Quakebook

I'd like to share a link with you, quakebook.  It's a book that has been published to share the wide experiences brought on by the devastating earthquake at 2:46 p.m. on March 11, 2011.  It is also a fundraiser for survivors & victims of the quake.  The stories are moving and true, and it's the work of ordinary people just like you and me. 


Take a minute and check out the site and it's mission.  The site is tri-lingual (English, German & Japanese).  The original book is available in English as an e-book (Now for free!  See May 28 blog post at the link below), and will be available in print from June 14 (bilingual in English & Japanese, but not free~though 100% of the money from it goes to the Japanese Red Cross). 

Check it out here:  quakebook

Questioning

First of all, good evening and apologies!  This has been a busy week!  More of your reports going up from tomorrow!

This week/weekend has been busy with baseball and preparations to send my child off to Okinawa!  I'd love to go, too (wouldn't you as well?) but also look forward to a couple of days of parenthood-vacation!

Did you just ask yourself what that means?  Good.  That brings us back to the REAL topic, questions.  Questions show curiosity and interest; they keep topics flowing and enable us to exchange information. What events have sparked your interest, sent questions racing through your mind recently?  As we explore recent events, we will be looking for and exploring those questions! 

Chatmonchy

Chatmonchy is a rock band formed by three women from Tokushima.  Their major debut was in November 2005.  Even now, they have entrenched popularity.  “Chatmonchy Sugoi 2 Days in Nippon Budoukan,” a live show, was held for two days in 2008.  Their fourth album, 「YOU MORE」 was released in April 2011.  Also, a nationwide tour, “YOU MORE Zensen” is being held now.  The tickets are sold out.  I look forward to their activity in the future, and I want to listen to the songs of Chatmonchy in the future, too.  My favorite song is “Shangrila.”

Chatmonchy: Shangrila

Submitted by Saku

Odorigui

There is an interesting gastronomic culture in Japan. It is “odorigui.” “Odorgui” is to eat seafood while it’s still alive. An especially famous one is “odorigui” of “shirouo.” “Shirouo” is a fingerling that has a small, transparent body. It’s eaten with vinegar soy sauce after scooping it with anet. It is enjoyed as a poetic event of the season. But not all Japanese are doing that.
"Odorigui is a bloody tyranny!" is one criticism has been received from foreign countries. Particularly, in Australia, odorigui is prohibited.

Submitted by Yu__Og

Hello Kitty©

“Hello Kitty© ” was produced by Sanrio© in 1974.  Now she is loved all over the world.  The reason why she is loved is because of two attractions. 

The first attraction is the variety of Kitty.  Kitty in the 1970’s was drawn with a heavy, black line.  Her pose and dress was always the same.  So, she was losing her popularity.  However, a new designer, Yuko Yamaguchi, removed the heavy line and changed Kitty’s pose and dress.  Then, Kitty regained her popularity.  Now, Kitty has many styles, for example “monochrome Kitty,” Kitty holding a teddy bear, and so on.  Kitty has changed her style to meet the needs of people.

The second attraction is that she doesn’t have a mouth.  Yamaguchi says that a mouth mostly gives expression to feelings, but having no mouth makes Kitty give expressions that people want.  When you are sad, Kitty encourages you.  When you are happy, Kitty rejoices with you.

I’m looking forward to seeing new types of Kitty!

**Survey question: Which do you like more, Kitty with a mouth or without a mouth?

Of 18 people surveyed, a total of 15 people preferred Kitty without a mouth drawn.

Submitted by Kaori


**Copyrights to the character names/images mentioned above are owned by SANRIO CO., LTD

Sanrio Characters

Sanrio has many characters.  There are more than 200.  Hello Kitty© is the most famous character in Sanrio and came into existence in 1974.  In the 1980’s, 75 characters appeared, for example KERO KERO KEROPPI©.  Pompom Purin© appeared in 1996, Cinnamoroll© appeared in 2001 and BABYMILO© appeared in 2010.  Sanrio creates at least one character every year. Many people like these characters.  

Sanrio 2011 Character Ranking: What's your favorite? 

 

**Survey question:  How many Sanrio characters do you know?  Of 18 people surveyed, one person knew 25; 12 people knew three to five characters.  The other five people knew a couple more or less than that.

Submitted by Ono

**Copyrights to the character names/images mentioned above are owned by SANRIO CO., LTD

Let’s Try Again

The actors, musicians and talents attached to Amuse Promotions, which include 37 groups and 54 people, all joined in one chorus.  They created a special in-house unit called “TeamAmuse!!”

They drew together for the region devastated by the March 11 Great East Japan Earthquake.  The talents sang a charity song called “Let’s Try Again.”  This dream collaboration was organized by Keisuke Kuwata who is frontman for the Southern All Stars.

 

“Let’s Try Again” is based on the newly written song by Kuwata, but he also mixed many masterpieces from artists who have joined the team.  Those include “Katte ni Shindobaddo” and “Kibou no Wadachi” from Southern All Stars, “Sakurazaka” from Masaharu Fukuyama, “Saudade” from PornoGraffitti, “Nada Sousou” from BEGIN, “Polyrhythm” from Perfume, and so on.

VEOH: To see full version of "Let's Try Again" 

Submitted by Saeka

 **"Let's Try Again" can be purchased from May 25, 2011 at on-line sellers and other locations, including amazon.co.jp, Rakuten