Steve's sandbox

Tag: Japan

  • 最近、日本では　Recently in Japan: Megan Gouw, Japan – September 2018

    Striking a pose in one of the rooms at TeamLab. This room was filled with large balloon like balls which changed colour.

    最近、この夏に日本で流行っているところに行ってみた。TeamLabというイルミネーションの美術館みたいなところだった。色な部屋で、水とか、鏡とか、ボールなどを使って、光の美しさを紹介した。それで、面白くて、きれいな写真を撮れる場所だから、インスタで人気がある。ところで、イルミネーションは日本ではいつもすごく人気があるのに対して、スコットランドではイルミネーションはクリスマスのときしか見えない気がする。確かに、TeamLab みたいなところが前に見ったことない。少し高くても、すごく混んでいた。それでも、友達と遊んだり、写真を撮ったりして、楽しかった！

    The floor of this room was made of mirrors,which was slightly disorientating. Also, luckily they lent out pairs of shorts, so those of us who came in skirts wouldn’t accidentally flash everyone.

    そういえば、学校に行ったり、家族と遊んだり、友達と出かけたり、日本の生活に慣れた。だが、まだ日本の天気に慣れてない。最近、日本の天気はやばすぎて、暑いやら、台風が来るやら地震が起こるやら大変だ。

    一週間前、学校から家に帰るときに、ちょっと怖いことがあった。台風のせいで電車が止まった。電車を乗らないで、どうやって帰れるのかわからなくて、1時間以上ホームで待っていた。大変なことに、エアコンがつけていても、信じられないぐらい暑くて、まるでサウナにいるかのようだった。駅員のアナウンスは謝るばかり言っていて、いつまで止まっているのかわからなかったから、心配していた。そして、待つのを諦めて、家まで歩こうと思っていた時にやっと電車来て、無事に帰れた。

    さりとて、東京にいてよかったと思う。東京より大阪の方が悪い影響をうけたそうだ。または、北海道にも自然の災害があった。震度6.7の地震が起こって、電池などがなくなって、電車とかバスとか止まって、困っているらしい。前回にあった家族の友達が北海道にいるうちに地震が起こって、連絡できなくて、みんなが心配していた。よかったことに、全然大丈夫で、携帯が電池なくて、充電もできなくて連絡できなかっただけだって。こういう軽軽で、人生の脆弱性を感じる。この際に、影響された人に、心よりお悔やみ申し上げる。

    This room was filled with water, to about knee depth, and images were projected on to the surface, including koi, flowers and random flashes. The walls were mirrors, so the room felt as if it never ended.

    ENGLISH:

    Recently, I went to a place that has been trending in Japan. TeamLab. It was similar to an art gallery, with all the exhibits being illuminations. In the various rooms, water, mirrors and balls were used to showcase the beauty of light. Because you can take eye-catching and beautiful photos there, it is popular on Instagram. However, while these kind of illumination places are always popular in Japan, I feel like you only ever see illuminations at Christmas time in Scotland. I have certainly never seen somewhere like TeamLab before. Even though it was a little expensive, it was still super crowded. But even so, I had a really good time taking photos and enjoying the exhibits with my friend.

    Speaking of which, I have settled into my life in Japan well, going to school, hanging out with the family, going out with my friends. But I am still not used to the Japanese weather. Recently, the weather here has been insane, with the heat and the Typhoons.

    One week ago, when I was coming home after school, a slightly scary thing happened. The train stopped because of the typhoon. I didn’t know any other way to go home, without using the train, so I just waited on the platform for over an hour. To make matters worse, while there was air conditioning at the station, it was still so hot it felt like I was standing in a Sauna. The station workers announcements just kept apologizing for the delay, so I didn’t know how long the trains would be stopped for, which worried me. Just as I was about to give up on waiting, and just walk home, a train finally came, and I managed to get home safely.

    This room had a dome like ceiling, and a mirror floor, with flowers constantly being projected around the dome. the effect were very cool, but also made me feel a little seasick.

    Having said that, I am glad I was in Tokyo. It seems like Osaka was worse affected by the Typhoon, and Hokkaido also had a natural disaster. An earthquake of 6.7 magnitude occurred, causing various issues including the electricity cutting out, buses and trains etc. stopping. A friend of my host family who I met last time I was in Japan, was in Hokkaido when the earthquake happened, and we couldn’t get in touch with her, so we were all worried. However luckily she was fine, it was just that her phone had died and she couldn’t charge it. Through these kind of experiences I notice the vulnerability of life. At this time, I would like to offer my sincere condolences to anyone affected by the earthquake.

  • Megan Gouw: TeamLab, Japan – September 2018

    The floor of this room was made of mirrors,which was slightly disorientating. Also, luckily they lent out pairs of shorts, so those of us who came in skirts wouldn’t accidentally flash everyone.

    最近、この夏に日本で流行っているところに行ってみた。TeamLabというイルミネーションの美術館みたいなところだった。色な部屋で、水とか、鏡とか、ボールなどを使って、光の美しさを紹介した。それで、面白くて、きれいな写真を撮れる場所だから、インスタで人気がある。ところで、イルミネーションは日本ではいつもすごく人気があるのに対して、スコットランドではイルミネーションはクリスマスのときしか見えない気がする。確かに、TeamLab みたいなところが前に見ったことない。少し高くても、すごく混んでいた。それでも、友達と遊んだり、写真を撮ったりして、楽しかった！

    そういえば、学校に行ったり、家族と遊んだり、友達と出かけたり、日本の生活に慣れた。だが、まだ日本の天気に慣れてない。最近、日本の天気はやばすぎて、暑いやら、台風が来るやら地震が起こるやら大変だ。

    一週間前、学校から家に帰るときに、ちょっと怖いことがあった。台風のせいで電車が止まった。電車を乗らないで、どうやって帰れるのかわからなくて、1時間以上ホームで待っていた。大変なことに、エアコンがつけていても、信じられないぐらい暑くて、まるでサウナにいるかのようだった。駅員のアナウンスは謝るばかり言っていて、いつまで止まっているのかわからなかったから、心配していた。そして、待つのを諦めて、家まで歩こうと思っていた時にやっと電車来て、無事に帰れた。

    さりとて、東京にいてよかったと思う。東京より大阪の方が悪い影響をうけたそうだ。または、北海道にも自然の災害があった。震度6.7の地震が起こって、電池などがなくなって、電車とかバスとか止まって、困っているらしい。前回にあった家族の友達が北海道にいるうちに地震が起こって、連絡できなくて、みんなが心配していた。よかったことに、全然大丈夫で、携帯が電池なくて、充電もできなくて連絡できなかっただけだって。こういう軽軽で、人生の脆弱性を感じる。この際に、影響された人に、心よりお悔やみ申し上げる。

    This room had a dome like ceiling, and a mirror floor, with flowers constantly being projected around the dome. the effect were very cool, but also made me feel a little seasick.

    ENGLISH:

    Recently, I went to a place that has been trending in Japan. TeamLab. It was similar to an art gallery, with all the exhibits being illuminations. In the various rooms, water, mirrors and balls were used to showcase the beauty of light. Because you can take eye-catching and beautiful photos there, it is popular on Instagram. However, while these kind of illumination places are always popular in Japan, I feel like you only ever see illuminations at Christmas time in Scotland. I have certainly never seen somewhere like TeamLab before. Even though it was a little expensive, it was still super crowded. But even so, I had a really good time taking photos and enjoying the exhibits with my friend.

    Striking a pose in one of the rooms at TeamLab. This room was filled with large balloon like balls which changed colour.

    Speaking of which, I have settled into my life in Japan well, going to school, hanging out with the family, going out with my friends. But I am still not used to the Japanese weather. Recently, the weather here has been insane, with the heat and the Typhoons.

    One week ago, when I was coming home after school, a slightly scary thing happened. The train stopped because of the typhoon. I didn’t know any other way to go home, without using the train, so I just waited on the platform for over an hour. To make matters worse, while there was air conditioning at the station, it was still so hot it felt like I was standing in a Sauna. The station workers announcements just kept apologizing for the delay, so I didn’t know how long the trains would be stopped for, which worried me. Just as I was about to give up on waiting, and just walk home, a train finally came, and I managed to get home safely.

    A photo I took of my friend in TeamLab. This room was filled with strings of lights that were constantly changing.

    Having said that, I am glad I was in Tokyo. It seems like Osaka was worse affected by the Typhoon, and Hokkaido also had a natural disaster. An earthquake of 6.7 magnitude occurred, causing various issues including the electricity cutting out, buses and trains etc. stopping. A friend of my host family who I met last time I was in Japan, was in Hokkaido when the earthquake happened, and we couldn’t get in touch with her, so we were all worried. However luckily she was fine, it was just that her phone had died and she couldn’t charge it. Through these kind of experiences I notice the vulnerability of life. At this time, I would like to offer my sincere condolences to anyone affected by the earthquake.

  • School Trip: Megan Gouw, Japan

    Summer break is officially over, and before classes start again my school organised an outing to a park near Tokyo bay. We were very lucky with the weather, as a typhoon hit Tokyo just the night before, but we were blessed with sun for our trip.

    Sun reflecting of a skyscraper, taken in the Hamarikyu gardens, Tokyo

    While the purpose of the trip was to see the 紅葉 or autumn leaves, it was still a wee bit too early and the leaves had yet to start changing colour. However, the park was still very beautiful and was well worth visiting.

    It was a great example of one of my favourite things about Tokyo, the juxtaposition of old and new. The Hamarikyu gardens used to be private gardens and duck hunting grounds for a feudal lord, the Tokugawa shogunate also had a considerable amount of influence over the gardens, before they were handed over to the city of Tokyo, and this past can still be seen the gardens today. Which contrasts starkly with the towering skyscrapers of modern day Tokyo. To the point that it seems like the two have been photoshopped together.

    View along the waterside path at the Hamarikyu gardens, with Tokyo’s skyscrapers in the background

    夏休みが終わって、授業が始まる前に、学校と一緒に浜離宮恩賜庭園という公園に行ってきました。ラッキーなことに、台風が前の日に来て、天気がすごくよかったです。紅葉を見に行ったけど、まだ少し早くて、木の葉の色はまだ変わりませんでした。それでも、行ってよかったと思います。浜離宮恩賜庭園は長い歴史があって、自然の美しさを紹介して、現在の高い建物とコントラストして面白かったです。

  • 日本に来て1週間がたった Megan Gouw – Japan, August 2018

    死ぬほど暑くて、セミうるさくて、やっぱり日本の夏だね。

    8月4日、9時ごろ、やっと日本に着いた。今、ホストファミリーと一緒に住んでいる。家族5人で、パパとママ、と二人子供（3歳男の子と8歳女の子）とパパのおばあさんがいる。この家に住んでいるのが好きで、みんな優しいし、毎日美味しいご飯をもらうし、子供たちと遊ぶのが楽しいし。子供たちはすっごくかわいい！よく、「遊ぼうよ、、メーガン」って言われて、断れない。または、日本人の家族と住むから、毎日毎日、いつも日本語を使わないとダメ。なので、日本語のレベルは絶対に上達すると思う。

    The torii gate at the Yoyogi entrance of Meiji-jingu. Was lucky to go on a quiet day with not so many tourists.

    ここでは、今はお盆だ。お盆と言うのは、日本で夏に行う仏教の行事。8月１３日から16日まで（または7月）、亡くなった人や先祖の霊をまつる行事んだ。それで、今日（8月12日）お盆の準備するために、ホストファミリーと一緒にお寺に行って、家族の墓を掃除して、花を置いた。一人ひとり、お線香を墓において、水をかけて、手を合わせた。これはホームステイしていない限り、経験できない日本の文化だと思う。すごく面白かった。（申し訳ないが、写真を撮るのは失礼かなと思ったから、このイベントに関する写真はない。）

     

    ENGLISH:

    A week has passed since I arrived in Japan

    It’s so hot I feel like I could die, the cicadas are crying, without a doubt it’s summer in Japan.

    The sunset a few days ago, the sky was amazingly beautiful and contrasted nicely with Tokyo’s skyscrapers.

    Around 9am, August 4rth, I finally arrived in Japan. I am living with a host family while I am here, there are five family members; the father, mother, two small children (a 3 year old boy, and an 8 year old girl) and the fathers grandmother as well. I really like living here as everyone is super nice, I get delicious Japanese food made for me every day, and playing with the kids is super fun. They are so cute! They are always asking me to go play with them, and I can’t ever refuse. Also because I am living with Japanese people I have to use Japanese all the time, every day, so I am sure my Japanese will improve massively while I am here.

    This was one of the meals my host family made for me. Including karaage, sashimi, takenoko rice and soup.

    Here it is currently Obon. Obon is a Japanese Buddhist event held in the summer to worship and remember ancestors and people who have died. Usually from August 13~16, (but is also held in July in some areas). So in preparation for Obon, on Sunday 12th August, I went with my host family to a nearby temple and washed the family grave. And placed some flowers. Then one by one we put some burning incense on the tomb, poured some water over it, and put our hands together (like praying). I feel like this is an aspect of Japanese culture I could only experience because I am staying with a Japanese family, and it was a really interesting experience. (However, as I thought it might be disrespectful, I did not take any photos of this.)

  • Japanese bar food – Megan Gouw

    I went out for some drinks with my friends, and in Japan it is customary to eat while drinking. One of the popular dishes to eat while drinking is 馬刺 (Basashi), or raw horse meat. Coming from Scotland where we don’t normally eat horse meat, let alone raw meat, this seems strange. So naturally I had to try it. And it was delicious, I can understand why it is popular here. It was a little like a high quality rare steak. So, if you can put your prejudices against it aside, I would really recommend trying it at least once.

    Horse Sashimi

    友達と、馬刺が人気な居酒屋に行きました。スコットランドで馬肉は食べないので、馬刺はちょっと変だと思われています。しかし、食べてみたら、すっごく美味しかったです。だから、日本に来るなら、おすすめです。

  • A big thank you to the John Speak Language Trust! Samantha Fernandes – Japan

    I would like to say a big thank you to the John Speak Language Trust for supporting language students from England. As English is a worldwide lingua franca, often the importance of supporting careers in foreign languages is overlooked.

    It is wonderful to know that there are organisations such as the John Speak Language Trust out there, as by helping individual language students, the organisation is also reaching out to help foreign countries.

    Japan is still developing its openness to foreign culture. The majority of the English signs and adverts in Japan use incorrect English, however, Japan loves foreigners and tries hard to welcome them. On the other side of the matter, England knows very little about the wonders of Japan and despite trying to introduce some aspects of Japanese culture, the Japanese culture which is seen by England is still far off from the real thing.

     

     

    After an internship with ASOBISYSTEM, I was offered a job as a translator.  As ASOBISYSTEM aims to share Japanese culture with the rest of the world, I am happy that I play a part in introducing Japan to foreign countries, especially England. Hopefully in the future, more British people will take a liking to Japanese culture and vice-versa. As I have yet to receive money from ASOBISYSTEM for work, the support of the John Speak Trust meant that I could still continue this translation work and not worry about a shortage of money before getting paid. I am happy that I can still continue with the translation work, which helps to strengthen the relationship between foreigners and their love of Japan.

     

    Looking back on my time in Japan

    A delicious plate of sushi!

    There are many things that I will miss from Japan, such as the wonderful taste of chewy takoyaki (a ball of wheat flour filled with octopus and topped with sauces), piping-hot ramen during the winter, fresh raw fish, and Tsukemen (cold noodles to dip in a bowl of cold dipping soup) that I ate during the summer. However, it’s not all about the food. As I come from an Asian background, I felt like there were many aspects of Japan which I found quite homely, such as the obsession with rice, fish and seasonings. (…maybe it is all about the food…)

    I will miss my Japanese habits of having a nap on the train and in restaurants, and topping every single meal with a raw egg and an unhealthy amount of soy sauce!

    My a capella group

    I have many beautiful memories of taking many silly purikura photographs with my friends,  performing in the a capella club at university, climbing mountains (where the elderly were not out of breath but I was), going to Izakaya (Japanese-style pubs), Japanese karaoke and sightseeing!

    Exploring Tokyo Disney Sea with two of my Japanese friends

    Once again, I am very grateful to the John Speak trust! I wouldn’t have been able to immerse myself in the county I love if it wasn’t for all the help and support I received.

    Thank you.

  • Coming Home: Andy Newton, Japan – July 2016

    あいにく、試験が済んで、僕の留学年間が終わっていて、スタッフを包んで、帰国しなければなりません。再来週の翌週に帰国の国際便が予約されました。

    もちろん、友達や家族に会いたいし、パブへ飲みに行きたいし、美味しい食べ物を食べたいですが、実は母国のイギリスにまだ帰りたくないです。日本に住んでいる間、僕の留学年間を楽しく過ごして、日本語レベルをだいぶん上達しました。
    残念ですが、猛勉強のせいで機会をたくさん逃がしてしまいました。たまにはお酒にでも酔ってはじけて日頃の鬱憤晴らしたほうがいいんじゃないと忘れなく。

    日本人の先生や友達や日本での生活に別れをつげたくないです。東京からロンドンまでの国際便は全然楽しみにしていません。ひどいでしょう。新年度のモスクワでの留学年間を楽しむように頑張ります。来週と再来週に、京都と東京に行って、お土産を買って、卒業式に福岡へ帰ります。日本、リベンジします。

    My year in Japan is coming to a close, exams are finishing up and it is time to pack up my things and return home. My flight home is in about three weeks’ time and I’m not looking forward to it at all. Other than seeing my friends and family, eating some good food and going to the pub, I am not looking forward to having to return home.

    I’ve really enjoyed my time here in Japan and feel I have learnt a lot about myself and considerably improved my level of Japanese. I feel there are many opportunities I have unfortunately let slip because of studying too much, and have learnt the lesson of not forgetting to take a break once in a while, grab a beer and remember to live life. At the moment, I don’t feel ready to say goodbye to my Japanese friends and teachers I have met here. Definitely not looking forward to the savage flight home from Tokyo to London, and as I won’t have the excitement-factor I did on the way here, I can tell it’s going to be knackering.

    However, I do feel I have learnt from my mistakes from this year and will try my best to make the most of my second year abroad next year in Moscow.I will spend my last few weeks visiting Kyoto and Tokyo, buying some souvenirs, then return to Fukuoka for my graduation ceremony and the last of my packing.

    Japan, I will see you again.

  • Dojo: Andy Newton, – Japan, May 2016

    おおほりこえんの道場にはじめてやりに行きました。来日以来、所属しようと思っていましたが、毎週、行けるかどうか知りませんでしたから、スタートを繰り延べリました。大学のクラスが始まった後（二週間ぐらい）に道場に所属し始めようと思っていましたが、宿題や作文が沢山いただきましたから、だめでした。それでは、今週、所属し始めました。おおほりこえんに着いたとき、道場を見つけられなかったので慌てました。AXIS道場があると思ったところは実、法律事務所のAXIAでした。

    実はAXIS道場とAXIA法律事務所の間の距離はあまり長くないので、クラスに間に合いました。運よく、クラスが始まる前に道場を見つけました。その日に道場の先生はいらっしゃいませんでしたが、他の柔術家は来ました。彼の名前は肉団子さんです。彼は青帯（黒帯から3級）がある柔術家で、１００ｋｇぐらいですから、フリースパーリングの毎回、彼は勝ちました。先生がいらしゃいませんでしたから、道場の空気はとっても気安かったです。とても楽しいですよ。明日、また行きます。

     

    Me and meatball-san

    ENGLISH:

    I started my first day of jujitsu yesterday at a dojo in Ohorikoen, not too far from the centre of town in Fukuoka. I had thought about joining for a long time, pretty much since I arrived in Japan but I had put it off because I wanted to make sure I had enough time to commit fully. I originally planned to join a few weeks after my classes at university began so I had a taste of how intense the lessons were before I started at the dojo. The lessons gradually became more and more intense and homework piled up so I ended up not joining until only this week.

    I arrived in a bit of a fluster as the place where I thought the dojo (named Axis) is, actually turned out to be a law firm named Axia. By a strange stroke of luck, they are actually located very close to each-other so I found the real Axis dojo in relatively short time. The day I chose to go was a bit strange in that the sensei of the dojo wasn’t there. Instead I was shown around by a student of the dojo, a real friendly, nice guy. His (nick)name is Nikudango, which translates to ‘meatball’. We went in and got fitted up in a gi, which was really thick and comfy.

    Nikudango showed me the ropes and some basic moves for their style taught at the dojo. Shortly after that we did some free ground-fighting which was really great fun and one of the best work-outs I know. Nikudango is a blue belt in jujitsu (3 away from black) and he weighs around 100kg so needless to say , he beat me every time.  About 20 minutes after that, two other students came but because the sensei wasn’t there, it was very relaxed and we were just ground-fighting most of the lesson. I look forward to going back for another ass-whooping tomorrow.

    Jujitsu is a modern form of the traditional Japanese martial art; which simply described is:

    • A system of defensive techniques, which use an attacker’s momentum against them
    • Traditionally based – with spectacular traditional throws
    • Locks, strikes and throws adapted for modern day contexts

    Frequently asked questions about Jujitsu:  http://bit.ly/1TqEGjY

     

  • Internship with ASOBISYSTEM – Samantha Fernandes, Japan – February 2016

    アソビシステムのインターン

    今月はアソビシステムという会社でインターンを始まった。この会社は、きゃりーぱみゅぱみゅを中心に、モデル・アルティスト・イベントなどを所有している会社である。アソビシステムは、MOSHI MOSHI NIPPONとHARAJUKU KAWAII!! STYLEというサイトも所有している。

    きゃりーぱみゅぱみゅのASOBINITEというのコンサート

    私の東京外大に出会った友だちのおかげで、アソビシステムのインターンをもらった。友だちはアソビシステムのサイトの日本語で書いてある記事を英訳している作業である。私のインターンが始まった前に、アソビステムのサイトの管理者にきゃりーぱみゅぱみゅの誕生日のためのライブにゲストとして誘われてくれた。きゃりーぱみゅぱみゅは大人気な有名なアルティストで、きゃりーぱみゅぱみゅの大ファンとして、私は今までに信じられない。

    私のインターンは、家で作業にすることがあるが、会社に行くの方が自分の日本語能力役に立ち、会社の好適な所在地が好きである。会社は原宿の有名なファッションのある「竹下通り」を歩いて行って、会社のMOSHI MOSHI BOXという観光者のため、MOSHI MOSHI NIPPONのファンのためのビルを過ごして、それから5分歩くと会社に着く。初めて行った時は、友だちと一緒に行き、会社員に会うのをとても緊張していた。

    私は水野さんというサイトの管理をしている会社員に会い、インターンをもらった。すぐに水野さんから記事をもらい、私は英訳し、ツイッター・FACEBOOKに投稿する。水野さんがくれる記事にいつも興味がある。２つの私が翻訳した記事はコチラ：

    http://www.moshimoshi-nippon.jp/10687
    http://www.moshimoshi-nippon.jp/10717

    私が翻訳する記事はアルティストに関するだけではなく、日本であるイベント・店・フェスなどに関する記事を翻訳したこともある。私は新しいイベントに関する記事を翻訳するたびに、イベントが東京で開催したら、いつも行く計画を立つ。

    日本の場所では、アソビシステムの広告を見、オンラインでアソビシステムのモデル・アルティストがいる広告を見、私が翻訳した記事に関する実際にある事件を気づくたびに、嬉しくなる。

    私はお金をもらわなくても、作業は大好きのだから、水野さんに聞かれたら、休みの日でも記事を翻訳するのが好きである。私はゲスの極み・きゃりーぱみゅぱみゅなどの大好きなアルティストに関する記事をもらい、アルティスト・会社・ビジネスなどを手伝いすることができるだけではなく、本人を困っている外国人とのつなげになり、それは私の喜びである。

    日本文化に出会いのためには、ぜひ下記のアソビシステムのリンクをチェクしてみてね！！

    home


    http://asbs.jp/english/
    http://www.moshimoshi-nippon.jp/

     

    ENGLISH TRANSLATION:

    I started my internship with ASOBISYSTEM this month. This company owns and manages famous artists, models, events and much more. One of the most famous artists owned ASOBISYSTEM is Kyary Pamyu Pamyu. ASOBISYSTEM also owns the websites MOSHI MOSHI NIPPON and HARAJUKU KAWAII!! STYLE.

    It was all thanks to one of my close friends, whom I had met at TUFS, that I got this internship because he works at the company as a translator for the websites. Before beginning the internship, the website manager of ASOBISYSTEM invited my friend and I to attend the Birthday performance of Kyary Pmayu Pamyu as guests! As a big fans of Kyary Pmayu Pamyu, even now we can’t believe it.

    For my internship, I sometimes work from my dorm but I feel that going into the office to do work helps my Japanese more. Furthermore, to reach the company office, I walk down one of the most famous fashion and culture rich streets in Harajuku, Japan. From the end of this street, I pass MOSHI MOSHI BOX, which is a building for tourists and fans of MOSHI MOSHI NIPPON. From this building, ASOBISYSTEM’s office is just a short 5 minute walk away. I really enjoy the walk to work and the location of the office, which is another reason I prefer working in the office.

    Guest tickets to Kyary Pamyu Pamyu’s live Birthday performance at ASOBINITE

    The first time I went to the office, I was really grateful that I could go with my friend who started working there long before I joined the company, but I was still really nervous to meet the company employee who would soon become my new boss.

    I met the website manager for ASOBISYSTEM websites, Mizuno. After being accepted for the internship, she started me at work straight away; she gives me articles in Japanese and I translate them, post them onto the appropriate website then use the company’s twitter and Facebook accounts to announce the articles to the public. I always enjoy the articles that Mizuno gives me. Here are the links to two articles I have translated:

    http://www.moshimoshi-nippon.jp/10687
    http://www.moshimoshi-nippon.jp/10717

    The articles I translate are not only about artists, but events held in Japan, shops, festivals and much more. Every single time I translate an article about an upcoming event, I always make plans to check out the event myself!

    Whenever I see ASOBISYSTEM adverts around Japan or adverts online featuring ASOBISYSTEM models or artists, or even when I see events in real life after translating articles about them, I feel awesome!

    Even though I don’t get paid for the articles I translate, if Mizuno asks me to translate articles even on my days off, I always accept them and enjoy them. When I get articles about my favourite popular bands such as Gesu no Kiwami Otome or Kyary Pamyu Pamyu, I feel like I am not only helping the company and the artists to find their fans, but also to help make the link between foreigners who are in Japan and their favourite Japanese idols.

    Please follow the links below about ASOBISYSTEM and their websites to learn more about Japanese culture!

    http://asobisystem.com/
    http://asbs.jp/english/

    http://www.moshimoshi-nippon.jp/

  • Uni Life: Andy Newton – Japan, January 2016

    この作文の目的はリーズ大学と九州大学の違いを同列に論じます。
    授業の出席に関して、私の母校のリーズ大学では、出席の必要がある時に寝坊やとんでもない二日酔いで少々無断欠席をしても問題が無いである。時々遅刻してしまったり、サボってしまったら、困らないであろう。就学義務が好きじゃなかったので、ついリーズで勉強の間に、サボってしまったものである 
    生憎、逆に、九州大学では、病気だの急性心筋梗塞だのを患ったりする時でも出席を重視されるである。

    リーズ大学は入学試験以降クラス分けはありません。資格のアェーレベルがない限り、皆さんが同級授業で一生に勉強するである。
    一方で九大は、例えば日本語や漢字に関して、七つの級に分かれます。学生の能力によってクラスを見分けることが、生徒のやる気を引き出すための良い方法と考えられます。そのため、先生の数が多ければ多い程、授業が沢山に分けがなされるのではないかと思います。

    次に、通学の状態として、リーズ大学では、丘陵の麓の家に住んでいたため、毎日、急な坂のような丘陵を登る必要があってしまったである。
    片や日本にいる間、構内で私が学生寮の賃貸している部屋から教室迄の距離は目と鼻の先です。七分位だけかかりますから、登校は朝飯前である。学校まで気軽に歩いて行けます。

    リーズ大学は歴史的でおまけに1904年によって開通されましたから、古い図書館や教会や赤煉瓦で造られた建物でございます。


    一方で、九州大学は嘗て旧帝国大学の一つであったが、私が現在授業を受けている伊都キャンパスは近代的である。
    満足度に於かれましては、リーズで勉強しいる間、書斎に籠もっても、初年度を好んでいました。行き着いたとき、他の新入生に初めて会い、両親から独立し、自分で育英資金を遣いたいことができ、自分のことを自分で決められ、責任を持たせましたから、満足が高かったである。
    勿論、一年で初級から中級迄日本語を習うのは与し易しくなかったである。更にも言わず、失敗の虞も高かったである。人格形成に役立つ体験と悪虐無道な勉強を通って、蛍雪の功は留学する機会であった。

    ENGLISH TRANSLATION:

    In terms of attendance, attending is mandatory in Leeds but if you sometimes oversleep, have a hangover or just forget to go to class, you probably won’t have a problem. During my first year I didn’t like the compulsory attendance so unfortunately I missed quite a few classes. Unfortunately, staff at Kyushu are really strict and even if you are ill or have a heart attack, attendance is still expected.

    In Leeds there isn’t really an entrance exam so unless you have an A-level in Japanese, everyone studies together in the same class. On the other hand, at Kyushu University kanji and grammar classes are split into seven different classes based on proficiency and willingness to work.
    In terms of the commute to uni, in Leeds I lived at the bottom of a treacherous hill so every day I had to climb this mountain of a hill. However, in Japan, the dorm room I’m renting on campus is a stone’s throw away from my classrooms and takes about seven minutes on foot.
    Leeds is an old/traditional university so has a really old library, a church and many red-brick buildings.

    Kyushu is also an old/imperial university but the campus in which I’m situated is very modern. In regards to satisfaction with uni life, even though I shut myself away in my studies whilst at Leeds, I still enjoyed my first year. When I arrived in Leeds, I met loads of other freshers, had independence away from my parents, could spent my student loan how and when I want and make my own decisions- and I loved it!
    But to get up to A-level standard in Japanese from beginner in one year was very tough, and it goes without saying that the risk of failure was high, but fortunately after the slog, the reward was the opportunity to study abroad. Totally worth it..