Plain Talk
TOKYO NOTICE BOARD March 26. 2021Pet Protocols in Japan by Gene Pelc
Before coming to Japan, I was an active member of the American Human Society and various other animal welfare and rescue groups. Arriving in Tokyo, I noticed a fundamental difference between East and West in regards to the keeping of pets, for example dogs kept outside the house on short leashes for extended periods of time, sometimes for life.
Over time, such things have improved, but there’s still a terrible stray animal problem.Take a look at the large number of dogs and cats euthanized by the government. The stray cat problem is appalling. All over Japan, cats
are suffering, starving, killed by cars and dying slow deaths due to aids and other diseases.
I strongly believe there is not an animal problem…. There is a human problem!
For years I’ve watched ideas, good and bad, take root in Japan.The time is overdue for a basic change in human/
animal relationship.
For example, never buy pets! Adopt them, rescue them, do not patronize pet stores that deal with breeders.
Conditions at breeders' facilities are often horrific and overcrowded. They euthanize or otherwise get rid of old animals that can no longer reproduce or be sold. They only deal in small young animals,taking babies away from mothers too early, disposing of them as they age, and or get sick.
Instead of pet shops, check out shelters and rescue centers that have many types of cats and dogs.They even have purebreds (such as poodles) that some people find to be too expensive or problematic to keep, so they give them up.
After really thinking it through, should you decide to get a pet, consider the following; these are living, breathing creatures, that get sick and need exercise, care, grooming, etc. Are you willing and able to take care of them for a lifetime? Vets are expensive. Are they good with children? Will you need to move in the foreseeable future? Many places do not allow pets.There are many things to consider carefully before you make a longterm commitment.
来日する前、アメリカの愛護協会や他にもあるさまざまな動物保護団体の熱心なメンバーだった。東京にやってきて、僕はペットに対する西洋と東洋の基本的違いに気づかされた。例えば、家の外で長時間、あるいは一生涯、犬が短いリードにつながれた状態でいるといったことだ。
時間と共に、そうした点は改善されてきているが、未だに野生動物のかわいそうな状況は続いている。国によって殺処分させられる野良犬や野良猫がどれ程いるのか考えてみるといい。野良猫の場合は恐ろしいくらい悲惨だ。日本全国にはストレスをかかえお腹をすかせた猫がたくさんいて、車にひかれたり、エイズや他の病気にかかり衰弱して死んでいく。
これは動物の問題でなく、人間の問題であると僕は強く信じる。
長年にわたり、僕は、良いにしろ、悪いにしろ日本に根ざす考え方を見守ってきた。今や、人間と野生動物の関係において、基本的改革の機が熟した。
例をあげると、ペットは買うものではない！ どこかの家庭で生まれたり飼えなくなった動物を引き取ったり、保護動物を飼おう。ブリーダーから仕入れるペットショップを儲けさせてはいけない。ブリーダーの施設は、しばしばぞっとするような環境で過密状態にあり、子供を産まなくなったり、売るには年を取り過ぎた動物は殺処分される。早い時期に母親から離された幼いよちよちした動物のみを売り買いする。成長したり、病気になった動物は処分される。
ペットショップではなく、シェルターや保護施設に出かけよう。そこにはさまざまな種類の犬や猫がいる。プードルといった純血種もいたりする。というのも飼うのにお金がかかったり、世話をするのが重荷になった人が預けるからだ。
よくよく考えて、ペットを飼おうと決めたなら、以下の事を検討してみて。動物は命があり呼吸をする生き物だ。だから病気になったりもするし、運動、食事の世話や毛の手入れも必要だ。動物が生きている間、君はきちんとすべての面で世話ができるだろうか？動物病院にかかる場合は、その費用もかかる。子供達にかみつく犬種もいる。そのうちに引越さなくてはならなくなるかもしれない。ペットお断りの場所は多い。長期的に責任を全うするためには慎重に考えるべき点はたくさんある。
Plain Talk
TOKYO NOTICE BOARD TNB Throwback: MARCH 24. 2017April 8th is Hachiko Day by Rhian Yoshikawa
“MEET YOU in front of Hachiko!” How many times have you used that phrase? Ask anyone who’s lived in Japan to name the most popular spot for meeting friends and 9 times out of 10 they’ll come up with “Hachiko”, the bronze statue of a faithful hound situated in front of Shibuya Station.
The story of Hachiko and how he waited faithfully for his deceased master (Professor Hidesaburo Ueno of Tokyo University) outside Shibuya Station every day for nine years until his own death is well documented, but did you know that a memorial ceremony is held for him every year on April 8th?
The practice started the following year after Hachi’s death in 1935. At the 80th anniversary in 2015 the Mayor of Shibuya Ward and Professor Ueno’s grandson were in attendance. Each year the statue is blessed by a priest and purified with sake and sacred evergreen sakaki leaves with a flower wreath placed around Hachi’s neck. A similar ceremony is held on the same day in front of Odate Station in Akita Prefecture, Hachi’s birthplace.
Some interesting facts about Hachiko:
- His original name was Hachi. Hachi meaning "eight" and ko is an honorific term meaning “affection” and was bestowed upon him by the people around Shibuya Station.
- At first, Hachi was treated as a nuisance by the station staff. His loyalty to the Professor was recognized after an article written about him by Saito Hirokichi, founder of the Nihon Ken Hozonkai (Society for the Preservation of the Japanese Dog, aka Nippo) appeared in th Tokyo Asahi Newspaper in 1932.
- Hachi did not eat for three days following the death of his master.
- His left ear was bitten by a dog and since then it has been hanging from his head.
- The statue was melted down for ammunitions during the Pacific War and a new statue, created by the son of the original artist, was installed in 1948.
- Hachi died on March 8th but Hachiko Day was set a month later due to warmer weather and the higher possibility of cherry blossoms being in full bloom.
- Hachi has been stuffed and is on display at the National Museum of Nature and Science in Ueno.
- His grave is situated next to his master’s in Aoyama Graveyard, Minato Ward.
- In 2015 a statue was unveiled within the grounds of Tokyo University which depicts Hachi being reunited with the Professor.
「ハチ公前で待ってるネ！」この言葉を君はどれくらい口にしただろうか？日本に住む人に、一番人気の待ち合わせ場所をたずねれば、１０回のうち９回の割合で「ハチ公」、渋谷駅前のブロンズ製の忠犬像をあげる。
主人であった東京大学の上野英三郎博士が亡くなった後、死ぬまでのほぼ９年間、毎日渋谷駅に通い、主人の帰りを待ち続けたというハチ公の美談は、さまざまに書籍化されている。さて、毎年４月８日に慰霊祭が行われている事は知っているだろうか？
慰霊祭は１９３５年のハチの死んだ翌年から行われている。２０１５年の８０回めの慰霊祭には、渋谷区町や上野教授の孫が参列した。毎年、ハチ公像にお神酒や榊が供えられ、神事が行われる。そして首には花輪がかけられる。ハチの生誕地である秋田県の大館駅前でも同様の慰霊祭が行われる。
ハチ公まめ知識：
* 名前は『ハチ』。「公」は「愛情を込めて用いる接尾語」で渋谷駅の人々から親しみをこめて呼ばれた。
* 最初、ハチは駅で働く人たちにとってやっかい者だった。ハチの教授への忠犬ぶりが評判になるのは、１９３２年に日本犬保存会初代会長・斎藤弘吉が東京朝日新聞にハチのことを投稿してからである。
* ハチは主人の死後３日間食事をとらなかった。
* ハチの左耳は、野犬に咬みつかれ、垂れてしまった。
* 戦時中の金属供出によって失われたハチ公像は、終戦後の１９４８年、初代ハチ公像の制作者の息子によって建立された。
* ハチの命日は３月８日だが、慰霊祭は桜の時期に合わせて毎年４月８日に行われている。
* ハチの剥製は、上野の国立科学博物館で展示されている。
* ハチは青山霊園に葬られた主人の墓の隣で眠る。
* ２０１５年に東京大学キャンパス内にて、ハチ公と上野博士像の除幕式が行われた。
Unfinished business
TOKYO NOTICE BOARD MAY 17. 2019Farewell to a Japan Jazz Icon by David Gregory
The messages from all over Japan read aloud during the service helped us realize how widely Koyama-san touched lives and how many like us were feeling something newly missing from our worlds. But, although wonderful and sometimes saddening us, they did not trigger crying. That happened next.
Those first few notes of the "'Round About Midnight" Miles Davis version, the cut Koyama-san always used to open Jazz Tonight, performed by a live piano and trumpet duo up front near the coffin, did it: Instant recognition, recollections, sighs around the room, eyes closed, arms crossed, heads dropped back or down, and tears, at least for me. How many times had we heard, after Miles breathed his somber opening, Koyama-san's low, raspy voice welcoming us into the studio with, "Minna-san, gokigen ikaga desho-ka everybody, how are you feeling?"?and never thought that someday we would hear him ask about us no more?
Koyama-san's widow, whom, like him, had never known me, stood alone at the coffin head and bowed in silence to everyone in turn after they placed flowers around his body as the duo continued with another slow number, the trumpet sounding so strong and crisp and unusual in a memorial service hall. After we placed our flowers, she responded to my hand on her shoulder, a touch just meant to console her, by immediately turning and reaching for me?a total stranger?burying her head in my chest, and breaking down. She needed that hug that everybody sometimes needs. She let go after her respite when she was ready to face the coffin and everyone else again, and returned to her position. Going to Kashiwa in a snowstorm was worth it just for those few moments when I could do something for her.
So our Kashiwa day was both sad and good. But, why did I even want to go a funeral for a man whom I only knew by voice, and who, although linked to jazz, was not even a musician?
Koyama-san and his Jazz Tonight program I listened to since at least the early 2000s. For more than sixteen years, while my life in Japan has been filled with huge uncertainties, he has been here Saturday nights on the radio, reliable, keeping me connected to the world's music and opening my ears to music from Japan I would not know without him. Listening to him always made me feel good, no matter what had happened in my life during the week or what was coming up in the weeks ahead. Koyama-san and Jazz Tonight were my respite. How well can I replace that comfort?
Koyama-san, thank you for helping this foreigner feel good in Japan. Please rest well in jazz heaven.
NHK Radio, thank you for giving Koyama-san a way to connect with us. Please encourage other DJs to continue doing what he did so well.
To Koyama-san's surviving family members: Please care well for yourselves now, and thank you for supporting and sharing Kiyoshi with us.
The Smallest Box by David Gregory
She came over to my table and asked if I remembered her.
“That’s my boyfriend over there.”
Their table hugged a pillar blocking the sunny Tokyo Bay view enjoyed by the other customers that afternoon in Chiba’s AquaRink ice skating facility café.
“Maybe we will marry next year.”
On my way out, I stopped to congratulate the potential groom to be. What I later heard happened with Hiromi and Hiroshi that night at another place also close to the bay sounded so too good to be true that I visited that place to confirm it really happened. It did.
Hiroshi had reserved for the course menu that night at OCEAN TABLE, next to Chiba Port, on the second floor, where tables sat by the huge windows facing Chiba Port Tower and Tokyo Bay. No view-blocking pillars there. And they had a wait, even with their reservation, because it was Christmas Eve, which in Japan matters much more than the following day; the Eve is the year’s couples’ night out, and single women without dates that night can feel their whole year was wasted.
Hiroshi had changed into a suit after skating, and had urged Hiromi, against her protests about overdressing, into a plaid one-piece, raising expectations. They had never come to a place this nice, one requiring reservations. Saizeriya was more their speed: fast faux-Italian, cheap, and everywhere.
The unexpected wait made Hiroshi antsy. He relaxed and all was perfect after they were seated.
They talked. They ate the Christmas Dinner courses. They ignored the soft Christmas background music. They admired the gleaming, golden Christmas Tree rising from the first-floor buffet area through the open center space across from their table. They could see outside the sparkling flashes and half the tree in Port Tower’s Christmas Illumination, and beyond, the lights from the ships on and facilities around Tokyo Bay, appearing almost twinkling. Perfect—but not for Hiromi.
She went to the toilet. Still he had not asked. The day was done. The reservation system only allowed them two hours there. They had been together all day. He had remembered her birthday-just by coincidence, also that day-with a necklace at AquaRink. Nice, but was that all? He had pestered her since early December about what Christmas present she wanted until she had finally exploded with, “Nothing! Don’t you know I just want a proposal?!” And had added she wanted it to be a surprise. Here he had the perfect chance, and he was wasting it.
She could try enjoying what was left of the evening. Dessert was next. At least here was better than Saizeriya….She was still stuck when she returned to the table, and had no chance to do or say anything, anyway. It was his toilet turn.
Their desserts came. Hiromi sat and waited and pondered the future. Outside, the tower stood alone against the dark sky and Tokyo Bay’s inky darkness.
Their desserts waited. Maybe his tooth was bothering him again. Maybe he was just tolerating it to make the night go well. Maybe for her. Maybe she should go to check on him. Wait-maybe she just heard his voice across the room.
No, only Santa Claus, posing for photographs with diners at the far table. He then started circling the room, giving a small present from his big sack at each table. She could check after he was done.
Hiroshi still had not returned to his seat when Santa reached their table. He handed Hiromi a big, red stocking, by far the room’s largest gift, accompanied by a squeaky, “Atari! You’re a lucky one!” Yeah. She set it aside and Santa moved on. What was he still doing in the toilet?
Santa finished his round, returned to Hiromi, and pointed at her unopened stocking with squeaky, “Un! Un!” grunts. The other diners had opened their presents. She forced a smile and said she was waiting for her boyfriend to return. “Un! Un!”
When Hiromi still resisted, Santa took the stocking in his white-gloved hands and opened it himself. Out first came a big, pink box, heart shaped. He opened that and pulled out another heart-shaped box, and then, from inside that, another heart-shaped box. Another smaller, heart-shaped box followed. He removed from that an even smaller heart-shaped box, and thrust it to Hiromi with one more squeaky, “Un!”
Still gone. Well, he’d miss it. Hiromi obeyed Santa this time and opened it, the smallest box in the room …and her mind and face went blank.
After that frozen moment passed, Hiromi looked at Santa. The second shock hit, and more followed. Santa Claus had ripped off his gloves, furry hat, sunglasses, and huge, flowing beard. He took the box from her?she was still speechless?dropped onto one knee, held the open box out and up to her in both stretching hands, and said in a voice loud enough for everyone in the room to hear, “Hiromi-san, boku-to kekkon shite kudasai! Hiromi, please marry me!”
Outside, to anybody looking, Port Tower’s Christmas Illumination still flashed, and the lights on and around Tokyo Bay still appeared almost twinkling. Inside OCEAN TABLE, on the second floor, everything was happening so fast that Hiromi just did not know which was more difficult to believe: Hiroshi and the ring he first tried slipping onto the finger on her right hand, the one he had taken in his before she held out her left hand, or the following PAN! and PAN! PAN! PAN! PAN! PAN! and PAN! PAN! and PAN! explosions ripping and ribbons shooting around the room as diners at the floor’s other tables popped the party crackers they had found with the notes in their presents from Santa Claus.
Copyright © 2018 David L. Gregory All rights reserved.
I Did It! by David Gregory
She had been here before. But, those were tour-guided or hand-held visits. After living most of her life in white-bread suburban USA, driving everywhere, shopping in giant malls and supermarkets, and needing only one currency and one language, my mother ventured out on her own, within and beyond Chiba, during one trip to Japan. From her notes, here are Dorothy's...
ADVENTURES IN JAPAN
Grocery Shopping in Neighborhood―Walk five blocks...buy only one bag...walk five blocks back. Survived it!
Shopping in City Center―Walk six blocks to bus stop. Ride bus fifteen minutes. Arrive at stores. Walk around. Look. Decide: cookies.
Buying: “Ikura desu-ka how much?” Hmm. “Kakimasu kudasai write please.”
Paying options: give large bill, let clerk figure change, or open change purse, let clerk take out correct amount. Decide to just give some cash.
Clerk shakes her head (“NO! MORE!”), then counts out correct amount needed from register and shows me. I mimic her action from my change purse. Smiles! Deep bows with many, “Arigato gozaimasu thank you very much!”-es.
(My error: thought there was decimal point in Yen price....)
Open cookies, expecting pirouettes with chocolate centers. Instead, peanut butter waffle rolls, no chocolate. No wonder, now I see peanut sketch on package. “Shoganai can’t be changed,” I did it to myself. It could have been worse!
~~~
Travelling to Visit Friend’s Family on Other Side of Chiba―Walk ten blocks to train. Purchase ticket. Electronic lady on ticket machine screen says, “Arigato gozaimasu” and bows. Ride train twenty minutes, watching for correct stop, get off, walk seven blocks to house. I did it myself!
Visiting Hisae Overnight―My Japanese study partner in USA returned to Japan, now lives on other side of Tokyo Bay.
Take large purse and large tote bag with jacket, nightie, toothbrush, cosmetics. Walk six blocks to bus stop. Ride bus to train station. Ride train eighty minutes to Yokohama. Find correct exit from station. EASY. Did not even look at note in pocket explaining route and Japanese signs. And, look! Hisae and three-year old Kei are waiting! “Hello!” they say! Many hugs!
I did it!
Then, still more travel: train together fifteen minutes, short taxi uphill to lovely apartment, sunny and bright.
Returning to Chiba, just reverse process. Next time, we can meet at a station halfway in between. I can do it.
I can do it!
Copyright (C) 2015 David Gregory. All rights reserved. Chiba, Japan
Book Review
TOKYO NOTICE BOARD MAY 11 2018Cherry Blossoms in the Time of Earthquakes and Tsunami
by Rey Ventura Reviewed by Randy Swank video maker and scriptwriter Rey Ventura won the 2015 National Book Award for his third collection of essays, Cherry Blossoms in the Time of Earthquakes and Tsunami, but for some strange twist of fate you will find very little information on this book. You can’t even buy it on Amazon. This is a shame because Cherry Blossoms... is a beautiful, insightful and thought-provoking book. |
Cherry Blossoms in the Time of Earthquakes and Tsunami |
In "Miniskirts and Stilettos" we meet Ginto, a young lady who comes to Japan dreaming of making it big as a singer and entertainer but has to deal instead with a much darker reality; while "Mr. Suzuki Tries Again" and "Into the Snow Country" are tragicomic tales of arranged marriages where the dreams and expectations of bride-starved farmers from Japan's Deep North clash with those of young Filipino women who want to escape their poverty and go into marriage "as a girl goes into a convent." Ventura tells these stories with a great eye for detail and manages to find a ray of light even in the darkest corners, or poetry in the midst of a nuclear disaster. The book's first essay is called "The Slow Boat to Manila" and indeed, slowness is the first word that comes to mind when considering Ventura's approach to writing. Everything Ventura does is slow. He is no magazine reporter after all, and will spend days or even months getting to know a person he wants to write about. That's the kind of personal commitment and deep connection with his subject that one feels when reading his essays. |
Tokyo Fab
TOKYO NOTICE BOARD APRIL 09. 2021
Brightness Open Air 2021
Now in its eighth year, Brightness has taken on the theme of 'regeneration', creating a dreamlike space in Kawasaki's 'Chidori Park', with its beautiful seaside views and vast open lawn space. The Spring Festival will bring together a diverse range of artists and performers, and is designed to be a long and fun event. The event will be run as an urban outdoor event with ample space for resting and chilling out in hammocks. Japan's leading DJ acts will perform in the ground area on the vast lawn space. The organizers of the event are determined to make this spring day an exciting day for all of us, aiming to penetrate this new era of Corona, which is dominated by uncertainty and chaos, and to achieve a bright future ahead. The venue is easily accessible from Tokyo and is only an hour away by train or taxi. See you all at Chidori Park this spring!
Date：2021 4/24 (Sat) 13:00〜4/25 (Sun)13:00
Venue: Chidori Park in Kawasaki
https://www.facebook.com/brightness.tokyo/
Otonami Open Air 2021
・ International SP Guest Live
◆ Rinkadink ( Future Music Records / South Africa )
・Live act
◆ PROHECHT (GRASSHOPPER RECORDS)
◆ Xipe totecs(Transubtil records/MAZE SOUND)
Embraced by rich nature, ‘Komatsu City Osugi Town Recreation Square' has been hosting 'Otonami' music festival every year. This year 'Otonami 2021' will be held again in this vast open space within the blissful green.
As a guest DJ, Otonami welcomes RINKADINK for the first time in Hokuriku region of Japan!! Rinkadink is South African music producer Werner van Jaarsveld. A DJ since his mid teens and a veteran of many years of electronic music production. He has been releasing music and performing in clubs and festivals around the world since 2002, playing in more than 35 countries and hundreds of cities.
Enjoy the festival, camping, Onsen, local specialties and more to have a little breezer away from urban life!
Date：April 17th (Sat), 2021
Venue: Komatsu City in Ishikawa Pref.
https://www.facebook.com/events/749868418989876/permalink/769630320347019/
What’s App With You?
TOKYO NOTICE BOARD APRIL 09. 2021
Feedly:
Goodbye information overload. Keep up with the topic and trends you care about, without the overwhelm. Feedly offers you the cure to information in easy few steps. Keep up with the topics and trends you care about, without the overwhelm. Make your research workflow efficient and enjoyable. A product developed out of sheer necessity. The best thing about Feedly is following all the news, trends, competitors easily with its AI, Leo. Leo is working like your news assistant scanning everything with your parameters. This tool is saving us a lot of time during our market research. With Feedly also we can send newsletters and archive this news with a couple of clicks. Organize the information you need in one place industry publications, expert blogs, news sites, youtube channels, twitter feeds, podcasts, and even Google News keyword alerts!
Strafe Esports:
Strafe provides comprehensive esports experience you can find on mobile. From up-to-date scores and results to real-time statistics and news, we cover the biggest esport titles around the world, all year long. Follow your favorite teams, players and tournaments and personalize the app the way you want it! Always stay notified whenever matches go live and predict the winning teams to earn rewards! Never miss another beat with Strafe Esports. Select the teams, players and esports you love and stay up to date with the latest news, roster moves, livestreams and announcements - all tailored to your liking!
Tokyo Voice Column
TOKYO NOTICE BOARD TNB Throwback: MARCH 25. 2016
Hana katarazu. by Paul Stewart
At this time of the year in Japan, as a writer it would almost be a crime not to talk about the Cherry Blossoms and the incredible pull they have on the people here.
It's a time of joy and celebration. Social gatherings spring up and workdays are scheduled on a sheet of plastic under the pink hue of Sakura. It's a joy to watch the families, friends, colleagues gather in appreciation and positivity with this short seasonal gift of Mother Nature.
A blossom is such a symbol isn’t it. It is the beginning of new life. A seed within a seed, its radiance is short lived yet so bright, it is timeless. I wonder if people can relate that to their own life as I wander along enjoying the picture that all are participating in the making of.
When your mind is at peace, you can catch a falling blossom and watch it dance all the way to the colored ground. Or watch it sail out and land gently upon the water of the nearby river. It’s like being in pink snow.
Have you ever tried to catch a falling petal? Have you tried to capture them in a picture? It’s not easy to do. But it is possible. The ability to appreciate is a moment not lost. It is full of abundance as are we. When we think about it, we realize, everything we do is to obtain some kind of feeling. The simplicity of this beautiful time in Japan as the Blossoms fall for another season, provides us with an opportunity to feel the depth and wonder of who we are.
The ability of the Japanese people to enjoy such things is something to feel good about and it is a shining example in a world of people who are also blossoming in many and varied ways.
日本の一年のうちのこの時期、物書きならば、桜や桜に魅了される日本人を黙って見過ごす事はできない。
喜ばしくお目出度い時期だ。平日になるとピンク色の桜の下ではプラスチックのシートが広げられ、あちらでもこちらでも人の輪ができ、みんなでお花見を楽しむ。家族、友人、会社の同僚で集まり、母なる自然からの春のつかの間の贈り物を、観賞して楽しむ。
桜は象徴だといえる。新しい人生の始まりであり、種の中の種は、短い人生でありながら見事な輝きを放ち、永遠だ。みんな、どのように自分の人生を桜に関連づけるのかと考えながら、僕は花見の風景を眺めながら散策を楽しむ。
心が平穏であると、散っていく花びらを手の平で受け止めたり、花色に染まる地面に舞っていく花びらを観賞できる。あるいは、川のみなもにたおやかに浮かぶ花びらを目で追える。まるでピンク色をした雪のよう。
舞う花びらを受け止めた事があるだろうか。写真に取った事があるだろうか。簡単ではないが、可能だ。花びらはいっぱいある。ある感情を理解することが大切だ。日本のこの美しい時期、次の季節のために桜が散っていくという潔さは、奥深い感情と自分が何者かという思いに馳せる機会をあたえてくれる。
花見を楽しむ日本人の行為は、精神面ですばらしい。そして様々な分野で成功を治める世界の人々のいいお手本である。
MUSEUM -What's Going on?-
TOKYO NOTICE BOARD MARCH 26. 2021
Constable A History of His Affections in England
Kashiwa Sato (b. 1965) is best known as the creative director for many major industrial and non - industrial design projects. After having engaged in innovative advertising projects as an art director at Hakuhodo Inc. in the 1990s, he started his own independent business in 2000. Since then, he has been devising the organizational and visual identities and branding strategies for clients in a variety of fields: corporate, educational (including a kindergarten and a university), medical (a hospital), the arts (museums), entertainment, fashion, and local industry. His work has attracted local and international attention.
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Sato’s unique methodology is to adapt a basic principle of visual design ― clarifying the information to be conveyed, grasping its essence, and deriving visual language and signposts that are immediately accessible to a mass audience ― and apply it to a wider, more diverse range of situations far exceeding the purview of visual design. His work has not only expanded and advanced the notion of design but also exerted influence on various aspects of society ― cultural, economic, and the patina of our daily lives.
In a presentation curated by Sato himself ― his largest private showing ― the exhibition will span thirty years of endeavor and explore his activities from different angles. By experiencing his multifarious achievements as “artworks,” the viewer will be offered the opportunity to share the excitement and enjoy of their peerless creativity.
Period: - May 10 (Mon), 2021
Venue: The National Art Center, Tokyo
Hours: 10:00-18:00 / -20:00 on Fridays & Saturdays after 4/2
(last admission 30 minutes before? closing)
Closed: Tuesdays (except 5/4)
Admission: General: ￥1,700 / University and college students: ￥1.200 / High school students: ￥800
For more information, please visit
Tokyo Type Directors Club Exhibition 2021
An exhibition showcasing the fruits of the Tokyo TDC Annual Awards 2021, an international graphic design award focused on the visual representation of written language through type design and typography.
The exhibition will present 122 pieces of the world’s most cutting-edge graphics.
The Tokyo TDC Exhibition is held annually in April. While last year’s exhibition was unavoidably postponed to summer, this year the exhibition returns to April and will be held for two months. Despite fears that it would not be possible due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the competition has attracted as many as 3,750 entries (1,947 by Japanese entrants and 1,803 by overseas entrants) from 35 countries―exceeding the numbers in other years. As a showcase of the fruits of this competition, the exhibition will display around 122 of the prizewinning and nominated works.
designed by Jianping He
This press release introduces the 12 prizewinning pieces in the form of comments from the prizewinners.
Each of the pieces has its own appeal―such as the vast amounts of time and energy poured into a design―and the diversity of the stories behind the creation of each of the 12 winning pieces is truly astounding. There are also designs that were born amid the unique social conditions of 2020. As in previous years, this year’s pieces provide a rich source for discussion.
Period: April 01 - May 29, 2021
Venue: ginza graphic gallery (ggg)
Hours: 11:00-19:00 (last admission 30 minutes before closing)
Admission: Free
For more information, please visit
Strange but True
TOKYO NOTICE BOARD APRIL 09. 2021
The Best Employee of ... ALL TIME!
A supermarket manager has been praised for his act of kindness after a seven-year-old girl was left devastated to find her favourite toy was sold out. The little girl had spotted a Squishmallow rabbit toy and became determined to save up her pocket money to buy it for herself. She returned to the shop only to find it had sold out. Seeing that the girl was close to tears, store manager began to ring round all of the local Aldi stores in the hope they would have one left, but was unable to locate one. Incredibly, he told her that if she came back to the same store in a few days he would hand over his own Squishmallow rabbit that he had purchased for his baby, saying it wouldn't be missed. The following week he handed over the toy to a delighted girl and refused to take any money in return, leaving her Mom "blown away" by the kind-hearted gesture. The girl now named her new toy after him and penned a letter to thank the manager for everything he had done.
Trashy or Harmless?
A man and woman who met in a bar were branded 'trashy' after faking a marriage proposal to bag free drinks - but others defended them and argued it was "harmless fun". A pair of complete strangers joined forces to fake a marriage proposal in a packed bar to bag themselves free drinks - and the stunt has really divided opinion. In a video uploaded to Reddit's Trashy forum, a man wearing a grey jumper and baseball cap can be seen getting down on one knee to 'pop the question' as the woman accepts before the pair share a romantic kiss. Other strangers in the bar, thought to be in the US, get to their feet to cheer and clap as the happy couple's friends orchestrate the excitement with wild celebrations. The bar staff also join in with the congratulations and the group can be seen toasting the moment with free drinks - but it seems the gestures of goodwill had fallen victim to the pair's devious plan...
Links
Guesthouse Tokyo
10 minutes to Ikebukuro.
Interhouse
safe and accessible solution for your accommodation needs in Tokyo.
Sakura House
1830 monthly furnished rooms at 204 locations in Tokyo.
BAUHOUSE
Private furnished rooms in Roppongi, Akasaka, Azabu-Juban etc.
J&F Plaza
Furnished & unfurnished guesthouses and apartments in Tokyo.
May Flower House
Tokyo furnished apartments. Ginza, Roppongi, Yotsuya and more.
TenTen Guesthouse
33,000yen/30 days for working holiday students.
GOOD ROOM TOKYO
Share room, Private room, under 50,000yen
MOVE JAPAN
Private furnished rooms in Tokyo with free internet. Call us first or call us last!
Tokyomove.com
Hassle free moving starts from 6000yen.
Tokyo Helping Hands
Very flexible working hours to effectly help you with moving, deliveries, disposal, storage and more!
AirNet Travel
We'll cut you the best air ticket deals anywhere.
Fun Travel
Discount air travel & package tours 2min from Roppongi Stn.
No.1 Travel
We go the extra mile for you. International air tickets and hotels.
JR Tokai Tours
Top-value travel to Kyoto, Osaka, Nagoya from Tokyo by Shinkansen.
Matsuda Legal Office
All kinds of Visa, Immigration & Naturalization, International Marriage etc.
Futaba Visa Office
Licensed immigration lawyer & certified public tax consultant.
American Pharmacy
English speaking pharmacy since 1950.
Tokyo Skin Clinic
EU-licensed multi lingual doctors.
Tax-free AKKY
Japanese Appliance, Watch, Souvenirs
Tokyo Speed Dating
1st Sat. & 3rd Sun. at Bari n Roppongi ETC.
Tokyo Spontaneous
Picnic, Parties, Language exchange
TMA
Japanese women & Western men.
Tokyo Fab
TOKYO NOTICE BOARD APRIL 09. 2021Brightness Open Air 2021
Now in its eighth year, Brightness has taken on the theme of 'regeneration', creating a dreamlike space in Kawasaki's 'Chidori Park', with its beautiful seaside views and vast open lawn space. The Spring Festival will bring together a diverse range of artists and performers, and is designed to be a long and fun event. The event will be run as an urban outdoor event with ample space for resting and chilling out in hammocks. Japan's leading DJ acts will perform in the ground area on the vast lawn space. The organizers of the event are determined to make this spring day an exciting day for all of us, aiming to penetrate this new era of Corona, which is dominated by uncertainty and chaos, and to achieve a bright future ahead. The venue is easily accessible from Tokyo and is only an hour away by train or taxi. See you all at Chidori Park this spring!
Date：2021 4/24 (Sat) 13:00〜4/25 (Sun)13:00
Venue: Chidori Park in Kawasaki
https://www.facebook.com/brightness.tokyo/
Otonami Open Air 2021
・ International SP Guest Live
◆ Rinkadink ( Future Music Records / South Africa )
・Live act
◆ PROHECHT (GRASSHOPPER RECORDS)
◆ Xipe totecs(Transubtil records/MAZE SOUND)
Embraced by rich nature, ‘Komatsu City Osugi Town Recreation Square' has been hosting 'Otonami' music festival every year. This year 'Otonami 2021' will be held again in this vast open space within the blissful green.
As a guest DJ, Otonami welcomes RINKADINK for the first time in Hokuriku region of Japan!! Rinkadink is South African music producer Werner van Jaarsveld. A DJ since his mid teens and a veteran of many years of electronic music production. He has been releasing music and performing in clubs and festivals around the world since 2002, playing in more than 35 countries and hundreds of cities.
Enjoy the festival, camping, Onsen, local specialties and more to have a little breezer away from urban life!
Date：April 17th (Sat), 2021
Venue: Komatsu City in Ishikawa Pref.
https://www.facebook.com/events/749868418989876/permalink/769630320347019/
What’s App With You?
TOKYO NOTICE BOARD APRIL 09. 2021Feedly:
Goodbye information overload. Keep up with the topic and trends you care about, without the overwhelm. Feedly offers you the cure to information in easy few steps. Keep up with the topics and trends you care about, without the overwhelm. Make your research workflow efficient and enjoyable. A product developed out of sheer necessity. The best thing about Feedly is following all the news, trends, competitors easily with its AI, Leo. Leo is working like your news assistant scanning everything with your parameters. This tool is saving us a lot of time during our market research. With Feedly also we can send newsletters and archive this news with a couple of clicks. Organize the information you need in one place industry publications, expert blogs, news sites, youtube channels, twitter feeds, podcasts, and even Google News keyword alerts!
Strafe Esports:
Strafe provides comprehensive esports experience you can find on mobile. From up-to-date scores and results to real-time statistics and news, we cover the biggest esport titles around the world, all year long. Follow your favorite teams, players and tournaments and personalize the app the way you want it! Always stay notified whenever matches go live and predict the winning teams to earn rewards! Never miss another beat with Strafe Esports. Select the teams, players and esports you love and stay up to date with the latest news, roster moves, livestreams and announcements - all tailored to your liking!
Tokyo Voice Column
TOKYO NOTICE BOARD TNB Throwback: MARCH 25. 2016Hana katarazu. by Paul Stewart
At this time of the year in Japan, as a writer it would almost be a crime not to talk about the Cherry Blossoms and the incredible pull they have on the people here.
It's a time of joy and celebration. Social gatherings spring up and workdays are scheduled on a sheet of plastic under the pink hue of Sakura. It's a joy to watch the families, friends, colleagues gather in appreciation and positivity with this short seasonal gift of Mother Nature.
A blossom is such a symbol isn’t it. It is the beginning of new life. A seed within a seed, its radiance is short lived yet so bright, it is timeless. I wonder if people can relate that to their own life as I wander along enjoying the picture that all are participating in the making of.
When your mind is at peace, you can catch a falling blossom and watch it dance all the way to the colored ground. Or watch it sail out and land gently upon the water of the nearby river. It’s like being in pink snow.
Have you ever tried to catch a falling petal? Have you tried to capture them in a picture? It’s not easy to do. But it is possible. The ability to appreciate is a moment not lost. It is full of abundance as are we. When we think about it, we realize, everything we do is to obtain some kind of feeling. The simplicity of this beautiful time in Japan as the Blossoms fall for another season, provides us with an opportunity to feel the depth and wonder of who we are.
The ability of the Japanese people to enjoy such things is something to feel good about and it is a shining example in a world of people who are also blossoming in many and varied ways.
日本の一年のうちのこの時期、物書きならば、桜や桜に魅了される日本人を黙って見過ごす事はできない。
喜ばしくお目出度い時期だ。平日になるとピンク色の桜の下ではプラスチックのシートが広げられ、あちらでもこちらでも人の輪ができ、みんなでお花見を楽しむ。家族、友人、会社の同僚で集まり、母なる自然からの春のつかの間の贈り物を、観賞して楽しむ。
桜は象徴だといえる。新しい人生の始まりであり、種の中の種は、短い人生でありながら見事な輝きを放ち、永遠だ。みんな、どのように自分の人生を桜に関連づけるのかと考えながら、僕は花見の風景を眺めながら散策を楽しむ。
心が平穏であると、散っていく花びらを手の平で受け止めたり、花色に染まる地面に舞っていく花びらを観賞できる。あるいは、川のみなもにたおやかに浮かぶ花びらを目で追える。まるでピンク色をした雪のよう。
舞う花びらを受け止めた事があるだろうか。写真に取った事があるだろうか。簡単ではないが、可能だ。花びらはいっぱいある。ある感情を理解することが大切だ。日本のこの美しい時期、次の季節のために桜が散っていくという潔さは、奥深い感情と自分が何者かという思いに馳せる機会をあたえてくれる。
花見を楽しむ日本人の行為は、精神面ですばらしい。そして様々な分野で成功を治める世界の人々のいいお手本である。
MUSEUM -What's Going on?-
TOKYO NOTICE BOARD MARCH 26. 2021Constable A History of His Affections in England
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Sato’s unique methodology is to adapt a basic principle of visual design ― clarifying the information to be conveyed, grasping its essence, and deriving visual language and signposts that are immediately accessible to a mass audience ― and apply it to a wider, more diverse range of situations far exceeding the purview of visual design. His work has not only expanded and advanced the notion of design but also exerted influence on various aspects of society ― cultural, economic, and the patina of our daily lives. |
Period: - May 10 (Mon), 2021
Venue: The National Art Center, Tokyo
Hours: 10:00-18:00 / -20:00 on Fridays & Saturdays after 4/2
(last admission 30 minutes before? closing)
Closed: Tuesdays (except 5/4)
Admission: General: ￥1,700 / University and college students: ￥1.200 / High school students: ￥800
For more information, please visit
Tokyo Type Directors Club Exhibition 2021 An exhibition showcasing the fruits of the Tokyo TDC Annual Awards 2021, an international graphic design award focused on the visual representation of written language through type design and typography. |
designed by Jianping He |
This press release introduces the 12 prizewinning pieces in the form of comments from the prizewinners. |
Period: April 01 - May 29, 2021
Venue: ginza graphic gallery (ggg)
Hours: 11:00-19:00 (last admission 30 minutes before closing)
Admission: Free
For more information, please visit
Strange but True
TOKYO NOTICE BOARD APRIL 09. 2021The Best Employee of ... ALL TIME!
A supermarket manager has been praised for his act of kindness after a seven-year-old girl was left devastated to find her favourite toy was sold out. The little girl had spotted a Squishmallow rabbit toy and became determined to save up her pocket money to buy it for herself. She returned to the shop only to find it had sold out. Seeing that the girl was close to tears, store manager began to ring round all of the local Aldi stores in the hope they would have one left, but was unable to locate one. Incredibly, he told her that if she came back to the same store in a few days he would hand over his own Squishmallow rabbit that he had purchased for his baby, saying it wouldn't be missed. The following week he handed over the toy to a delighted girl and refused to take any money in return, leaving her Mom "blown away" by the kind-hearted gesture. The girl now named her new toy after him and penned a letter to thank the manager for everything he had done.
Trashy or Harmless?
A man and woman who met in a bar were branded 'trashy' after faking a marriage proposal to bag free drinks - but others defended them and argued it was "harmless fun". A pair of complete strangers joined forces to fake a marriage proposal in a packed bar to bag themselves free drinks - and the stunt has really divided opinion. In a video uploaded to Reddit's Trashy forum, a man wearing a grey jumper and baseball cap can be seen getting down on one knee to 'pop the question' as the woman accepts before the pair share a romantic kiss. Other strangers in the bar, thought to be in the US, get to their feet to cheer and clap as the happy couple's friends orchestrate the excitement with wild celebrations. The bar staff also join in with the congratulations and the group can be seen toasting the moment with free drinks - but it seems the gestures of goodwill had fallen victim to the pair's devious plan...
Links
Guesthouse Tokyo10 minutes to Ikebukuro. Interhousesafe and accessible solution for your accommodation needs in Tokyo. Sakura House1830 monthly furnished rooms at 204 locations in Tokyo. BAUHOUSEPrivate furnished rooms in Roppongi, Akasaka, Azabu-Juban etc. |
J&F PlazaFurnished & unfurnished guesthouses and apartments in Tokyo. May Flower HouseTokyo furnished apartments. Ginza, Roppongi, Yotsuya and more. TenTen Guesthouse33,000yen/30 days for working holiday students. GOOD ROOM TOKYOShare room, Private room, under 50,000yen |
MOVE JAPANPrivate furnished rooms in Tokyo with free internet. Call us first or call us last! Tokyomove.comHassle free moving starts from 6000yen. |
Tokyo Helping HandsVery flexible working hours to effectly help you with moving, deliveries, disposal, storage and more! |
AirNet TravelWe'll cut you the best air ticket deals anywhere. Fun TravelDiscount air travel & package tours 2min from Roppongi Stn. |
No.1 TravelWe go the extra mile for you. International air tickets and hotels. JR Tokai ToursTop-value travel to Kyoto, Osaka, Nagoya from Tokyo by Shinkansen. |
Matsuda Legal OfficeAll kinds of Visa, Immigration & Naturalization, International Marriage etc. |
Futaba Visa OfficeLicensed immigration lawyer & certified public tax consultant. |
|
American PharmacyEnglish speaking pharmacy since 1950. |
Tokyo Skin ClinicEU-licensed multi lingual doctors. |
|
Tax-free AKKYJapanese Appliance, Watch, Souvenirs |
Tokyo Speed Dating1st Sat. & 3rd Sun. at Bari n Roppongi ETC. Tokyo SpontaneousPicnic, Parties, Language exchange |
|
TMAJapanese women & Western men. |
|
50 Shades of Yikess
