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Fascinated with Kyoto/Japan
Interviews with non-Japanese people
who fell in love with Japan
The more our world becomes international, the more we have a chance to see and communicate with foreigners or encounter different cultures. Sometimes it is very interesting to know a bit about other worlds and understand how people live or think. Unfortunately, we all change slowly and our inner culture is like an operating system that we don't really understand. However, some fall in love with other cultures and become a hybrid personality that follows two or more cultures. This month, KVG interviewed a few people who fell in love with Japan: office workers, traditional culture masters, entertainers and student. What brought them to Japan and kept them here?
JERO
Japan's first American Enka singer
Last year, a sensation hit Japan's Enka world: a young American man called Jero whose debut performance was off the charts. Enka is a popular style of Japanese music that many refer to as Japanese blues. Jero doesn't exactly fit the style in how he hangs: hip-hop style clothing and lots of dancing. You would never guess that he is an Enka singer. But everyone in Japan does: old and young. Jero is center stage in the big world of Enka, a star, a super star. Here's Jero's amazing story.
I loved to listen to Enka with my grandmother more than anything
''All of my many interests in Japan and the world of Enka started with my grandmother. She was Japanese and totally loved Enka. She had a number of Enka cassette tapes and I loved to listen to them with her more than anything when I was little. It sounded so cool to me! Then I started to sing Enka on my own. At first it was because my grandma liked my singing. I wanted to make her happy, so I sang for her. The more songs I learned and sang, the better I got and then, unbelievably, now I am famous in Japan. A long story that you can tell in seconds, if you had to.
Though I always loved Enka, it had mostly been a hobby for me. To become a truly professional Enka singer in Japan was more than a dream, it was an impossibility that I never even considered. My major in university was computer engineering, so everyone, including myself, thought that I was going to be a computer engineer or something like that. Life is strange that way: we look one way and everyone looks with us but sometimes life comes at us from a completely different direction.
The path to my ultimate success was far from easy...
However, my devotion to Enka never went away; instead it just became stronger. One day in 2003, I finally decided to come to Japan to make my dream come true: to become a professional Enka singer in Japan. Naturally, the path to my ultimate success was far from easy. First of all, I tried to join a famous TV program featuring amateur singers. It is called NHK Nodo Jiman, everyone in Japan knows this program. The judges are all professionals and it is pretty hard to get a good result in this contest. Surprisingly, I got the best result! After that, I joined many other singing contests in Japan and received many more prizes. After a while, one of the major record companies found me and now my career as an Enka singer is well under way.
In 2008, after two years of training, I had my professional debut on stage. It felt great to learn that my second song, Umi Yuki (Sea Snow), became a huge hit. Suddenly, I was an Enka singer with hit records!
The music and the words of Enka are nostalgic, beautiful and deep
One of my favourite Japanese singers is Hibari Misora (1937-1989; a legendary female singer who is alive in the minds of many). I adore her voice and her expressions when she sings. The other day, I had a chance to join an event held at her memorial museum, Misora Hibari-za. Though she passed away 20 years ago, many people continue to listen to her. It was a great honor for me to sing one of her songs in front of her fans at the museum. I really admire her and hope to be a singer like her in the long run.
I think Enka is important. It reflects the spirit of the Japanese people. The music and the words are nostalgic, beautiful and deep.
To learn more about Jero, visit: www.jvcmusic.co.jp/-/Artist/A021548.html ; enjoy his latest single on YouTube!
James Kent
Build Bridges between Kyoto and Abroad through International Conferences
Mr. James Kent, from England, works for the Kyoto Convention Bureau. Maybe it is not familiar name of the organization for many tourists. However, the KCB has a lot to do with something connecting Kyoto and the world through opportunities of international conferences.
I could not get over how welcoming and friendly all the people were
Thinking back, probably my first encounter with Japan started when I was climbing around on my granddad's parked Honda 50. Possibly my Casio sports watch. There was also my support of Nigel Mansell driving the red 5 Williams Honda during the 1980s. My first touch of Kyoto, by the way, was probably my Nintendo split-screen Pinball game and my friend's split-screen Mario Bros that we played at break times at school. And possibly pondering the meaning of 'Toy Ota' that I saw on name badges of the occasional car (don't they have 'real' cars in Japan?).
I firstly started to be interested in Japan when the 17th World Scout Jamboree held in South Korea in 1991. All overseas scout troops had a week's home stay in Japan. I was lucky enough to stay in Osaka & Kobe and to visit Kyoto for one day. It was the utility cables overhead all the time that really captured my imagination! Okay, I took a large number of photographs of that - my first camera was an Olympus - but the real lasting impression was the kindness of Japanese people.
My first impression with Japan was - Never in my life had I experienced anything so hot and humid! My first visit to Kyoto was at the end of July. Also, I could not get over how welcoming and friendly all the people were. We arrived in Itami Airport (the international airport at that time) quite late at night and were taken into a conference room to meet our host families. We were greeted by hundreds of people clapping for what seemed like an age. I clearly remember, too, that we shared and apartment in Osaka with three generations of one family plus grandma's cats. Grandma had a book in her room entitled, ''I love English''. She'd been practising just because of our visit.
KCB: building bridges, facilitates business and creates experiences for meeting events in Kyoto
I would like to tell briefly about the Kyoto Convention Bureau's (KCB) function. KCB builds bridges, facilities business and creates experiences for people planning, working on and attending all manner of meeting events in Kyoto. KCB's role is essential because it helps people from around the world access the best that the city offers - if you are going to organise a meeting here in Kyoto, then make it worth the journey and get the best of sumptuous dining, the best of special and hidden venues, and the best of the support services that allow Kyoto hospitality to shine through.
Finally, here are my bits-and-pieces the contrasts fascinating and mind-boggling of Japan. Some examples: highly sophisticated and totally kitsch, ryotei and McDonalds, fantastic trains and poor roads, the Nissan GTR and the 50km/h national speed limit decorated with traffic lights every 30 metres, ''We Japanese love nature'' v.s. the complete lack of greenery in cities and hardly any gardens in suburbia...
I love the art of playing with words and language and the utterly crazy extremes that have been reached. I love the seasonality in the supermarket even if it does mean eating nothing but bamboo shoots for a month in spring (this seasonality has been weakened in European culture because everything can be produced year-round on the Costa Plastica). Most of all I love the hospitality! Where else in the world can you buy a newspaper or a can of Coke and be made to feel like a king or a queen?
To know more about James's work at KCB, visit their website: www.hellokcb.jp . There are some tourist related information or lot of useful information for international conference in Kyoto.
Diane Orrett (Diane Kichijitsu)
Rakugo performer brings smiles and laughter
Ms. Diane Orrett, from Liverpool, England, has probably one of the most interesting and unique jobs as a foreigner in Japan. Not an English teacher, not an interpreter, not a model... She is a professional Rakugo performer! Rakugo is the art of traditional storytelling that dates back over 300 years. The performer tells the tale playing all the characters using voice inflections and facial expressions, whilst kneeling on a zabuton (cushion).
I didn't actually know very much about Japan before I came here. It had an air of mystery about it. Whilst working at a ski resort in New Zealand on my backpacking trip around the world, I met an American girl who had lived in Japan for a year. She loved it here and recommended it as a great place to visit. I came here as a traveller intending to stay for 3 months - that was in 1990 and I’m still here!
Diane is also active as a balloon artist!
Since childhood I've had a very active imagination and was always reading books. I loved listening to stories, especially those told by my parents, grandparents, and family friends. I've always been a bit of a daydreamer. As a child I was very shy in front of strangers but was mesmerized by storytellers, mime artists, and puppet shows.
Rakugo: a world of imagination
The world of Rakugo is a world of imagination. When I first watched a performance I was immediately drawn in. Rakugo contains many elements that appealed to me; imagination, mime and comedy. The tales are told using only two props to represent various objects. As adults, we rarely take the time to just sit back and use our imaginations, so I find this kind of performance very refreshing.
I joined a Rakugo dojo (like a training center) to learn the basics and knew immediately that I wanted to perform. I had no idea that what started out as a hobby would turn into a job. I was enchanted by Rakugo because through the stories we are able to learn a lot about culture, history and lifestyles. In certain cases there is also a moral to the story. Although there are many varieties of comedy, laughter is international. Learning through humour is a wonderful thing.
Japanese culture: respected worldwide
I really love old, traditional places such as castles, temples, and small villages with a long history. I'm passionately in love with kimonos. I have a collection of over 130 kimonos and more than 60 obis. My collection is my pride and joy. The designs are often breathtaking. For a country so small, Japanese culture is famous and respected worldwide. It is original, mysterious, and precious; and deserves be kept alive. I'm trying to do my part to ensure that the beauty of Japan and its culture lives on.
To find out more about Diane and her performance schedule, visit her website: http://www.diane-o.com
Randy Channell
Tea master introduces philosophy of Chanoyu to the world
Mr. Randy Channell (his tea name is Soei), from Canada looks like Hotei, the Happy Buddha. He is a master of Chanoyu popularly known internationally as the tea ceremony. He is a humorous, gentle and fun person to talk with and this can be seen clearly once he puts on his kimono to do tea, he becomes a master of Chanoyu. Chanoyu is known as the culmination of Japanese culture, philosophy, manners, speech, attitude, hospitality, craftsmanship, etc. What does Randy find special about Chanoyu?
Came to Japan to pursue the ideal of Bun Bu Ryo Do
My first visit to Japan was while I was living in Hong Kong... TOO MANY years ago. I remember enjoying the difference between Hong Kong and Japan and the balance of ''things East/West'' in Tokyo. I became interested in Japan through the martial arts.
Before coming to Japan I don't think I had the old stereotypical image, that is to say I didn't think it would be all geisha, chonmage (samurai topknot hairstyle) and Fujisan (Mount Fuji). So when I first visited I don't recall being overly surprised by what I experienced.
When I moved to Japan I lived in Matsumoto in Nagano prefecture. It was there that I became dedicated to the study of Budo (martial arts). I wanted to live by the phrase ''Bun Bu Ryo Do''. I guess a literal translation could be 'the dual way of the cultural and martial arts'. Maybe like an officer and a gentleman!? Doing only martial arts I felt an imbalance in my character so I wanted to try something ''cultural'' to create a balance of my yin & yang, so to speak.
My kendo (Japanese fencing using bamboo swords) sensei was also a master of shodo (Japanese calligraphy) so I tried that and a woman that I taught was a master of koto (Japanese harp) so I tried that too. As it happened the lady next door was a chado sensei so I thought I should give that a go as well. Having NO sense for either shodo or koto I quit after a year or two and here I am now 20 some years later still struggling with chanoyu!
Move to Kyoto to devote myself to the 'Way of Tea'.
I remember vividly even after all these years the first time I visited next door to experience tea. There were so many similarities in movement and posture between chado and budo. Initially that was what attracted me to it but the more I studied it the more I realized the less I knew...follow me? To further my understanding of tea I applied and was lucky enough to be accepted to the Urasenke Gakuen Professional College of Chado. My move to Kyoto was to devote myself to the 'Way of Tea'.
It would be hard to say what is 'the best attraction' in chanoyu it has so many good things in it. Same as for the ''beauty of chanoyu''... it is often referred to as a ''sogo geijutsu'' (complete art form). In chanoyu there are so many other traditional arts represented and each one could be a way itself. The ''beauty of chanoyu'' is a major attraction for those seeing it from the outside but the true beauty of it is the spiritual inner side. The ''Four Principles of Tea'' are WA KEI SEI JAKU– Harmony Respect Purity and Tranquility.
Written by Sen Rikyu over 400 years ago they are still valid ideals even in this day and age. Striving to put these principles into daily life is a goal for many people doing tea. Another and maybe even more important attraction is the interaction between people. Coming together to share a bowl of tea in an atmosphere of quiet solitude can be an enriching experience for both host and guest.
Kyoto: the Mecca of Japanese culture
Kyoto is the Mecca of the Japanese cultural arts so for me that alone could be my favourite 'thing' about Kyoto. Another ''Japanese cultural art'' I enjoy is the BLUES. Kansai has a very good Blues scene and has many great musicians and famous live houses. I play the blues harp and I often used to 'tobiiri' with different bands all over Kyoto, it was a lot of fun but recently I haven't been doing it so much. Maybe once or twice a year compared to before when I used play once or twice a week! I do miss it so hopefully I'll get back into it again someday.
When I was very young I tried judo, it wasn't something Japanese for me and at that age I would not have cared as it was just something to play with my friends. I imagine though that it probably planted a seed of interest in me as later I became very interested in kakutogi (combative sports) then Japanese Budo in particular. However I wasn't really interested in Japan when I first came to Asia. I went from Canada to Hong Kong to study kung fu. While living in there I visited Japan many times before deciding to move here. On several of my visits I was able to go to many dojo and attended several budo exhibitions. It was through this exposure that I made the decision to move... I came here looking for a ''way''.
Kyoto is a vibrant and at the same time cultured city that it is a must for anyone visiting Japan. From the Imperial Palace to the Manga Museum there is something here for EVERYONE. Hope to see you soon!
Randy also owns a charming café, ran Hotei. In a totally renovated 100-year-old traditional Kyoto machiya, elements of Taisho Roman & art deco have been stylishly combined. You can enjoy matcha, coffee, tea and other delicious original drinks as well as their homemade pastries (the matcha cheesecake is highly recommended!). Experience the Way of Tea, tea gatherngs and other events monthly. In the Sanjokai Shopping Arcade, west of Horikawa; Open: Weekdays 11:00-20:00; Weekends 10:00-20:00; www.ranhotei.com
Symonekeo Senesathith
Tourism student from Laos
Ms. Symonekeo Senesathith, from Laos, is currently taking a master's degree at Ritsumeikan University in Kyoto. In Laos, she is a teacher at a college specializing in tourism. Some years ago, she decided to study in Kyoto to deepen her knowledge about tourism. She studies hard everyday to get the knowledge she needs to improve the tourism industry in her country.
Kyoto is a blend of old and new living side by side
Before I came to Japan, I knew that Japan was a modern country but also well known for preserving Japan's old traditional culture forms, such as: women wearing Kimono, tea ceremony and the way of greeting and Japanese home stay protocol. I think it is also very important to note that Japanese people are very punctual and hard working. When it comes to food, Japanese cuisine is known for its unique style all over the world.
When I came to Japan, I was very surprised and impressed by this country: it is amazingly modern, technologically advance and home to one of the largest and deepest forms of traditional culture in the world today.
Now I am studying tourism in Kyoto. Before I came to Japan, I was working for the Department of Tourism and Hotel Management in The National University of Lao PDR. I have been living in Kyoto for two years now. After two years I feel quite at home here. Currently, my research is related to tourism promotion policies in Kyoto. Ten percent of Kyoto's economy is based on tourism and it is one of the biggest employers in city.
Kyoto is very beautiful and unique. It has a well preserved range of art forms, nature, traditional culture and more than 1200 years of fascinating history. Today the city is a blend of old and new living side by side. Kyoto is also the center of Japan's religious culture.
Utilizing my knowledge and experience in Kyoto both tourism and life styles
My studies have shown me that Kyoto's management of its World Heritage Sites is very sophisticated. The city has nearly 20 important and internationally recognized sites. This kind of forward thinking that has resulted in the superb preservation of a phenomenal range of important properties including temples, gardens, the arts and all kinds of traditional culture. The success of tourism in Kyoto is the result of good management based on cooperation between tourism stakeholders who take responsibility for the tourism industry and protection of important cultural heritage sites of all kinds. The city gets nearly 50 million Japanese visitors each year compared with only one million non-Japanese visitors. For this reason Kyoto holds the distinction of being the most visited city on earth.
After I return to Laos, I will utilize my knowledge and experience in Kyoto (both tourism and life styles) by giving lectures and presentations to my students at the National University of Laos especially students in the Department of Tourism and Hotel Management.
I love Kyoto. My favorite temples are Kinkaku-ji Temple and Kiyomizu Temple. And I love sushi and Japanese ramen! Kyoto is a blend of traditional and modern styles and things and it is a highly developed country in every way, Laos on the other hand is a developing country which is still far behind when compared to Japan. I have learned a lot here both in class from my professors and through the things we studied and on the street level when interacting with Japanese people in many different ways.