Nippon Club Newsletter (February 2002)

2002 International Festival Bazaar

The International Festival, which was cancelled last year due to the 9/11 tragedy, was held this year during April 26 to 28. With the help of numerous volunteers, Japan Club’s bazaar succeeded in customers happily seeing, feeling, and buying a part of Japan.

Japanese yo-yo and kendama demonstrations were great hits, as well as Origami ornaments and other Japanese crafts. In the Origami corner, it was great to see both children and their parents boasting their difficult finished pieces after their hard work. Two children from Winston-Salem especially found Origami enjoyable, and as soon as they found out how to create pieces, they were eagerly teaching others. In the future I would like to value communication with the people of this area through events like this one. I also would like to thank the students and the families of the Japanese School for setting up the booth and creating the Origami pieces. Accordingly, parts of the sale go to Japanese School.

In Raleigh, there is an Origami club called TOFU. The club meets at 7:00pm every third Saturday of the month at a book store in Quailridge Shopping Center.

For more info: Mr McNitt (919)469-1175

New Officer

Toku Takahashi

Mr. Toku Takahashi was a great force in making the International Festival a success. Currently, he works as an associate professor at Duke Medical Center, and his students call him by his friendly nickname, "Toku-san." After 10 years of gastroenterology at Hyogo College of Medicine in Japan, he decided to move, along with his wife, daughter, and two sons, to University of Michigan in order to study basic medicine. That was 14 years ago, and just a year ago, he made another move to Durham, where he resides, currently. One of the reasons for the move is that he can play golf all-year-round in North Carolina. (He should fit right in with the "Golf Crazed" residents of North Carolina.) On a more PC note, he is looking forward to new challenges with his wife, now that his youngest child has gone to college. As he quotes, "People say, 'One works for self and his family until 50 years of age, and after 60 one should work to improve society,' I would like to think of myself in that transition and value kinship and relations with people." Let's look forward to Japan Club and Durham's new liaison.

Osamu Wanibe

Mr. Wanibe has only be in Raleigh for 2 months, and he looks like a nice young man. He is living his new life with much excitement and enthusiasm… (it might be because he is single and lives alone). He already went to a Hurricanes game, got an autographed uniform, and is quite a fan. He was born and raised in Nagoya, so he sometimes misses Miso base foods and Kishimen (a type of noodle), but his youth and enthusiasm should bring a breath of fresh air to Japan Club.

Triangle Taiko

Triangle Taiko Club has become an affiliate of the Nippon Club. Under the new arrangement, Triangle Taiko is an autonomous subgroup within Nippon Club. We are excited about this development, and look forward to a close and rewarded relationship.

On March 2, San Jose Taiko performed at NCSU in Raleigh. While they were here, San Jose graciously held a taiko workshop for Triangle Taiko. We had a wonderful time playing drums and making new friends!

On April 4, Jason Sass held a taiko demonstration at the Japan Center for the Hatsu Moku Kai. After a short drumming demonstration, Jason talked about his experience performing in Japan, and answered questions. Then the audience got to try their hand at taiko by playing a traditional festival piece.

Ms. Marty Babcock, Director of Programs NC Center for International Understanding, appeared with two grandsons, Kris and Patrick.

Patrick said that the taiko session was "cool" and, he really enjoyed trying the rhythms. On the other hand, Kris was working on the drumming posture, and he showed us beautiful "Kata". Marty said, "It was a great way of making Japanese culture real and appealing." "We really appreciate providing the service."

Everyone on the team is making great progress. We are delighted to say that we are moving up our debut to the Nippon Club picnic in the fall, and we will be able to start a new beginner's class in September!

Hunt Silver Golden Star

The Government of Japan recently announced that former North Carolina Governor James B. Hunt Jr. will be awarded the prestigious Order of the Sacred Treasure, Gold and Silver Star. This award is conferred upon outstanding individuals who have made significant contributions to the promotion of friendly relations with Japan. Governor Hunt has played a vital role in the promotion of economic relations between Japan and the U.S. and in the enhancing of American understanding ofJapan.

While serving an historic four terms as governor of North Carolina, the relationship between North Carolina and Japan has greatly expanded. Governor Hunt established the North Carolina Japan Office in Tokyo more than 20 years ago. Today, North Carolina is home to more than 150 Japanese companies that employ 17,000 people. In 1981, Governor Hunt also established the Japan Center at NCSU; the Center has expanded to seven chapters across the State. The Center has helped increase public understanding on Japan, in addition to assisting Japanese nationals and businesses adapt in their newcommunity. The Honorable Toshinao Urabe, Consul General of Japan in Atlanta, will present the award to Governor Hunt on behalf of the Government of Japan at a ceremony to be held at a later date in Raleigh.

JAPANESE-AMERICAN CULTURAL EXCHANGE 20th ANNIVERSARY

The Japanese-American Cultural Exchange began in 1982 when a small group of Japanese and American ladies met at First Baptist Church in Raleigh to get to know each other and to learn of each other's cultural. Hundreds of ladies have participated in this program through the years. We have approximately fourteen meetings between September and May.

Recently several ladies demonstrated the Tea Ceremony, which I as an American found interesting and relaxing to observe. Afterwards we socialized as each lady was allowed to mix her own bowl of green tea accompanied by special sweets which we all enjoyed. In April we will divide into small groups and meet in American homes. Other programs have included garden tours, crafts, Japanese and American cooking.

For more information please contuct Sarah Hawks (919)876-4159 or Emiko Kuroda ksmomlb@hotmail.com (919)481-4938.T

ADF at Duke

"The world's greatest dance festival."[New York Post]

ADF (American Dance Festival) is on June 6 through July 20, 2002. One of the highlights is SHEN WEI DANCE ARTS on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, June 10-12, which is commissioned by the ADF with support from Philip Morris Companies Inc. and the Doris Duke Awards for New Work. "…striking experiments in stillness and surreal imagery…"[The New York Times] "The journey into the garden of Shen Wei's imagination and spirit proved so engaging…the 90-minute program seemed like five minutes."[The Herald Sun]

Ms Kanako Satoh returns to the stage who has performed for SHEN WEI DANCE ARTS in 2000 and 2001. Kana, who was born in Sendai, Japan, received awards and scholarships from Orange coast College, ADF and California State University, Long Beach where she has graduated from with a B.F.A. degree in 2000. She is anxious about furthering her career as a professional dancer.

SHEN WEI DANCE ARTS was invited to an international dance festival called 'Steps' in Switzerland. They performed in five cities and all performances went very well. [We had one sold out performance, and it seemed like the audience loved the show. I could not believe everything because it was even better than what I have been dreaming for all the years. We will be performing the new piece and the one we did in Switzerland, "Folding" which is a truly beautiful and very powerful. I can't feel any better to be alive than when I am performing the piece, and I am so thankful to be able to perform that dance. I believe that, regardless of myself in it, the dance is worth watching for anyone.]….Ms. Kanako Satoh….

for more information about ADF 2002: http://www.americandancefestival.org call 919-684-4444 for performance tickets

Garden Tour

Debrah Brogden

Sixteen gardners with a wide variety of gardening backgrounds accepted Yoko Uwashima's invitation to visit some special gardens in the Sandhills area of N.C. On Saturday, April 20, our group carpooled from Raleigh to Pinehurst.

Our first stop was at the Sandhills Horticultural Gardens. Our guide, Mac Hulslander, is a graduate of the Sandhills Community College Landscape Gardening program offered at the Gardens. Mac introduced his mentor, Fred Garrett, who helped to start the Gardens and the degree program. Fred Garrett, in turn, introduced this large multi-faceted garden to us.

The Sandhills Gardens are made beautiful and interesting by its many smaller gardens. We strolled through the Cactus Garden, the Claw English Sir Walter Raleigh Garden, and the Holly Garden. The Holly Garden was the first of the many parts of the Sandhills Gardens. This collection of over 300 different hollies from around the world was originally offered to N. c. State University which declined. Sandhills Horticultural Gardens was created in order to accept this unique gift.

We continued our stroll on raised pier-like walkways in the Native Wetlands Garden. Fred and Mac were always ready to answer our questions about the plants, pruning styles, or garden design. We shared the gardens with some visiting artists from England who were scattered about sketching.

Mac recalled his student days there. The beginning students all start their day by sweeping all the garden walkways.

Then, we drove a short distance to the home of Dr. and Mrs. McClain. The bonsai, artful arrangement of stepping stones, and the simple water fountain at the entrance all give hint to the greater delights in the backyard. The Japanese style and theme continues with use of a dry rock "stream", tea house, and many low-profile plants.

But the focal point of beauty is the large traditional Japanese rock garden. It contained several rock islands surrounded by carefully tended pebble ripples. The McClains also showed us their home which is decorated in an Oriental style. We lingered and enjoyed the home and garden; but, lunch plans forced our departure.

The group enjoyed a meal in nearby Aberdeen. By now, this group has been slowly transformed into a band of friends who have shared a day of lovely gardens. We returned to Raleigh by approximately 4PM.

As I drove home, I was concerned about how I would feel about seeing my own humble, little garden. My garden consists of a hodgepodge of plants gathered by trading, gleaning, and as gifts from family. The garden art is a mixture of purchased and found items. How would this little patch look after all the carefully tended and designed gardens seen earlier in the day? Aah, relief, my little garden still looks good to me.

* Debrah Brogden is a 1974 graduate of NCSU where she majored in English. She is a memember of the Japan Center's First Thursday Club. She recently took early retirement from her state government job in order to persue her interests in travel. She likes old Japanese unbrellas, hats, and meeting people from around the world.

* Dr. McClein, who is a vivid golf fan, moved from Virginia to Pinehurst. With a Japanese gardener, he works on his garden at least 3 times a week, as well as daily zen meditation. His kitchen shows a Noren (a Japanese tapestry) with Japanese kanji character symbolizing zen. When visiting his house, a small animal crossed in front of the car. Since it was gone in a flash, we debated if it was a squirrel or a fox. Mr. McClein settled our debate naming our mystery critter a fox-squirrel. It looks like miniature fox.

Animazement

Tami Takamiya

Japanese Anime (Comics) culture was the main attraction at the fifth Animazement ( http://www.animazement.org ), held in RTP Sheraton Imperial Hotel between May 24 and 26. Booths selling Anime books, videos, posters, and etc. filled the main hall. In other rooms, fans that were mostly young Americans intently watched and attended Anime movies, video games featuring Anime characters, presentations by Japanese animators, and other demonstrations. It was quite a sight to see people walking in CosuPure, a Japanese word derived from "costume play" meaning dressing up like an Anime character. In Japanese Anime, a lot of the characters have defined facial features, blonde hair, and long arms and legs, which are NOT normal Japanese features. Although when the American fans, who naturally have these features, dress up in CosuPure, I can't help a feeling of unbalance and something unnatural about it.

Fans engulfed in Anime movies, which were in no way created with foreign audiences in mind, in Japanese with English subtitles seemed to reach a place beyond the differences in the cultures. Attending this festival, I saw the changed American views towards Japan from the times when Japan was desperately selling manufactured products to U.S., and realized that it is going to keep on changing.

* Mr. William Barry attended the CosuPure before. "Would I like to try it again? Definitely! After my last attempt failed to snag a prize, I'm eager for a shot at redemption! I've got a couple of good ideas, but they will require the assistance of others, AND a good costumer as well. I can't sew a decent stitch to save my life! Hey... would YOU like to help me?" [Bill]