Eco-friendly Items from Japan

02 Dec 2009

So what is eco-friendly about Kabuki?
According to Simon, it is first important to understand that Kabuki is an art with a history of cutting away every waste and surplus. Kabuki was originally a theatre performed by the lower class as an entertainment for ordinary people in the Edo period (around 1600). It evolved over the years, creating countless plays and rough rules called YOSHIKIBI, which means beauty of form. How the characters are dressed, how they move, how the music starts, everything is formatted so that the audiences know what is happening without superfluous explanation. Reality is created through surreal expression. This formatted beauty is the underlying concept of the simple stage setting.

01 Dec 2009

“Now I just love this art. Kabuki is an entertainment that started from the lower class, which is very unusual, since other traditional theatre arts of the world started from the upper class with the ruler as patron. Think of operas, ballet or Japanese NO. We don’t have sponsors and the customers are supporting our theatre. Kabuki will die if we lose our audiences. This is why Kabuki is so dynamic, so vital.” This good tension with the audience is the strength of Kabuki. So what else is attractive about Kabuki? “Kabuki is a living art. Other traditional Japanese art like NO or BUNRAKU are trying to conserve the traditional way, but Kabuki is still evolving. We perform traditional numbers too, but many new scripts come out. Actors are proud that they are creating a cutting edge art. Did you know that there are no stage directors for Kabuki? Actors discuss their own acting and stage settings, and make new KATA, meaning acting formats. It is all made from discussion. And the other strength of Kabuki is the fans. Audiences have been supporting Kabuki for generations, and are proud that they are fostering Kabuki.” This dynamism of culture, the beauty of reconstruction starting 400 years ago, is one expression of Japanese way of living. Of course there are many “Japanese” rules that hinder his challenges. Shochiku, the owner of the theatre is an old company, unwilling to change and rather stiff as organization, but Simon is now acting as a catalyst to bring in a new wind. The relationship with the actors and customers is his only-one value.

“After all these years, at last I know I am both Japanese and English. Japan, after all, brought me up to who I am. I know the good and dark parts of Japan, and I think it is my mission to communicate the importance of respecting culture from a worldwide viewpoint.” Simon is now planning to manage a non-profit children’s Kabuki theatre company using his private time. All our best to Simon, the butler of Japanese culture!

30 Nov 2009

The first person related to Kabuki Simon met was Bando Tamasaburo, one of the most famous actors throughout the world. Actors and directors of Kabukiza were often staying at Hilton Nagoya for a performance tour, and during the one month stay Simon served them as Hilton Butler. “I was just surprised of how thorough Tamasaburo was as an artist. Hotel butlers get to see many VIPs, but he was genuine.” Nonetheless, Simon wasn’t interested in Kabuki at all in the beginning. The Kabuki actors came to stay at Hilton once in a while, every time for more than a month, and Simon became very close with them. “They invited me to see their performance at Kabukiza theatre, and I gradually became interested in Kabuki”. It took three years for Simon to decide that he was fond enough of this new world to change career and work at Kabukiza theatre. It was the relationship with the actors and staffs of Kabuki that moved him into this very Japanese world.

29 Nov 2009

After graduating high school Simon decides to start working instead of going on with education because he “didn’t have anything to expect from university.” He experiences various jobs from a construction worker to a hotel butler of Hilton Nagoya. The Hilton Butler is a staff specialized in hosting VIP customers. Simon was applying for a restaurant waiter, but a few lucky coincidences (or it could have been fate?) guided him to this new-made position. “My mother was strict about manners,” laughs Simon. Apparently the hotel manager noticed his aptitude and gave him this big chance. Simon didn’t wallow in his suddenly given high position, but instead gained on-the-job training for all sections of the hotel using time after his own work shift. “Well, I didn’t want others to be envying me for my luck. All I could do was to make enough effort to deserve the position”. He improved his skill as a hotelman, creating many VIP fans on the way. The directing manager of Kabukiza was one of them.

If you have a chance of meeting Simon --- which is not difficult if you go to see Kabuki --- you will be able to feel his remarkable sense of hospitality. “KIZUKAI” will be the Japanese word for “solicitous” or “hospitality”, the ability to realize what the other person is looking for. His sense of noticing others’ needs could have been a given talent, but the gentle atmosphere and “Kizukai” he creates is definitely a trained one. The expectation for service of Japanese customers is very high, as you can see at traditional hotels (Ryokan) and restaurants (Ryotei) even if the price is not that high. There are many subtle and delicate points of expectations, and many attendants just overwhelm the expectations by skilled manners and wit. It is interesting how Simon developed a very Japanese sense of detecting needs, and creatively uses both Western and Japanese manners according to the situation. He definitely knows how to maximize the effect of his “foreigner” mask and “Japanese” cultural background.

28 Nov 2009

Simon’s parents met in Germany, when his mother was traveling and his father was playing horn for an orchestra. After marriage they moved to Japan, and Simon was born in Nagoya, the fourth largest city of Japan. Simon, as you can see in the picture, looks like an English man rather than Japanese. This was a good reason for kindergarten kids to bully him as “Gaijin”, a rude way of calling foreigners. Sadly, this is a very common thing that happens in Japan. The mentality is different from ethnic discrimination--- exclusionism may be the right word, since Japanese from “outside” (meaning other areas of Japan or other countries) are most likely to face the same kind of bullying. Simon refused to go to kindergarten for this reason, but after entering elementary school he eventually fights back the bullies, making him mentally stronger and maybe a bit naughty. “I was always thinking that Japanese were uncool people, with such low ability to accept other countries,” says Simon. This was one reason why he enjoyed his annual summer vacation in London with his parents. Nobody pointed at him or called him names in England.

So where was his identity? Simon thought about this for a while and answered, “I wanted to live somewhere outside Japan till around 20. I wanted to be someone positioned outside nationality and ethnicity.” He was already living away from his parents when he was a high school student, a very mature teenager. He also backpacked around Europe and Asian countries for summer vacation, meeting friends that developed into a lifelong relationship. Simon wasn’t a Japanese or English at this time.

27 Nov 2009

Simon Yoshizumi is the operating manager of Kabukiza, the most traditional theatre in Japan. His hospitality plays a big role in customer satisfaction, and his understanding of Japanese culture makes him the face of Kabukiza theatre. Born between a Japanese father and English mother, Simon’s life in Japan wasn’t so easy. Through his story, we will uncover both the light and dark of Japanese culture.

26 Nov 2009

This may be a strange question for some of you.
Only one God?
Well, that may be the truth for many people.

But in Japan, traditionally there are said to be 8 million gods.

Gods everywhere.
There are Tree God, Stone God, even God of bathrooms and God of kitchen.
We should respect God, and therefore we have to respect everything around us.

RESPECT is a key concept for thinking about our relation with nature.
I will write about some of our Gods again... ciao for now!

25 Nov 2009

SHIWASU is December in the Japanese lunar calender. We write it 師走 in KANJI characters, meaning "teacher is running". There are many theories to explain the origin of this word, and it is commonly said that the sound was there first, and the KANJI letters were applyed afterwards. Afterwards meaning 8th century (Heian period), is quite old anyway. In this theory, it is said that "SHI" (monk teacher) has to "HASERU" (run around) to chant the Buddhist sutra everywhere during this season, so the "SHI-HASERU" became shorter to "SHIWASU".
Many Japanese companies become very very busy in December, although the fiscal year usually ends in March. It will be a polite joke to say "Well, it is SHIWASU we might as well be busy" when you are having a business talk.

24 Nov 2009

How can we join the movement?
As individuals, we can start by imagining how much CO2 was used to make products before buying. There aren't many carbon neutral products yet, and not many companies disclose the amount of emission, but we can always choose a product if it declares to be neutral. CO2 emission amount can become a factor of preference among prices and design. If you are willing to offset your own CO2 emission in addition, there are ways to invest in CDM projects too.

(based on an interview with Yoichi Mori from PEAR Carbon Offset Initiative)

23 Nov 2009

What is CDM?
It is one of the emission trading mechanisms within the Kyoto Protocol. It is difficult for developed countries to achieve their CO2 reduction goals on their own, and on the other hand, it is obvious that developing countries need to reduce their CO2 emission, even though they don't have obligation. So this mechanism enables developed and developing countries to cooperate for CO2 emission reduction projects. Developed countries will be able to count the amount of reduction for their own goal.
　The projects are certified by the UN, only if the mechanism becomes an incentive to reverses business as usual. For example, it is obviously cheaper to build a coal power plant than a solar one. However by using the clean development mechanism, emission credit will work as an incentive to reverse this economic viewpoint.
　Projects must be connected to sustainable development and local needs. It may cost more than temporary CO2 reduction, but it means a lot more in the long run.

22 Nov 2009

About 2 hours away from Tokyo, Mashiko Town is
well-known around the world for its famous pottery,
“Mashiko-yaki.” Thanks to the contribution of Shoji
Hamada and an English man, Bernard Leach, pottery from
Mashiko still gives us joy and reminds us the importance of
slow-food. Nowadays, if you visit Mashiko, you will find
that the town is not just pottery anymore. It is now the town
of creators and artisans, gathering artists from all over the
world. Meet the variety of artists at the gigantic Mashiko
Pottery Festival from Oct. 31st to Nov. 4th. During the
festival, 500,000 visitors gather in the small town of 20,000
residents!

21 Nov 2009

How would you choose your new bicycle? Like some
people buy Italian car because they like Italian
fashion, it might be a good idea to choose your new bike
according to your favorite fashion style. If your style is
European, find an elegant bike that match. If your fashion
is all American, go for a casual American bike. There are
also German, Japanese, Belgian, Canadian and many other
choices of brand. Bicycle is a part of your style. Believe or
not, if you choose a bicycle brand this way, your fashion
will look neater and match better in total. The photo is
a luxury Italian brand, Cinelli. For European bikes, visit
Nicole EuroCycle. English-speaking staff will choose you
the best bike!

20 Nov 2009

The sleek lines of the Antibac 2K Magic Ball Air
Purifier hide an environmentally friendly secret. It
uses an eco-friendly plant-based liquid known as “Solution”
to eliminate airborne odors, bacteria, fungi and enveloped
viruses.
Developed jointly by Antibac Laboratories Pte. Ltd. and
Evonic Goldschmidt GmbH, the Magic Ball was first used
in airports and hospitals, where cleanliness is paramount.
It is now also popular with young women, who like the
modern design and variety of fragrances. It has been proven
to be effective against flu virus. How about washing your
hands, gargling, and a Magic Ball this winter?

19 Nov 2009

OHSOJI, meaning "big cleanup", is almost a national event in Japan. Japanese people have a reputation for neatness, and at the end of the year, it is a very important family event to clean up every corner of the house.

Anyway, "WATER ONE" was an interesting product we found at the Eco-Products Exhibition. It is a cleaning liquid for kitchen and all other places in your house. 99% made of fine water and the remaining 1% sodium metasilicate, it can lift up grease easily. You won't have to wipe it off twice since the liquid doesn't include harmful chemicals. We got a sample bottle, and can't wait to use it for our office OHSOJI! OHSOJI

18 Nov 2009

Judging by the number of foreign tourists I came across during my visit, Mount Aso rather well known globally for being one of the world's largest calderas. Synonymous with Japan itself, you can feel the four seasons through different scenery along the active volcanic peak. The ropeway to the top has a renewal in September, 2009. Be careful not to get too close to the caldera.

17 Nov 2009

Despite it much resembling a battleship, this picture is of an island called Hashima, open to the public in the spring of 2009. Nagasaki’s ocean floor is abundant with charcoal. This attracted many coal mines during the twentieth century; our Battleship Island was one of them. In the mid-1950s, the island, with such public facilities as schools and hospitals, had the population of 5,300 inhabitants—nine times of Tokyo at the same period. The energy revolution brought about by gasoline in 1974 has since left the island deserted. Now, 30 years from then, the Battleship Island still stands as a memento of its glorious past.

16 Nov 2009

TOMBO is the Japanese word for Dragonfly.
Other names for TOMBO in Japanese will be AKIDU or KAGERO.

AKIDU is an ancient word for TOMBO, and it is also the old way of expressing JAPAN. The reason is said to be that an ancient emperor looked at Japan from the height and said that it is a round country just like two mating dragonflys.

蜻蛉 (sorry for those who aren't able to see Japanese characters)will be the KANJI for TOMBO. We also read this KAGERO.
KANJIs are unique, because you can read it in many ways, and one character can be a combination of two or more characters. In this case, you will notice that both KANJIs include a 虫 on the left side. This means "Insect". The right side of both KANJIs are different letters, but they both mean "Sound".

TOMBO patterns are frequently used in KIMONOs and OBI*s. The picture above is an OBI. You will notice that many patterns of KIMONOs are inspired by living things, plants and natural landscape. Dragonfly designs were popular among BUSHI (or SAMURAI), because dragonfly only flies forward and never fly backward. This is expressed ISAGIYOI （潔い）, meaning graceful.

*OBI is a waist tie for kimonos. OBIs could be very expensive too. Coordination of KIMONO and OBI is as important as the KIMONO itself. Btw, I have a feeling that Obi-wan of Starwars comes from OBI, since it is a famous story that the outfit design in the movie series were inspired by KIMONOs. AMIDARA, the name of the princess, is a Bhudist God too...May the force be with you!

15 Nov 2009

SETSUYAKU(節約) is to economize, to save by lessening something. It usually represents saving "money" in particular.

How to Use
John "I am walking to the station everyday instead of using the bus to SETSUYAKU the bus fare"
Ray "Don't be so cheap!"
John "Why not? Setsuyaku is virtue. The 200 yen will make more than 60 thousand yen in a year. I would rather walk for my health and go on a vacation using the money I SETSUYAKU."

Issues
SETSUYAKU is usually associated with housewives (=women) in Japan, which is a common gender bias. SETSUYAKU can be done by both genders and by people of all occupations.

14 Nov 2009

KANBATSU 間伐 means to thin the forest. The two Japanese characters mean "in between" and "cut (trees)".

67% of Japanese land is forests, and 40% of the forests are forest that need to be maintained by people. It is called "Satoyama". Forestry used to be a large industry in Japan. It is a pity that these days timber is mostly imported from other Asian countries, cheap wood sometimes cut out illegally or without care for natural order.
This is resulting in forest destruction in Asian countries.

"Satoyama" forests need to be maintained by people to keep growing properly, because it was half created for forestry. Thinner trees and grass must be cut once in a while so the strong ones can survive. This is called KANBATSU. However because cheaper wood is coming in, the timber market inside Japan collapsed, and forest thinning cannot be done anymore for economic reasons. It costs too much compared to what can be earned for wood.

I wonder if other countries are having the same problem, or is this only in Japan? Please tell us about Kanbatsu in your country.

13 Nov 2009

Another great word. ARIGATO, as most of you may know, means "Thank you".
But do you know how this word came to be?

It is supposed to be pronounced ARIGATOU, with a "U" in the end. (Btw, Japanese pronounciation is similar to Spanish. Forget your English accent and recall your Spanish course!) The "R" is like the spanish single "R" in the middle of a word, or near to an "L" sound.

"Arigatou" comes from the word "Arigatashi", which means "very difficult to happen". "Arigatashi" + "gozaimasu" (meaning "it is") became ARIGATOU-GOZAIMASU, literally meaning "It is so difficult to happen!", or "Too good to be true". And to make it short, we say ARIGATOU. ARIGATOU-GOZAIMASU will be the proper way of thanking somebody elder or of higher position.

That is why this word can be used to express appreciation to non-humans too, such as good luck, god, nature, and happennigs. It may be nearer to "Gracias" or "Merci".

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