as they sound. And there is one particular scene involving an NHK (Japanese equivalent of BBC) license fee collector which sent shivers down my spine.<br />
<br />
In the final analysis, however, while I found "1Q84" a frequently entertaining and thought-provoking read, I have to say that it does not quite measure up to the weird and wonderful standards set in "Wind-up Bird" and "Kafka." Firstly, after a captivating opening few chapters, the story settles down to a pace which, for me, was too slow. We spend a lot of time with the two main characters as they dwell on their memories and contemplate their circumstances, without their narratives making much significant progress. The novel was released in three parts here in Japan, the third part of which came out a whole year after the first two. The third part, in which a third main character is introduced, is, in my opinion, the weakest one. Seeing as it will be released in one volume in English, I'm hoping that the translation will cut at least a little bit of unnecessary filler from the original to make the story more streamlined. Incidentally, I was slightly anxious to hear that the English version has been split between two translators, with Jay Rubin handling parts one and two, and Philip Gabriel taking over for part three. While both translators have previously done amazing jobs, on "Wind-up Bird" and "Kafka" respectively, I'm not sure it's such a great idea splitting translation duties between them in one novel, as a certain amount of consistency in tone is likely to be sacrificed. Hopefully it won't be too noticeable, though.<br />
<br />
In any case, I will certainly be getting hold of a copy of the English translation as soon as it comes out, as "1Q84" is, like most of Murakami's work, a multi-layered and complex story that demands repeated readings. It may not be my favourite of his efforts, but it is still a fascinating story, packed with touching, suspenseful, bizarre and humorous scenes, which will stay with you long after it's been put down.<br />
David Vickershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02012730243641142794noreply@blogger.com0