Steve's sandbox

Tag: Tokyo

  • Megan Gouw: Valentines Day in Japan, February 2019

    バレンタインデーin日本

    2月といえばバレンタインデーだよね〜
    イギリスでも、アメリカでも、バレンタインデーは2月14日で、恋人とお祝いする日だ（男の人のほうがなんか準備する気がするけど）。日本にもそうだが…どっかで、ハロウィンとクリスマスと同じように、欧米のイベントと変わった。

    日本の2月14日のバレンタインデーは女の子が知っている男の子全員にチョコをあげる日だ。そのチョコはいろんな種類に分けている。本命チョコ、義理チョコ、友チョコ、最近家族チョコでもあるらしい。そして、１ヶ月後、（３月１４日）ホワイトデーという日に男性がチョコをくれた女の子にチョコやプレゼントをあげる。

    8歳の子が手伝ってくれた時

    これは、バレンタインデーを日本に輸入したときのＣＭの影響で、その日は女性が男性にチョコをあげる日と思わられていた。それで、（日本風に考えると）男の人がそれを返す日が必要だから、ホワイトデーが設けた。

    ここで、いろんな種類があるから、あげるときに、ちゃんとどんな意味のチョコを言うべきだと言われている。だから、映画とかドラマでよく告白するために使われている。主人公の女の子が男性リードに本命チョコをあげることで、彼は彼女の気持ち（俺のこと好きだ）がわかるはずだ。これは、実際に起こるかどうかはわからない。でも２月に入ると、チョコの作るためのかわいい道具や材料が増え、高級チョコの売り上げを含めて、バレンタインデーが目立つ。

    私もなんか作ろうと思っていて、１００円ショップでかわいいチョコモールドとチョコを買って、作ってみた。子供たちはすっごく気になって、盛り上がっていたから、ちょっと邪魔していた。でも、可愛いからゆるしてあげた。

    焼肉!

    ホストファミリーと一緒にバレンタインデーに焼肉を食べに行った。焼肉屋さんはアジアっぽいレストランのスタイルだと思う。焼肉屋ではテーブルで炭やガスのバーナーがあって、自分で肉（または魚、野菜など）を焼く。最近、韓国風の焼肉屋が増えつつあるが、スコットランドでこのスタイルのレストランはよく知られていないのが確か。欧米ではレストランに行って、チェフが美味しい料理をしてくれるのは一般的だが、こういうテーブルで料理するスタイルも楽しい。日本では、焼肉屋さんに行くとよく食べ放題や飲み放題にするけど、コース料理や単品もできる。今回はコース料理で、食べ放題よりクオリティがいい肉が出た。量も多くて、すっごく美味しかった。みんな、お腹いっぱくなって、幸せな気分で帰った。

    2 of the cuts of meat we got at the Yakiniku restaurant!

    雪！

    東京では雪があまり降らないが、先週末に少し降った!　その日は、もともと着物を着てみる予定だったが、着物は濡れてはいけないので雪のせいで延期された。それそれでも、私は寒い天気が好きで、特に雪が大好きだから、テンションが上がった。そんなに積もらなかったけど子供たちと一緒に家の前、雪で遊びに行った。小さい雪だるまを作って、雪投げもしてて、超楽しかった。でも、すぐに溶けて、次の日はもうなかった。

     

    Valentine’s day in Japan

    The first thing you think of for february is Valentine’s day right?

    In the UK, America too, Valentine’s day (14th February) is a day to celebrate your significant other (though I get the feeling that the guy usually does more). It’s the same in Japan, except like Halloween and Christmas, it is rather different from the western original.

    On Japanese Valentine’s day, girls give chocolates to every guy they know. These chocolates are divided into multiple different kinds. Including Honmei choco which is given to boyfriends or the guy a girl has a crush on, giri choco for those she is obligated to give chocolate to, tomo choco given to friends, and recently it seems even family choco. Then one month later, 14th March, called white day here, the guys return the favour to all the girls they received chocolate from.

    This seems to be due to an comercial when Valentine’s day was first being introduced to Japan, that it was perceived as a day when women give chocolate to men. then , in keeping with Japanese culture, a day for guys to return that was necessary, so white day was created.

    Because there are lots of different meanings behind the chocolate here, it is said that you should state what kind of chocolate it is when giving it. Thus it is often used in dramas and films, in order to confess feelings to someone (and ask them out). The main female character will give chocolate to the male lead, and he will then understand her feelings (ie, she fancies him). However, I am not sure if anyone actually does this in real life. At very least, around the start of February expensive chocolates and cute tools and ingredients for making chocolates are everywhere.

    I wanted to try making something, so I got a cute mold and some chocolate from the 100 yen shop, and had a shot at it. The kids were really interested, and got really excited about it, so got in the way a little. But I forgave them because they are cute.

    Yakiniku

    On Valentine’s day I went out for dinner with my host family to a yakiniku place. I think Yakiniku restaurants are a very Asian thing. There is either a gas or charcoal burner in middle of the table, and you cook meat (or fish, vegetables, etc) at your table. While Korean style yakiniku restaurants have been increasing, I think this style of restaurant is still fairly unknown in Scotland. While in the west it is normal to go to a restaurant and have a chef cook for you, I this style of cook-it-yourself restaurants are

    At the Yakiniku restaurant, cooking over the coals

    also fun. In Japan it is common to do all-you-can-eat or all-you-can-drink at yakiniku restaurants, there are also course menus and it is possible to just order individual dishes too. This time we got a course menu, and got better quality meat than that of the all-you-can-eat. There was a lot of food, and it was all delicious. We went home happy and full.

    Snow!

    It doesn’t snow much in Tokyo but last weekend it snowed! Originally the plan was to try kimono on that day, but because you can`t get kimono wet (because they are made of silk and get damaged easily) that was postponed due to the snow. But even so, I love cold weather, especially snow so I got really excited. It didn’t stick much but I went out to play in it with the kids in front of the house. We built a small snowman and had a snowball fight, it was really good fun! But it didn’t last long, and was all melted by the next day.

  • 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。

  • 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.

  • Samantha Fernandes – Japan, April 2016

    カナブーン！！！

    2016年4月16日（土）、大きい話題となっているカナブーンは、リリースのアルバム 『Origin』のためのワンバンドツアーが開始された！ワンバンドツアーの一つ目の会場は千葉である幕張メッセ国際展示場であり、ここは私がカナブーンの登場を楽しみしていた！

    世界中に喜びを広がっているカナーンが海外へ発信していく目標でNARUTOという海外で人気のあるアニメソング「シルエト」を作ってくれ、この曲で私が注目した。

    カナブーンの公演の日、撮影禁止ということであり、会場はとても混雑になってきた。演奏の始めは、大きな王冠かぶった太っている犬の風船がみんなの上に浮かべた。公演のホール1回わった。この大犬がモティフとして登場し、これで、演奏が始まった。カナブーンはかっこい服装を着ながら私の大好きな曲を演奏してくれた。新アルバムから出た曲もたくさん出た。

    公演が少し遅く始めてしまったのに、カナブーンが登場したとたん、あっという間に、ファンのみんなから悲鳴が大きく出たり、みんなが一気でカナブーンの方になだれ込んだ！

    カナブーンは、３，4曲を演奏し、そのモティフ犬と話を行ったが、私は全ての言われたことを分からなかった。文の後に「ワン」を付けていた「リッチー」という犬は、バンドメンバーにクイズした！犬との会話の後３，４曲を演奏し、もう一度犬と会話をし、こういう2−3時間の演奏となった。

    リッチー以外、(リッチーの方が大切)犬のモティフを3匹がいた！ミミッチー、モンナシ、カリンツもいた！ファンのみんなは、話を楽しんだり、笑ったり、盛り上がったりした。

    公演が終わるところ、歌手の谷口鮪（たにぐち・まぐろ）がファンに長い感謝のスピーチをし、私が感動した。カナブーンの刺激は本当にみんなの喜びで、ファンのみんなはカナブーンにとても大事だということである。

    アンコールの前は、カナブーンのマンバーがシンプルな服装に着直し、好きなバンドの本人を自分の目で見るのは忘れない経験だと思う。公演は永遠に続くことがほしかったのにやはり公演が終わった。同イベントはグッズが売ってあり、列はとても長かった！私と友だちがカナブーンのシャツとラバーバンドを買った！「KANA-BOONの商品を￥3,000以上ご購入で「Origin」ポースターをプレゼント！」というサインを見かけ、考えずに2枚CDを買ってしまいました。ポースターを長い間に探していた！

    カナブーンは海外から来るファンが大勢ので、私はカナブーンと日本語が分からないファンとつなぐために、カナブーンのサイトと情報を翻訳をしたいと思います！カナブーンもイギリスでツアーすると私は応援しに来る！！

     

    ENGLISH:

    KANA-BOON!!!

    On Saturday 16th April 2016、KANA-BOON, a band which is becoming a big subject in the media, started their one-band tour to celebrate the release of their new album “Origin”. The first venue of the world tour, which I attended, was Makuhari Messe international exhibition hall, which is located in Chiba prefecture.

    KANA-BOON is a band that spreads happiness all over the world. They previously released a song called “Silhouette” as the theme song to an anime that is very popular overseas called “Naruto”. It was through this song that I first noticed the band.

    On the day of the performance, it was announced that any filming or photography is prohibited. At the beginning of the performance, a massive balloon of a fat dog wearing a crown floated over the crowd and circled the performance hall once. The dog made its appearance to the crowd as the mascot figure and with this, the performance begun.

    Wearing very smart clothing, KANA-BOON performed many of my favourite songs and many songs from their new album. The venue became very crowded and even though the performance started slightly past the scheduled time, as the band appeared on stage, the crowd instantly surged forward as one and screamed with excitement.

    KANA-BOON played around 3-4 songs and then started talking to the fat mascot dog whose name was Ricchi and kept adding “wan” (woof) to the end of his sentences. I didn’t understand everything that was said during the conversations between the dog and the band but I still enjoyed the dog’s quizzes with the band members. The performance evening continued with a cycle of 3-4 songs performed by the band followed by a break to talk to the fat dog. This cycle continued for around 2-3 hours until the end of the performance.

    Besides Ricchi, there were 3 (less important) other mascot dogs called Mimicchi, Monnashi and Karintsu. Everybody enjoyed the talks with the dog, laughed along, and bounced passionately to the music.

    When the performance was about to end, the singer Maguro Taniguchi made a long and very moving speech to the fans telling them how grateful the band are for their support. KANA-BOON’s motivation does truly come from seeing the happy faces of their fans. It is also very clear that KANA-BOON considers every single individual fan to be very precious to them.

    Before the encore, the band changed into simple and comfortable clothing. For me, seeing my favourite band live and right in front of my eyes is an experience that I will never forget. As much as I wanted the performance to last forever, it had to end.

    At the same event, incredibly long queues formed where KANA-BOON goods were being sold. My friend and I bought KANA-BOON shirts and wristbands! I noticed a sign which said “Spend over ￥3, 000 and receive an Origin poster”.  Because I had been searching for a KANA-BOON poster for a long time, I bought two CDs and received the poster.

    As KANA-BOON has many overseas fans, I would like to translate their websites to help them connect with their fans. I would also love for them to come touring to England — I would definitely go to support them!

     

  • 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/

  • Samantha Fernandes, Japan – October 2015 monthly report

    日本に来たところです！

    はじめまして、私はサミーです。イギリスのリーズ大学で勉強していて、専攻科目はドイツ語と日本語です。今年は東京外国語大学という大学で勉強しています。東京外大と呼ばれます。この大学に１０月ぐらい勉強します.
    私は１年間ぐらいしか日本語を大学で勉強していませんから、日本に来る前に、ちょっと心配していました。

    私は２０１５年０９月２６日にやっと日本に着きました！成田空港に降り立って、イギリスの文化を後にしました。リーズで勉強していたところで、和花という日本から来た留学生と友達になって、この日には、和花はわざわざ私に迎えるために成田空港に来てくれました。和花は東京外大の学生で、今私のパーソナルチューターになってくれました。毎週何回も和花と遊んだり、日本語を勉強したりします。

    Eating Tonkatsu at a restaurant in Tokyo with Aika.

    日本に着いて、新しいい異文化に出会って、ビックリされたものを様々気づきました。日本に行く前に、日本は安全な国だし、物価も安いし、それに日本の生活はとても便利だそうです。これは自分で経験しました、例えば、コンビニや自動販売機は道りごとにあるようです。値段はイギリスより安くて、売れ物の品質はイギリスよりいいと思います。日本の自動販売機は熱い飲み物や冷たい飲み物などだけではなく、インスタントラーメンやお菓子なども売れます。傘やネクタイも売れる自動販売機もありますが、まだ見つけていません。

    東京外大は小さくて、静かな所にあります。まだ落ち着いていませんから、いろいろな行きたい場所はまだ行っていません。今まで、東京のにぎやかな場所へ友達に会ったり、本物の料理を食べてみたり、カラオケをしに行ったりしまた。例えば、原宿、新宿、吉祥寺という所へ行ったことがあります。 日本の生活を全部経験してすごく楽しいです。日本の文化によく慣れると思います。時々、日本人と話すとき、分からないことがあって、間違えてしまいます。でも、毎日日本語の練習によって、いつかペラペラになれると思います。だから、今から、頑張ります！

    ENGLISH TRANSLATION:

    Hello, my name is Sammy. I study at Leeds University in England and my major is BA German and Japanese. This year, I am studying at Tokyo university of Foreign Studies (Also known as TUFS) for approximately 10 months. Because I have only been studying Japanese for approximately 1 year at university, I felt a bit anxious before coming to Japan.

    26th September 2015 was the day I finally arrived in Japan. After arriving at Narita Airport, I left behind my ties to British culture. When I was studying at Leeds university, I made friends with an exchange student called Aika and on this day, she went out of her way to come meet me at Narita Airport. She is not only a student at TUFS, but she also requested to become my personal tutor. I meet up with Aika numerous times every week to explore Japan and study Japanese.

    Harajuku

    Upon arriving in Japan, I was exposed to a new culture and there were a variety of things that I noticed which surprised me. Before arriving, I heard that Japan was a safe country where you can live cheaper and the lifestyle is very convenient. I experienced this for myself, as I noticed, for example, Convenience stores and vending machines on what seemed like every single street. Not only are the prices here cheaper than that of England, but also the quality of the products are, in my opinion, better than that of Britain. Japanese vending machines sell not only hot and cold drinks, but also instant ramen (Japanese instant noodles) and snacks and sweets. There are also vending machines that sell umbrellas and neckties and other interesting things but I have not come across any of these yet.

    TUFS is located in a small and peaceful part of Tokyo. I haven’t fully settled into Tokyo just yet, so there are many places that I want to visit but have not yet been to. Until now, I have been to livelier parts of Tokyo to meet friends, try authentic Japanese food and to sing at karaoke. Such places are Harajuku, Shinjuku and Kichijyouji. I really enjoy every aspect of living in Japan. I find myself adjusting to Japanese lifestyle quite well. Sometimes I have problems understanding what a Japanese person has said to me and as a result I make mistakes but I am sure that with plenty of everyday practice speaking Japanese then someday my Japanese can become fluent. So this year I will do my best!

  • 2014年一月:Christmas, New Year & Japan

    Struan Rutherford 2015

     

    正如我在上一篇博客上眼，我在北京过圣诞节。寻找传统圣诞午餐的麻烦以后，我们都去西式酒店吃饭 。很多我给打电话的饭馆说他们有传统圣诞午餐可是他们的圣诞午餐跟英国的有很多区别。这并不是抱怨：我认为中国接受，改编圣诞节的办法是非常有意思。我们在酒店享受优秀宴席，包括火鸡，寿司和香槟。由于别致圣诞节的场景，我们想有别致吃饭后的活动所以我们决定去打保龄球。还有，我们在北京过新年。不幸，北京没有焰火。我认为原因是城市的污染，最近的更厉害。当地政府以前说焰火应该被禁止来缩小污染。

    一月十二号，我去日本旅游。我有在东京和京都学习的朋友所以我还想去看他们，我不是单独！除了东京和京都，我去广岛，宫鸟，奈良和日光。日本是非常漂亮培养的国家。虽然日本文化有很多中式地方，日本文化还是独特的。我现在在东京，已经花了差不多一个星期。我去看各种各样名胜古迹，包括东京国家博物馆和常常引起争论的供奉战死者寺庙：靖国神社。回来北京的时候，我盼望在中国庆祝春节。我知道春节大概是我在中国时间的一大亮点！

     

    ENGLISH TRANSLATION

    As I touched upon in my last monthly report, I spent Christmas in Beijing. After some of stress in trying to find a traditional Christmas lunch, we all went to eat in a Western style Beijing hotel. Many other restaurants that I had called said they had a traditional Christmas lunch but this differed greatly from the Christmas lunches I know in Britain. This is certainly not a complaint, rather I found it interesting to once again see how the Chinese have accepted Christmas and adapted it to create their own version of Christmas. At the Western style hotel, we enjoyed a fantastic feast including turkey, sushi and champagne. As it was an usual Christmas setting, we wanted to have an unusual after lunch activity so we decided to go bowling. We also celebrated New Years in Beijing however there were no fireworks in the city. I suspected this was to do with the pollution which has not been too good recently. The local government has said before that fireworks should be limited in order to lower pollution.

    On the 12th January, I went to Japan for two weeks of travelling. I have friends studying in both Tokyo and Kyoto so I also planned to visit them, I am not completely alone! Besides Tokyo and Kyoto, I went to Hiroshima, Miyajima, Nara and Nikko. Japan is a beautiful country with great culture. Although the culture has many Chinese traits and similarities, it remains as a distinct one. I am currently in Tokyo and have spent almost a week here now. I have had the chance to visit all sorts of tourist sites, from the National Museum of Tokyo to the controversial Yasukuni Shrine which honours Japan’s war dead. Upon my return, I look forward to celebrating Spring Festival in China. I know it will be a highlight of my time in China!

     

    Struan Rutherford 2015