Plain Talk
TOKYO NOTICE BOARD SEPTEMBER 17. 2021Monday blues, or A serious case of Sazae-san Syndrome by Olivia
Fridays are the best. Mondays are the worst. Especially if you are an office worker. Especially if you don’t feel passionate about your job. But, even if you like your job, it may be difficult to let go off Sunday!
People all over the world agree on that. Think TGIF (Thank God, It’s Friday) and Monday blues in the US and some other countries, and hanakin (華金) and Sazae-san syndrome (サザエさん症候群) in Japan. Two different worlds, but two almost identical phenomena. On Friday night we can finally relax, so we maybe drink and eat a little too much and go to bed late. There is still so much time ahead!
Actually, hanakin tradition is a popular word among people in their 40s and 50s, but many young people in Japan don’t know it or at least interpret it differently. They spend Friday night at home, relaxing and drinking if they want to. As opposed to the traditional culture of nominication, or communication with coworkers while drinking, it is a good way to avoid lots of types of harassment by senior employees. Thanks to teleworking, it is getting more and more common.
“Sazae-san” is officially the longest-running animated TV series (awarded the Guinness World Record) which features a funny Japanese extended family with a clumsy but cheerful Sazae-san as the main character. It is shown on TV from 6:30 to 7 pm every Sunday. “Sazae-san Syndrome” is when we feel uncomfortable about the next day (Monday) on Sunday evening/night.
Abroad, there is a number of terms to indicate the same symptoms: Sunday Night Blues, Monday Blues, Monday Morning Syndrome. The feeling of anxiety and depression creeps in and ruins the end of Sunday and makes Monday unbearable for some.
While there may be many personal reasons why we feel so happy on Fridays and so miserable on Mondays, there are some mistakes all of us make.
One of the things we may be unknowingly doing on the weekends is disrupting our circadian rhythm (24-hour cycle of our body). Going to bed late and sleeping in on Saturday and Sunday doesn’t seem like a big deal… I mean, we need some extra sleep because we didn’t have much of it on weekdays, right? According to sleep scientists, things don’t work that way. Inconsistent sleep schedule (varying bedtime and/or morning wake-up time) can throw our body clock out, which makes getting up on Monday morning even more difficult.
Light has the most powerful influence on our 24-hour cycle. As we tend to spend more time on the Internet or watching online TV etc. in the evenings, especially on weekends, we get exposed to more and more blue light from electronic devices. It can seriously mess up the production of melatonin (sleep hormone) in our body and cause sleepless nights.
In order to feel refreshed and ready for the next Monday, why not try some new activities that are not technology-related? Getting more exercise and sunlight are good for health and will promote a healthier sleep routine. I am going biking next weekend, and you?
金曜は最高。月曜は最悪だ。特にあなたがサラリーマンであれば。自分の仕事に情熱を感じていない人ならなおさらだ。でも、たとえ仕事が大好きでも、日曜日を手放すというのは難しいかもしれない。
世界中の人達がみな同感だ。アメリカなどの国ではTGIF（Thank God, It's Friday）やマンデーブルーが、日本では花金やサザエさん症候群がそうだ。2つの異なる世界、しかし2つのほぼ同じ現象。金曜日の夜はやっとリラックスできるので、ちょっと飲み過ぎ、食べ過ぎ、寝るのが遅くなるかもしれない。月曜日まで、まだまだ時間はいっぱいある。
実際、花金の伝統は40代、50代の人たちの間ではよく知られた言葉だが、日本の多くの若者はそれを知らないか、少なくとも違った解釈をしている。彼らは金曜日の夜、家でまったりと過ごし、飲みたければ飲む。伝統的な文化であるノミニケーション、つまりお酒を飲みながら同僚とコミュニケーションをとることとは対照的に、先輩社員によるたくさんの種類のハラスメントを避けるための良い方法だ。テレワークのおかげで、それはますます一般的になってきています。
「サザエさん」は、不器用だけど明るいサザエさんを主人公に、日本のおかしな大家族を描いたテレビアニメで、公式には最も長く放映されているテレビアニメ番組（ギネス世界記録）だ。毎週日曜日の午後6時30分から7時までテレビで放映されている。「サザエさん症候群」とは、日曜日の夕方から夜にかけて、翌日（月曜日）のことが気になって憂鬱になる状態のことだ。
海外では、同じような症状を示す言葉がいくつもある。Sunday Night Blues」、「Monday Blues」、「Monday Morning Syndrome」。不安や憂鬱な気持ちが忍び寄り、日曜日の終わりを台無しにし、月曜日を耐えられないものにしてしまう人もいるのだ。
金曜日はとても楽しく、月曜日をとても惨めに感じるのには、いろんな個人的理由があるかもしれないが、誰もが犯す間違いもある。
週末、知らず知らずのうちに行ってしまうことに、サーカディアンリズム（体の24時間周期）の乱れがある。土日に寝るのが遅くなったり、寝坊したりするのは、大したことではないように思える。つまり、平日に寝られなかった分の睡眠を補う必要があるのではないだろうか？ 睡眠科学者によると、そうではないようだ。就寝時間や起床時間がバラバラだと、体内時計が狂ってしまい、月曜の朝の起床を難しくさせる。
光は、私たちの24時間サイクルに最も強い影響を与える。夕方、特に週末にインターネットやオンラインテレビなどを利用する時間が増える傾向にある私たちは、電子機器からのブルーライトをより多く浴びることになる。それは、体内のメラトニン（睡眠ホルモン）の生成を著しく狂わせ、夜、眠れない原因となる。
リフレッシュして次の月曜日を迎えるために、テクノロジーとは関係のない新しい活動をしてみてはいかがだろうか。運動や日光を浴びることは健康に良いし、健康的な睡眠習慣を促進させる。私は来週末、サイクリングをする予定だ。さて、あなたは？
Plain Talk
TOKYO NOTICE BOARD TNB Throwback: AUGUST 25. 2018Different Seasons by Esteban Lopez
I grew up in a small town in Texas called McAllen and it sits right next to the Mexican border. I lived about 15 minutes away from Mexico by car. But, what always saddened me about my hometown was that this area of Texas only had two seasons, hot and cold. In reality, it was either very hot, about 100 degrees in summer and 50 degrees in winter. And I always felt that this was a reflection of my emotions there － everything was either black or white, there was no grey area. It was either happy or bleak, that was until I moved to Tokyo.
In Tokyo, there are four distinct seasons; spring, summer, fall and winter. Each season is marked distinctly by a special occasion.
In spring, the beautiful blossoming of the Sakura trees fill the streets, as petals fall from the branches and flutter across the sky. You cannot help but feel an immense happiness fill your being when seeing such beauty unfold before you and understand that life begins anew during this time.
In summer, the Matsuri festivals with their enticing food stalls, namely; Tako Yaki. Everytime I go to a Matsuri festival, the first thing I want to do is eat Tako Yaki and indulge into the steaming squid. During those first bites, another kind of happiness wells up inside of me, an immense sense of contentment as I understand it’s summer in Japan.
In fall, the changing of the leaves from green to rich colors of red and orange bring in me a quiet solitude as I come to realize that another year of my life comes to a close and I have grown a year older.
In winter, I always look forward to eating Osechi and Toshi-Koshi Soba and spending time with my Japanese family as we gather around the TV and watch Kohaku Uta Gassen together. The warmth and love that I feel at this very moment pales in comparison to the extreme emotions of my hometown and I as go into the new year with a warm heart, and the love of my Japanese family, I can think of no better way to experience the seasons in my life.
僕はマッカレンと言うメキシコ国境の右側にあるテキサス州の小さな町で育った。住んでいた所からメキシコへは、車で１５分程で行けた。しかし僕の町でつねづね残念に思っていたのは、テキスト州でもこの地域には暑いか寒いかのふたつの季節しかない事だった。夏の暑さは華氏１００度（摂氏３７、８度）、冬の寒さは５０度（摂氏１０度）だった。それは、すべては黒か白かでグレイはないと思う僕の感情の現れだと感じていた。幸福かわびしいかを知ったのは、東京に越して来てからだ。
東京には、春・夏・秋・冬の四季がある。季節特有の行事があり四季は明確な区別がある。
春になると、桜の木が花を咲かせ、通りをピンク色に埋め尽くす。枝からこぼれ落ちた花びらが空へとひらひら舞う。このような美しい光景で心は至福の喜びで満たされる。そしてこの時期、新たな人生の始まりを理解する。
夏になると、たこ焼き等の屋台と共に祭りがやってくる。毎年祭りに行くと真っ先に僕はたこ焼きを買い、たらふくほおばり満ち足りる。最初の一口をほおばると、身体の中から幸福感がわき上がり、これこそ日本の夏だ！という喜びで満たされる。
秋になると、緑色の葉が、深みのある赤、オレンジ色へと変わる。それを見ると静かな寂しさがこみ上げ、僕の１年が終わったなと感じ、また一才、歳を取ったと実感する。
冬になると、おせち料理と年越ソバを食べ、日本の家族と一緒にTVを囲み紅白歌合戦を見て楽しむ日々を待ちわびる。この瞬間に感じる暖かさと愛は、故国で覚える激しい感情と比べれば見劣りする。しかし日本の家族の愛と思いやりを感じながら新年を迎える時こそ、季節の醍醐味に感動するが、そう思うのは僕だけだろうか。
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 SEPTEMBER 17. 2021
Tokyo International Art Fair
The TOKYO INTERNATIONAL ART FAIR now in its 6th edition is organised by MACA DMCC (also known as the Global Art Agency/GAA). The event is set at the Belle Salle exhibition hall in the middle of Roppongi - famous for the affluent Roppongi Hills, Mori Contemporary Art Museum and popular art scene of Tokyo.
TIAF 2021 is held on Friday 8th of October and Saturday 9th of October 2021. The sixth edition of the fair in Tokyo will be a festival for international exchange through art introducing contemporary and modern art by 100 participating artists from over 40 countries under one fabulous roof.
The fair presents artworks such as original paintings, sculptures, photography art, illustrations, jewellery and much more. There will be an interactive setting and you will be able to meet the artists that have travelled from as far as Europe, USA, Middle East and. You can purchase the artworks right on the spot and can immerse in one great weekend of art, music, performances and its well-known after party where the artists connect with the buyers.
Date：Saturday 10/8 & 10/9 2021
Venue: Bellesalle Roppongi
"the nature of things" Art Exhibition
Tokyo Art Studio is a platform for the global community of contemporary artists based in Japan.
Tokyo Art Studio's second exhibition featuring artists presenting a selection of works that demonstrate their artistic interpretations of what nature can be in their practice.
The nature of things explores the intrinsic play of natural elements, material movement and bodies in motion that is expressed through the processes and subjects of our nine artists.
This is a group of exhibitions exploring the intrinsic play of elements.
COVID precautions will be followed. Free reservations are highly recommended.
Date：25 September - 4 October, 2021
Venue: Tokyo Art Studio
https://www.facebook.com/TokyoArtStudio
What’s App With You?
TOKYO NOTICE BOARD SEPTEMBER 17. 2021
Wanna Kicks:
Love trying out new Kicks? Hot or not, what do you think? Be the first to experience yet to be released trainers. Wanna Kicks is an app that lets you try kicks from across the globe without going to any physical store before you make a purchase. The app uses augmented reality to bring classics, new, and trendy kicks, and sneakers that you can try in AR mode. The app updates the list of kicks every day. Discover fresh drops and classics with the help of augmented reality or learn more about those kicks you find amazing, try them, and share the pic with your friends all in AR. The app already has more than a million downloads and receives constant app updates from its developer.
Air Visual:
Whether you are someone who keeps a tab on pollution and air quality or sensitive to certain pollutants or otherwise, Air Visual is a great app that will keep you updated on air quality information and with no advertising. The app shows historical and real-time air quality indexes, 7-days forecasts and produces a detailed outlook on pollutants. Air Visual lets you keep a tab on air pollution, weather, and with health recommendations, you can be a step ahead of the pack when visiting a new place or country. The app has coverage in more than 10,000 cities in 8+ countries across the globe and more are being added. Trusted by air quality stations across many countries, the app, Air Visual has maintained its prowess in the air quality and weather information category of apps with more than 5M installs.
Tokyo Voice Column
TOKYO NOTICE BOARD TNB Throwback: SEPTEMBER 13. 2019
Celebrating Japan’s Autumnal Equinox by Jacqueline C. Sarmiento
In Japanese traditions, Autumnal Equinox is observed on the 22nd or 23rd of September, and is known as “Shubun No Hi”. It is a public National Holiday in Japan.
It is a great holiday that marks the arrival of fall season and celebrates the memories of relatives. Considering the climate in Autimnal Equinox Day in Japan which is generally pleasant, Japanese people have so many ways to celebrate the holiday feast. It allows them to spend time honoring their ancestors, reunite with their families before winter arrives and have fun and leisure.
Many Japanese people pay respect and visits gravestone of their deceased family members. They clean the plot, bring flowers and some offers incense and food. Some people also visits temple festivals to donate and leave food for the monks. "shukikoreisai" (imperial ceremony of ancestor worship of the autumnal equinox) held in the Japanese Imperial Court
Buddhism was introduced into Japan in the middle of the 6th century. There are now over seventy-seven thousand Buddhist temples and about eighty-one thousand Shinto shrines throughout Japan. Tokyo has about 2900 temples, sand about 1500 shrines to offer beautiful and interesting architecture.
The Autumnal Equinox holiday is perfect to travel, relax, unwind and have a short vacation.
日本では、９月２２日、あるいは２３日の秋分日を『秋分の日』として祝う習慣がある。そしてその日は日本の国民の祝日だ。
秋の訪れを示す祝日は、先祖供養の日でもある。秋分の日の天候は、おおむね良好で、さまざまな行事が行われる。冬の到来前に家族みんなが集い、祖先に敬い楽しく過ごす日である。
日本人の多くが、先祖を供養し、親族の墓前を訪ずれる。墓を掃除し、花を飾り、線香をたき、好物を供える。仏教寺院の彼岸会に出席し、お布施や供え物を捧げる。宮中では秋季皇霊祭が行われる。
仏教は６世紀半ばに日本に伝わった。現在、日本には７７０００以上の仏教寺院と約８１０００の神社が存在する。東京には、約２９００の寺と約１５００神社があり、その建築様式は美しく興味深い。
秋分の日は外出したり、リラックスしたり、くつろいだぐには最適だ。あるいは、小旅行に出かけるのもいい。
MUSEUM -What's Going on?-
TOKYO NOTICE BOARD SEPTEMBER 17. 2021
Collecting Van Gogh: Helene Kro¨ller-Mu¨ller’s Passion for Vincent’s Art
Enamored by Vincent van Gogh (1853-1890), Helene Kro¨ller-Mu¨ller (1869-1939) came to own the world’s largest private collection of the artist’s work. For some twenty years, from 1908 when Van Gogh’s reputation was taking off, she amassed no fewer than 90 paintings and more than 180 works on paper along with her husband, mining and shipping tycoon Anton Kro¨ller.
Discovering a profound spirituality in the art of Van Gogh, Helene devoted herself to founding art museums so as to share her passion with as many people as possible. Foreseeing her establishment of an art museum, Helene Kro¨ller-Mu¨ller chose high quality works and systematically collected paintings spanning Van Gogh’s early to late periods. Viewers will enjoy tracing Van Gogh’s development from his earliest sketches to the masterworks of his final year.
Vincent van Gogh, The Yellow House (The Street),
September 1888, Oil on canvas,
Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam
(Vincent van Gogh Foundation)
(C) Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam
(Vincent van Gogh Foundation)
Through Helene’s extraordinary collection, this exhibition will trace the development of modern painting with a focus on Van Gogh. Featured will be 28 paintings and 20 drawings by Van Gogh, along with 20 paintings by Jean-Francois Millet, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Georges Seurat, Odilon Redon, and Piet Mondrian, all from the Kro¨ller-Mu¨ller Museum. The exhibition will also survey the dramatic growth of Van Gogh’s popularity and reputation since the early 20th century through four paintings from the Van Gogh Museum, including The Yellow House (The Street).
Period: September 18 (Sat) － December 12 (Sun), 2021
Venue: Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum
Closed: Mondays (except 9/20, 11/8, 11/22 & 11/29) and 9/21
Hours: 09:30 - 17:30 (last admission 30 minutes before closing)
General: ￥2,000 / College students: ￥1,300 / Seniors 65+: ￥1,200 *Reservation recommended.
For more information, please visit
Masterpieces of the Pola Museum of Art LA DOUCE FRANCE
Encounter Masterpiece Paintings at Shibuya, Ranging from Monet and Renoir to Matisse and Chagall
The Pola Museum of Art boasts one of Japan's finest collections of Western modern paintings. From this collection, we have carefully selected paintings of 28 particularly popular artists who were active in France, to present them with the museum's collection of cosmetic utensils, adding up to some 90 works in total.
This exhibition includes paintings ranging from the Impressionist period to the age of E´cole de Paris, as well as Art Nouveau and Art Deco handicrafts. This selection of works lets you enjoy the urban refinement and richness of everyday life, as well as the pleasent landscapes of "La Douce France".
Pierre Auguste Renoir,
Girl in a Lace Hat,
1891, Oil on canvas
Three themes pervade the exhibition: the fashionable female image serving as a snapshot of the times; the city of Paris that underwent significant changes through modernization; and finally journeys, with scenic views encountered by the painters on their travels, and a trip to their key locations, such as southern France, related to art creation. These themes will highlight the aesthetic that transcended age and style as it was transmitted through these painters in France.
Period: September 18 (Sat) - November 23 (Tue), 2021
Venue: Bunkamura THE MUSEUM
Hours: 10:00 - 18:00 / - 21:00 on Fridays and Saturdays (last admission 30 minutes before? closing)
Closed: 9/28 & 10/26
Admission: Admission: Adults: ￥1,700 / University, College and High School Students: ￥1,000 / Junior high School and Elementary School Students: ￥700
For more information, please visit
Strange but True
TOKYO NOTICE BOARD SEPTEMBER 17. 2021
Welcome Back ABBA!
ABBA has delighted fans with the announcement of their long-awaited hologram tour. Tweeting from their ABBA Voyage account, the group said: London. Join us. abbavoyage.com 02.09.21." According to reports, a succession of shows are set to take place in a purpose-built, 3,000-capacity arena in London. The state-of-the-art concert will feature all four members of the greatest pop group of all time, Agnetha Faltskog, Bjorn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson and Anni-Frid Lyngstad, performing as holograms of their younger selves, according to The Sun. If you've seen the holograms of Tupac and Michael Jackson, you might have been blown away by the amazing technology. In the case of ABBA, it will take fans back to the pop group's heyday － and will no doubt be an incredible experience.
Best Pals!
Heartwarming footage of two dogs and a pair of dumpling-sized guinea pigs' forming an unusual bond over a bowl of salad has taken over the internet. Eight-year-old Wilbur the Basset Hound and his two guinea pig sisters, Market Price and Rumpadump, have been happily sharing lettuce for the past four years, but they didn’t expect another canine friend, Shrimp, would soon join the odd snack party. The jolly rescue dog quickly integrated into the family and joined the rest for regularly healthy treats, despite being a creature of very different size to the guinea pigs － she weighs 75 pounds. Sweet Shrimp has learned to wait for her little counterparts to eat first, despite her habits of gobbling food up while living on the streets.
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 SEPTEMBER 17. 2021Tokyo International Art Fair
The TOKYO INTERNATIONAL ART FAIR now in its 6th edition is organised by MACA DMCC (also known as the Global Art Agency/GAA). The event is set at the Belle Salle exhibition hall in the middle of Roppongi - famous for the affluent Roppongi Hills, Mori Contemporary Art Museum and popular art scene of Tokyo.
TIAF 2021 is held on Friday 8th of October and Saturday 9th of October 2021. The sixth edition of the fair in Tokyo will be a festival for international exchange through art introducing contemporary and modern art by 100 participating artists from over 40 countries under one fabulous roof.
The fair presents artworks such as original paintings, sculptures, photography art, illustrations, jewellery and much more. There will be an interactive setting and you will be able to meet the artists that have travelled from as far as Europe, USA, Middle East and. You can purchase the artworks right on the spot and can immerse in one great weekend of art, music, performances and its well-known after party where the artists connect with the buyers.
Date：Saturday 10/8 & 10/9 2021
Venue: Bellesalle Roppongi
"the nature of things" Art Exhibition
Tokyo Art Studio is a platform for the global community of contemporary artists based in Japan.
Tokyo Art Studio's second exhibition featuring artists presenting a selection of works that demonstrate their artistic interpretations of what nature can be in their practice.
The nature of things explores the intrinsic play of natural elements, material movement and bodies in motion that is expressed through the processes and subjects of our nine artists.
This is a group of exhibitions exploring the intrinsic play of elements.
COVID precautions will be followed. Free reservations are highly recommended.
Date：25 September - 4 October, 2021
Venue: Tokyo Art Studio
https://www.facebook.com/TokyoArtStudio
What’s App With You?
TOKYO NOTICE BOARD SEPTEMBER 17. 2021Wanna Kicks:
Love trying out new Kicks? Hot or not, what do you think? Be the first to experience yet to be released trainers. Wanna Kicks is an app that lets you try kicks from across the globe without going to any physical store before you make a purchase. The app uses augmented reality to bring classics, new, and trendy kicks, and sneakers that you can try in AR mode. The app updates the list of kicks every day. Discover fresh drops and classics with the help of augmented reality or learn more about those kicks you find amazing, try them, and share the pic with your friends all in AR. The app already has more than a million downloads and receives constant app updates from its developer.
Air Visual:
Whether you are someone who keeps a tab on pollution and air quality or sensitive to certain pollutants or otherwise, Air Visual is a great app that will keep you updated on air quality information and with no advertising. The app shows historical and real-time air quality indexes, 7-days forecasts and produces a detailed outlook on pollutants. Air Visual lets you keep a tab on air pollution, weather, and with health recommendations, you can be a step ahead of the pack when visiting a new place or country. The app has coverage in more than 10,000 cities in 8+ countries across the globe and more are being added. Trusted by air quality stations across many countries, the app, Air Visual has maintained its prowess in the air quality and weather information category of apps with more than 5M installs.
Tokyo Voice Column
TOKYO NOTICE BOARD TNB Throwback: SEPTEMBER 13. 2019Celebrating Japan’s Autumnal Equinox by Jacqueline C. Sarmiento
In Japanese traditions, Autumnal Equinox is observed on the 22nd or 23rd of September, and is known as “Shubun No Hi”. It is a public National Holiday in Japan.
It is a great holiday that marks the arrival of fall season and celebrates the memories of relatives. Considering the climate in Autimnal Equinox Day in Japan which is generally pleasant, Japanese people have so many ways to celebrate the holiday feast. It allows them to spend time honoring their ancestors, reunite with their families before winter arrives and have fun and leisure.
Many Japanese people pay respect and visits gravestone of their deceased family members. They clean the plot, bring flowers and some offers incense and food. Some people also visits temple festivals to donate and leave food for the monks. "shukikoreisai" (imperial ceremony of ancestor worship of the autumnal equinox) held in the Japanese Imperial Court
Buddhism was introduced into Japan in the middle of the 6th century. There are now over seventy-seven thousand Buddhist temples and about eighty-one thousand Shinto shrines throughout Japan. Tokyo has about 2900 temples, sand about 1500 shrines to offer beautiful and interesting architecture.
The Autumnal Equinox holiday is perfect to travel, relax, unwind and have a short vacation.
日本では、９月２２日、あるいは２３日の秋分日を『秋分の日』として祝う習慣がある。そしてその日は日本の国民の祝日だ。
秋の訪れを示す祝日は、先祖供養の日でもある。秋分の日の天候は、おおむね良好で、さまざまな行事が行われる。冬の到来前に家族みんなが集い、祖先に敬い楽しく過ごす日である。
日本人の多くが、先祖を供養し、親族の墓前を訪ずれる。墓を掃除し、花を飾り、線香をたき、好物を供える。仏教寺院の彼岸会に出席し、お布施や供え物を捧げる。宮中では秋季皇霊祭が行われる。
仏教は６世紀半ばに日本に伝わった。現在、日本には７７０００以上の仏教寺院と約８１０００の神社が存在する。東京には、約２９００の寺と約１５００神社があり、その建築様式は美しく興味深い。
秋分の日は外出したり、リラックスしたり、くつろいだぐには最適だ。あるいは、小旅行に出かけるのもいい。
MUSEUM -What's Going on?-
TOKYO NOTICE BOARD SEPTEMBER 17. 2021Collecting Van Gogh: Helene Kro¨ller-Mu¨ller’s Passion for Vincent’s Art Enamored by Vincent van Gogh (1853-1890), Helene Kro¨ller-Mu¨ller (1869-1939) came to own the world’s largest private collection of the artist’s work. For some twenty years, from 1908 when Van Gogh’s reputation was taking off, she amassed no fewer than 90 paintings and more than 180 works on paper along with her husband, mining and shipping tycoon Anton Kro¨ller. Discovering a profound spirituality in the art of Van Gogh, Helene devoted herself to founding art museums so as to share her passion with as many people as possible. Foreseeing her establishment of an art museum, Helene Kro¨ller-Mu¨ller chose high quality works and systematically collected paintings spanning Van Gogh’s early to late periods. Viewers will enjoy tracing Van Gogh’s development from his earliest sketches to the masterworks of his final year. |
Vincent van Gogh, The Yellow House (The Street), |
Through Helene’s extraordinary collection, this exhibition will trace the development of modern painting with a focus on Van Gogh. Featured will be 28 paintings and 20 drawings by Van Gogh, along with 20 paintings by Jean-Francois Millet, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Georges Seurat, Odilon Redon, and Piet Mondrian, all from the Kro¨ller-Mu¨ller Museum. The exhibition will also survey the dramatic growth of Van Gogh’s popularity and reputation since the early 20th century through four paintings from the Van Gogh Museum, including The Yellow House (The Street). |
Period: September 18 (Sat) － December 12 (Sun), 2021
Venue: Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum
Closed: Mondays (except 9/20, 11/8, 11/22 & 11/29) and 9/21
Hours: 09:30 - 17:30 (last admission 30 minutes before closing)
General: ￥2,000 / College students: ￥1,300 / Seniors 65+: ￥1,200 *Reservation recommended.
For more information, please visit
Masterpieces of the Pola Museum of Art LA DOUCE FRANCE Encounter Masterpiece Paintings at Shibuya, Ranging from Monet and Renoir to Matisse and Chagall |
Pierre Auguste Renoir, |
Three themes pervade the exhibition: the fashionable female image serving as a snapshot of the times; the city of Paris that underwent significant changes through modernization; and finally journeys, with scenic views encountered by the painters on their travels, and a trip to their key locations, such as southern France, related to art creation. These themes will highlight the aesthetic that transcended age and style as it was transmitted through these painters in France. |
Period: September 18 (Sat) - November 23 (Tue), 2021
Venue: Bunkamura THE MUSEUM
Hours: 10:00 - 18:00 / - 21:00 on Fridays and Saturdays (last admission 30 minutes before? closing)
Closed: 9/28 & 10/26
Admission: Admission: Adults: ￥1,700 / University, College and High School Students: ￥1,000 / Junior high School and Elementary School Students: ￥700
For more information, please visit
Strange but True
TOKYO NOTICE BOARD SEPTEMBER 17. 2021Welcome Back ABBA!
ABBA has delighted fans with the announcement of their long-awaited hologram tour. Tweeting from their ABBA Voyage account, the group said: London. Join us. abbavoyage.com 02.09.21." According to reports, a succession of shows are set to take place in a purpose-built, 3,000-capacity arena in London. The state-of-the-art concert will feature all four members of the greatest pop group of all time, Agnetha Faltskog, Bjorn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson and Anni-Frid Lyngstad, performing as holograms of their younger selves, according to The Sun. If you've seen the holograms of Tupac and Michael Jackson, you might have been blown away by the amazing technology. In the case of ABBA, it will take fans back to the pop group's heyday － and will no doubt be an incredible experience.
Best Pals!
Heartwarming footage of two dogs and a pair of dumpling-sized guinea pigs' forming an unusual bond over a bowl of salad has taken over the internet. Eight-year-old Wilbur the Basset Hound and his two guinea pig sisters, Market Price and Rumpadump, have been happily sharing lettuce for the past four years, but they didn’t expect another canine friend, Shrimp, would soon join the odd snack party. The jolly rescue dog quickly integrated into the family and joined the rest for regularly healthy treats, despite being a creature of very different size to the guinea pigs － she weighs 75 pounds. Sweet Shrimp has learned to wait for her little counterparts to eat first, despite her habits of gobbling food up while living on the streets.
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
