For that Special Someone, on a Special Day

FREE
12
2012 DEC
vol. 17
JQR TOP I N TERVIEW
Interview with Rod Lappin,
Executive Chairman of
NEC Lenovo Group Japan
［FEATURE］Gifts Made in Japan
For that Special Someone,
on a Special Day
JQR FASHION
NEW
The Luster of Beautifully-Crafted Modernism
Leading Doctors Discuss Modern Longevity
NEW Ichigo-ichie̶one word, one picture̶a moment with Yasuko Senshu
eng.jqrmag.com
December 2012
(published on
Nov 25, 2012)
C OV E R
Photography/Satoru Naito
C O N T E N T S
07 Japan Undercover Hiroyuki Abe
09 Other Eyes and Ears HAMAJI Michio
10
Gifts Made in Japan
For that Special
Someone,on a
Special Day
● LaQ ● Negoro Nichigetsu Tray ● Tea Caddy
● Brazier ● Nambu Cast Iron Hikifune ● Teapot
● Kamakura-bori Lacquer ware ● Robot by Noriyuki Shimura
● Precision Tops ● Travel Bag ● Kimono Scarf
22
26
JQR TOP INTERVIEW
Interview with Rod Lappin,
Executive Chairman of
NEC Lenovo Group Japan
FASHION
ADJUSTABLE COSTUME
The Luster of Beautifully-Crafted
Modernism
38
NEW Leading Doctors Discuss Modern Longevity
Department of Urology, Jikei
University School of Medicine
Shin Egawa, Professor
42
Brand Debut!!
Tosayama Ginger Ale
44
Touring the Festivals of Japan
49
NEW
Yagorō-don Matsuri in Ōsumi-cho
Ichigo-ichie̶one word,
one picture̶a moment
with Yasuko Senshu
Publisher and Editor-in-Chief Jun Shinozuka
Editors
Jun Nakaki
Christine Lavoie-Gagnon
51 The Shirano Theater
JQR editorial department
2-1-14 Sarugakucho, Chiyoda-ku
Tokyo 101-0064
03-3518-2270
Dai Furusawa
Michael Konin Kato
JQR advertising department
Lyu nari
2-1-14 Sarugakucho, Chiyoda-ku
Tokyo 101-0064
03-3518-4488
Designer
Wakako Kawasaki
Translation
Manabiya Inc.
HIROYUKI ABE
An inside look at what makes Japan tick
Japan
Undercover
vol. 1
vol.2
Miraculous Oysters
I m sure you ve never tasted oysters as
one of their test products̶smoked
rich as these before, bursting with a
oysters, olive oil-packed oysters, deep-
rustic flavor that s hard to forget.
fried scallop patties̶has a wonderful
I was in Nishimōne, Karakuwa-cho in
rich taste which instantly convinced me
the city of Kesennuma, Miyagi
that these products have incredible
Prefecture when I tasted these
competitive potential.
miraculous oysters. I had come there to
According to project director Eiichi
hear from Peace Nature Lab, an NPO
Yoshinaga, the food processing
engaged in the restoration of the town s
workshop will be completed in
marine product industry, which had
December, with manufacturing and sales
taken a devastating blow from the East
due to commence in the new year. In
Japan Disasters.
future they plan to open a direct sales
Oyster and scallop cultivation has been
store as well. Something I found deeply
a flourishing industry in Kesennuma ever
interesting were the plans to conduct
since the Taisho period (1912-1926).
hands-on tours for children. The idea is
The area became famous in the
that children will explore the forest, river
aftermath of the East Japan disaster,
and sea and learn how we humans owe
when the well-known Louis Vuitton
our existence to an abundant ecosystem,
brand threw its support behind two
and be asked to make a picture book
organizations engaged in oyster
about their experiences. Children
cultivation, Kaki no Mori wo Shitau Kai
learning in this way should grow up into
(Rebuilding from Land to Sea) and the
adults who respect the natural
incorporated NPO Mori wa Umi no
environment.
Koibito (Forests are Lovers of the Sea),
The circle of supporters of Peace Nature
led by Shigeatsu Hatakeyama. There s a
Lab s activities is steadily growing wider,
story behind Louis Vuitton s support: fifty
with local financiers, architects and
years ago, when oysters in Brittany were
lawyers at the center of a plan to open a
greatly affected by sickness, seed
restaurant in Nishimōne. When I returned
oysters from Miyagi were sent to France.
to Tokyo I told Peace Nature Lab about
This was a way of returning the favor.
a company with an internet department
Mori wa Umi no Koibito operates by the
store that sells products from disaster
motto that the blessings of a bountiful
hit areas. I hope that this helps to
sea are supported by abundant forests,
quickly increase the availability of
and therefore in order to raise delicious
Sanriku oysters throughout Japan.
oysters they plant trees on Mount
I can tell from the expressions on the
Murone, upstream of the Ōkawa river
faces of those who eat these miracle
that feeds into Kesennuma Bay.
oysters from Nishimōne that it is
Peace Nature Lab is attempting to
possible for ripples from the task of
create employment by processing
reconstruction to spread across the
oysters and scallops raised in the
country and around the world. How
beautiful bay at Karakuwachi-cho and
amazing!
Nishimōne Bay
Washing the oysters
Oil-packed oysters
selling them throughout Japan. Every
After graduating from Keio University with an economics degree, earned a Master's degree in international relations from the
International University of Japan. Worked in the business section of Fuji Television covering the then Ministry of Trade and
Industry and Ministry of Finance, responsible for business and economic issues. Following stints heading the station's NY bureau, as a News Japan
newscaster, and head of the business and economics section, is now a commentator.
Hiroyuki Abe
07
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Other Eyes and Ears
耳
The
Boston
異
異目
Green Tea Party
>>>
Vol.1
Vol.2
The Boston Green Tea Party
In world history classes Japanese learn
mean to revel . If you know this then
descriptions of it in the Japanese
about the Boston Chakai Jiken, which
you can understand that calling it a
national history text Nihon Kōki (815).
was an iconic event during the
Cha Jiken , or Tea Incident , is more
Asia was the ancient cradle of tea, but
American Revolution. It is called this,
appropriate.
now this drink is found all over the
we were taught, because rebels
Hence the Tea Party, the conservative
world. It is known as cha, shai, cay or
boarded British ships anchored in
movement named after the Boston Tea
jha in places where it was disseminated
Boston Harbor and dumped boxes of
Party that was in the news during the
by overland routes̶such as China and
the East India Company s cargo of tea
American presidential elections, would
the Middle East̶or te, tea, thé and
into the harbor in protest at the high
be a Tea Political Party .
thee in Western Europe where it arrived
taxes that were part of the British
Given that the Boston Tea Incident
by sea. The story of tea is indeed a
government s colonial policies.
resulted from a trade conflict with the
deeply fascinating tale of a product that
Be that as it may, the question arises
British, it is generally assumed that the
has been global since ancient times.
as to why a tea ceremony, or chakai,
tea in question must have been black,
Incidentally, Okakura Tenshin, the
would be held at such a time of crisis.
but in fact it was green tea. Black tea
Japanese scholar who asserted that
A little bit of research, however, will
is produced from green tea by oxidizing
Asia is one and was head of the
reveal that the phrase chakai jiken is
the tealeaves. Experimental production
Asian art division at the Museum of
a mistranslation. If you say the word
of black tea began in 1839 in Assam,
Fine Arts in Boston, wrote a book in
party to a Japanese it will be
India, so the Boston Tea Party, which
English, published in 1906, called The
interpreted first of all to mean a social
occurred in 1773, couldn t have
Book of Tea.
gathering , when in fact party can also
involved black tea.
mean a political party, as in the
As for the origins of tea itself, there are
Republican GOP (Grand Old Party) or
records of tea drinking from the
Democratic Party. Party can also
mythological ages in China, and
HAMAJI Michio
International business consultant. Part-time lecturer at the Bunkyo University Faculty of International Studies.
After graduating with a degree in economics from Keio University in 1965, studied at a foreign trade college before taking up a post in the Middle East
in charge of oil for a trading company. At the age of forty-five, launched a new career in the information business and moved to New York. Following
jobs at a translation company and Japanese-US communications firm, chose the path of self-employment in 2002. Set up the Saudi Arabian pavilion at
the Aichi Expo. Has worked on a series of music videos on renowned conductor Leonard Bernstein. Japanese advisor to firms such as U.S. information
systems company Cognizant and U.K. educational publisher Pearson.
2012 Dec
09
JQR SPECIAL
Gifts Made in Japan
For that Special Someone,
on a Special Day
On the heels of Christmas comes the New Year-December is an exciting time for everyone.
Here we offer a collection of carefully selected, made-in-Japan gifts,
sure to please the giver, and delight the recipient.
Photos/Satoru Naito
Stylist/Masumi Hiruma
LaQ
● Yoshiritsu Oyodo-cho, Nara
Building blocks to engross children and adults alike.
LaQ blocks can be used to create everything from a realistic
tyrannosaurus, to chimpanzees and stag beetles. With the popular
LaQ blocks, you can have fun making more complex shapes than
with traditional stacking blocks, and they also help to enhance brain
development in children. The LaQ Basic 2400 Colors
set includes 2,400 pieces plus movable parts called Hamacron,
while the LaQ Imaginal Girls set includes parts for creating
headbands and purses.
● Yoshiritsu Tel. 042-382-3955
Text/JQR
★ LaQ Basic 2400 Colors ￥16,800
★ LaQ Imaginal Series Girls set ￥5,040
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2012 Dec
2012 Dec
11
For that Special Someone,on a Special Day
Negoro Nichigetsu Tray
● Hirosawa Shitsugei, Niigata City, Niigata
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Tea Caddy
● Kaikado, Kawaramachi, Kyoto
A compact serving tray of lustrous beauty
Famous yet practical, simple yet beautiful
This beautiful serving tray, burnished to a deep vermillion, is small enough to carry, and the perfect size for a
Kaikado began making tea caddies in 1875, using tin brought over from England.
few drinks between intimate friends.
While the form couldn t be simpler, the dual-layer structure provides an excellent seal, and requires 130 steps to create.
The base is embellished with images of waxing and waning moon, making it the ideal addition to any interior.
Provides your tea with airtight protection from humidity. Other models available for coffee and pasta.
★ Negoro Nichigetsu Tray D600 × H300mm ¥231,000 ★ Tea Caddy Copper 120g D81 × H78mm ¥9,450 Flat Tin 200g D92 × H110mm ¥10,500 Tall Brass 200g D78 × H136mm ¥10,500 ● Hirosawa Shitsugei Tel. 025-222-5350
● Kaikado Tel. 075-351-5788
2012 Dec
2012 Dec
13
For that Special Someone,on a Special Day
Brazier
● FUJI Kobo, Narusawamura, Yamanashi
A traditional design inheritance
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Nambu Cast Iron Hikifune Teapot
● Iwachu, Morioka City, Iwate
Modernism from a 400-year-old tradition
The Hikifune teapot, used in the café of New York s Museum of Modern Art, basis its design on the image a boat being pulled onto
With its dovetailed corners and handles of black persimmon wood, this brazier inherits many aspects of traditional design.
shore by fishermen. Because of the superior insulating properties of Nambu cast iron, tea is slower to cool, making this teapot ideal
300-year-old ash wood presents an exquisite grain. The joiner carefully finishes this luxurious piece in lacquer
for when you ve forgotten the time over a lively chat.
★ Brazier W500 × D500 × H400mm ¥520,000
★ Hikifune Teapot W12.5 × D19.5 × H14.5mm 3 colors (Matte black, matte reddish-brown, and matte green) Each ¥9,450
● FUJI Kobo Tel. 0555-85-2491
● Iwachu Tel. 019-635-2501
2012 Dec
2012 Dec
15
For that Special Someone,on a Special Day
Kamakura-bori Lacquer ware
● Atelier Sunsho (Napkin holder)
Atelier Seiya (Tray, chopsticks) Atelier Endo (Chopstick rest)
Atelier Hasegawa (Cup) Atelier Hinata (Sushi plate)
Kamakura City, Kanagawa With this traditional craft, attachment grows with use
Kamakura-bori lacquer ware has a nearly 800-year history. Even today, every tray and saucer is made completely by hand. The base wood is carved,
then carefully finished in lacquer. Beautiful, but also sturdy and long-lasting. This wonderful addition to the dining table makes a perfect gift.
★ Napkin holder: Old wood is hollowed out, then decorated with carving. Atelier Sunsho, ￥5,500 (w/o napkin).
★ Tray: One side covered in red fabric, the other in a flowing black sword-strike pattern, offering different uses depending on the food being served.
Atelier Seiya, ￥23,100.
★ Chopsticks: Designed with flair, in the tradition of the Kamakura warrior. Atelier Seiya, ￥3,800.
★ Chopstick rest: Designed to represent a stone that s been rounded off as it tumbles downstream. Atelier Endo, ￥11,500 (set of five).
★ Cup: This Zelkova cup features a sword-strike pattern on the lower half, above which is a pattern of small circles. Atelier Hasegawa, ￥10,164.
★ Sushi plate: This plate is designed to enhance the beauty of any food presentation. Atelier Hinata, ￥19,635.
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2012 Dec
2012 Dec
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For that Special Someone,on a Special Day
Robot by Noriyuki Shimura
● Robert Yellin Gallery, Ginkakuji-mae, Kyoto
A treasure to give an adult who s left treasures behind
18
Precision Tops
● BRANCH, Ota-ku, Tokyo
Ceramicist Noriyuki Shimura created this robot as a sort of offhand piece of art.
Tiny tops filled with small factory craftsmanship
But the depth of its colors and its sense of solemnity make it something special.
These precisely-balanced tops, tooled on special machines, are so stable as to hardly seem moving, and a flick of the finger will keep them
The playful spirit behind this robot reminds one somehow of a long-lost treasure of childhood.
going for three minutes or more. Smaller than a one-yen coin, these little tops will put up a furious fight when set loose atop the Coma Base.
★ Robot, ¥100,000
★ KENKA COMA#1 D10 × H15mm ¥1,680 ★ KENKA COMA#2 D10 × H15mm ¥1,680 ★ COMA BASE ¥7,350
● Robert Yellin Yakimono Gallery (Kyoto) Tel. 075-708-5581
● BRANCH（http://store.branchproducts.com/）
2012 Dec
2012 Dec
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For that Special Someone,on a Special Day
Travel Bag
● SONICBANG Co., Ltd., (Tabisuketabizo）Kamakura City, Kanagawa
● Shion, Kita-ku, Tokyo
A reliable bag that will hold just about anything
Beautifully-patterned kimono reborn as scarves
A simple canvas Boston bag without dividers or pockets. You can stuff it with anything, making it perfect for those who like
Vintage kimono are reused to create these Japanese-style scarves. The beautiful prints are cut, then colors, patterns, and
to dig around to find stuff. Light and sturdy, and water-resistant to keep out the rain. Just the thing for your next trip.
★ Otabiyama Tabisuke 1827g W750 × D350 × H360mm Four colors (Red, Black, White, Brown) each ¥50,000.
● SONICBANG Tel. 0467-22-8881
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Kimono Scarf
2012 Dec
materials combined in perfect balance, before each is sewn by hand.
★ Kimono scarf: Material: Silk, cotton, polyester. From \3,150 each.
● Recycled Kimono Scarves by Shion Tel. 03-3909-3392
2012 Dec
21
S P E C I A L
I N T E R V I E W
Diversity and Mutual Respect:
Keys to Success
Japanese Major
Consumer Electronics
Companies have lost
Global Reach
Australian Executive Chairman of
Lenovo Japan, Rod Lappin, has had
an affinity with Japan for a long
time. He first came in 1986 then did
more than a few stays before he
landed in his Roppongi Hills' office in
2008. His sister has also been living
here for nine years so the love for
Japan is a family thing. He describes
himself as "Mr. Fixer." Having
worked in the technology field for
over 18 years, he has always been the
one on call to solve problems around
Asia and especially in Japan. One of
his biggest achievement was the tieup with NEC a year ago. Lenovo is
now number one PC maker in Japan
with 27.2% market share, as well as
in China with 34%, and in India with
16.9%. Busy with all these results
announcements, Rod Lappin still
took some time to share with JQR
his views on the Japanese PC market
along with its challenges.
- I was hired here by Lenovo but for
a job in Singapore and I came back in
2008 right after the "Lehmann crisis."
It was good to come back with fresh
with 27.2% market share.
The main challenge when taking
over the Japan business was culture
difference. I mean not Japanese to
Foreign culture differences, Lenovo
here employs mostly Japanese people.
Company culture differences are the
most difficult challenge to deal with.
NEC PC has a very strong data and
planning background, as Lenovo is
more to execution and speed. NEC
PC has a lot of process, as Lenovo
is empowering people with decision
making. At first working together
was not easy, but I think we are
complementing each other very
well now. They know the Japanese
market more than anyone else, they
understand the Japanese consumers
perfectly.
We had launched in the consumer
market before the joint-venture, as
complete new-comers and it was very
difficult to start from scratch. With the
long heritage that NEC PC has here
and their strong customer relationship,
which is extremely important in Japan,
the joint-venture was key to develop
quickly and steadily. On the other
hand, we brought speed and global
Interview with Rod Lappin,
Executive Chairman of
NEC Lenovo Group Japan
Photo ／ Tomoya yakai Text ／ JQR
eyes to have a look of the business. We
were quite successful at that time in
Japan.We went from 3% market share
to 8.2% three years later. So with
this gain and the confidence that the
company had with the team here, we
went on to a joint-venture with NEC.
Now we are #1 PC company in Japan
22
2012 Dec
reach. NEC PC was just in Japan, so
now they can make use of our global
supply chains and networks.
"Difficult" is not the word I'd use to
describe working together with a
different company culture. I would
rather talk about "patience" because
you definitely need a lot of it! Our
partner is a little bit more conservative
2012 Dec
23
S P E C I A L
and looks at things in a different way
than we do. I like to take risks and
see what happens, NEC PC is 90%
planning and 10% execution, but I
am definitely 90% execution and 10%
planning! So we are complementing
each other quite well. Mutual respect
is the most important factor to be
able to listen to the other, understand
each point of view and come to a right
answer. It's good! It has definitely
brought a new level of diversity to our
original management team.
Both our companies are almost 100%
made of Japanese employees, so
unlike some other foreign firms, all
our meetings and communications are
conducted in Japanese, so we avoid
any language misunderstanding. The
differences are more on the approach,
the process, the decision making, etc.
I personally speak the language too,
which certainly facilitates management.
"Nemawashi" before meetings adds
complexity for a Westerner
The nuances are very important here.
You have a lot of decision making done
before you actually get to the meeting.
There is a lot of pre-wiring in Japan,
where in America or Australia you
go to the meeting to make a decision.
I don't think it is slowing down the
process, but from a westerner's
perspective, it adds a lot of complexity.
It works totally ok in Japan of course,
but when you're looking for the speed I
am talking about, you want everybody
in the same room, take a decision, then
when people leave that room, that's
what will be followed. Here I found
that often people still want to change
that decision afterwards and you have
to make sure you manage that. So
what we have been doing and works
pretty well is that we've been very
open with each other on expectations.
As long as everyone knows exactly
what is on the agenda and what sort
of decision we want to make, no one
gets surprised when they arrive at
the meeting and we can then be very
effective and make commitments that
make us move forward.
Diversity is important
I like a very diverse management team.
When I arrived here the demographic
of the leadership team was effectively
the same: Japanese men, between
the age of 35 to 55, all commercial
guys of one company background,
one mentality in total. At that time,
we were going to enter the consumer
market with our trendy netbook and
the target was women from 16 to
34! So you can imagine what would
have happened around a table trying
to choose product colors! I changed
the management team and put in a
lot of diversity, which I think is very
important in all cultures. We now have
people with consumer background,
women managers, foreigners, people
from various backgrounds. NEC PC's
team on itself is not very diverse, but
blended as a group, it brings a strong
traditional Japanese culture into a
foreign global company culture, with a
mixture of demographics of people, all
this is perfect when you want to think
differently in a market that has not
been doing great.
The biggest challenge I have now in
Japan is the consumer market. It has
not been growing at all. When the
government sponsors with "eco-points"
incentives on flat screen TVs, people
go to the retail stores and while they
are there, they buy other things. This
helped us to recover quite quickly
after the disaster last year. But this
year as the program has stopped,
people no longer go to the retail stores.
When you look at year-on-year data
the PC market is nearly down by 14%
compared to last year. Smart phones
and tablets are not replacing PCs as
they come as "extras" to the PC, but
their purchase definitely affects the
consumer's wallet.
Learning from high-level services
The service level in Japan is incredible.
It has to be the highest in the world.
And what is difficult with this is not
to have your teams manage it, it's to
explain it globally to the rest of the
Lenovo Group. For example, when we
joined with NEC PC, they told us we
24
2012 Dec
I N T E R V I E W
needed a free-for-life telephone service.
That is if you buy a product from us
now you can still call us any time even
way past warranty and get free advise.
You won't see that from most global
companies. Another example is when
Lenovo sends over a PC, it comes in a
box primarily designed to protect the
PC itself during freight. But in Japan,
the box has to be as immaculate as the
product! That's really hard for people
outside Japan to understand. We have
a re-boxing service here in case a
cardboard box has a scuff on it. We
will re-box that product to perfection
before it goes to the retailer because
the Japanese consumer wants that
level of perfection. Where in the US
that would not be a problem, because
people want the PC, they don't care
about the box.
If you learn from the very demanding
Japanese consumer standards and
you're a good global company, you
can try to drop them into the rest of
the world and have a superior level
of services. At Lenovo we take a lot
of learnings from Japan. For example,
we have two product development
teams here, Yamato, our partner
that engineered the ThinkPad since
it's launch in 1992, and the NEC PC
development team. We combined them
to create our Japan Development
Organization and they now design
products for the entire world. We
also do best practice sharing globally
and a lot of ideas from Japan are
implemented in other countries.
The domestic PC market is crowded
with competitors!
will really miss the cultural aspects of
Japan.
There is a great retail market here, it's
very busy, because there are so many
players! This is one thing about Japan
that is different to a lot of parts of the
world, as the local PC market is shared
by a great number of competitors. It's
very hard for foreign firms to compete
on consumer electronics here. Lenovo
on it's own would have had quite a
hard time and that is why the jointventure with NEC was so good for us.
Combined now we are number one!
On a personal level I think that
living and working here is extremely
convenient. People are so polite, I often
joke with my friends saying that if you
stop your car right in the middle of
the road, no one will toot you: they'll
rather think "oh the poor guy must
have a terrible problem!" If you do
that anywhere else in the world, you'll
have all the cars behind tooting, some
big guy will come out and bang at
your window! When I leave this time I
Japanese PC makers should globalize
One think I really want is Japan
to get better. My first electronic
products were all Japanese! Japan
was unbelievably innovative. "Japan
= technology" I think is still true. A
lot of PC parts still come from Japan.
Many car companies or consumer
electronics companies still buy a lot
of their material from Japan. But for
some reasons major players here have
been so busy focusing on the domestic
market that they've lost their global
reach and they've been beaten by
competitors from other countries. I
personally believe that they need to
globalize more, they need to diversify.
PROFILE
Roderick Lappin has been Executive
Director of Global Sales for Asia
Pacific at Dell for several years before
joining Lenovo in 2007. After a year
in Singapore for the firm, he was
appointed President of Lenovo Japan
and now acts as Executive Chairman
of Lenovo NEC Holdings. He was born
in Melbourne and grew up in Sydney,
Australia, but has spent most of his
career life outside his country and
mainly in Japan where he actually
resides with his wife and 3 daughters.
2012 Dec
25
FASHION
The Luster of ADJUSTABLE COSTUME
Beautifully-Crafted
Modernism
Photo ／ Kenzo Miura、Text ／ Shozo Izuishi Model ／ Michiharu Saotome
Designer Kazuki Kodaka s
philosophy is clear-cut:
I only make the clothes
I d want to wear.
Those clothes are an homage to
the styles of the 1930s.
A fleeting decade of peace
caught between two world wars-What one might call
The good old days.
Kazuki Kodama is about to take flight
on the wings of that 30s look.
Double-breasted eight-button blazer, or perhaps more
properly, a reefer jacket. It smells of the sea.
AJ-017-B / Royal Navy Marine Jacket #NAVY / ¥75,390
AS-033 / Round Collar Cleric Shirt #CHECK / ¥18,690
ANT-001 / Jacquard Neck Tie #DOT / ¥8,925
AP-007 / 20's Style Trousers #WHITE / ¥28,140
ASH-001 / Chukka Boots #BLACK / ¥54,390
*Pocket square is model s own*
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2012 Dec
2012 Dec
27
A wine-red knit jacket.
Three patch pockets give it a sporting air.
AK-004 / Knit VITO-Jacket #WINE / ¥41,790
AP-001 / 20's Style Trousers #BLACK / ¥22,890
*Shirt and necktie are model s own*
A well-fitted jacket paired with loosely draped trousers,
gathered in the back for a classic look.
AJ-019-B / 3B Pinchback Style Suit #BLACK / ¥120,540
AS-007 / Long Point Collar Classic Shirt #RED / ¥16,590
ANT-003 / Jacquard Neck Tie #CHECK / ¥8,925
APC-002 / Jacquard Pocketchif #PAISLEY / ¥4,410
AHT-000 / Front Pinch Felt Dress Hat #BLACK / ¥14,490
ASH-001 / Chukka Boots #BLACK / ¥54,390
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2012 Dec
2012 Dec
29
Leather jacket tailored Kazuki Kodaka style.
The look says biker, but with elegance.
AL-003 / 40's Style Belted Leather Sports Jacket #BLACK / ¥166,740
AS-007 / Long Point Collar Classic Shirt #RED / ¥16,590
ASH-001 / Chukka Boots #RED / ¥54,390
*Necktie is model s own*
30
2012 Dec
Blouson-style sport jacket.
Zipper up, or zipper down for a different look.
AJ-018 / Ray Style Sport Jacket #SHARKSKIN / ¥44,940
AS-007 / Long Point Collar Classic Shirt #RED / ¥16,590
AP-007 / 20's Style Trousers #WHITE / ¥28,140
AC-020 / 20's Style Casquette #WHITE / ¥8,190
*Necktie, shoes are model s own*
2012 Dec
31
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2012 Dec
A nostalgic hunting jacket
becomes something chic in Kodaka s hands.
Double-breasted navy waistcoat.
A perfect rendering of a classic style.
AJ-010 / 20's French Style Wool Hunting Jacket #BLACK / ¥56,490
AOA-001 / Bib Overall #BLACK / ¥44,940
ASH-001 / Chukka Boots #RED / ¥54,390
ANT-004 / Jacquard Bow Tie #CHECK / ¥8,925
*Shirt, corsage are model s own*
AV-007 / Double Breasted Waistcoat #NAVY / ¥30,240
AS-032 / Long Point Collar Cleric Shirt #STRIPE / ¥18,690
AP-010 / Oxford Buggs #SHARKSKIN / ¥27,090
ASH-001 / Chukka Boots #BLACK / ¥54,390
*Necktie, corsage are model s own*
2012 Dec
33
34
2012 Dec
The marine look is one of this year s themes.
Paired with dazzling white, baggy flannel trousers.
This 1930s-style smoking jacket features a beautiful plaid
on the revival collar and cuffs.
AJ-017-B / Royal Navy Marine Jacket #NAVY / ¥75,390
AS-033 / Round Collar Cleric Shirt #CHECK / ¥18,690
ANT-001 / Jacquard Neck Tie #DOT / ¥8,925
AP-007 / 20's Style Trousers #WHITE / ¥28,140
ASH-001 / Chukka Boots #BLACK / ¥54,390
*Pocket square is model s own*
AJ-011 / 30's Style Wool Smoking Jacket #BLACK / ¥59,640
AS-007 / Long Point Collar Classic Shirt #RED / ¥16,590
ANT-003 / Jacquard Neck Tie #CHECK / ¥8,925
AP-010 / Oxford Buggs #SHARKSKIN / ¥27,090
ASH-001 / Chukka Boots #BLACK / ¥54,390
*Corsage is model s own*
2012 Dec
35
Sports jacket in a wine-toned tweed,
with finely-tailored shoulders.
AJ-003 / Pinchback Style Jacket #WINE / ¥61,740
AP-007 / 20's Style Trousers #WHITE / ¥28,140
AC-020 / 20's Style Casquette #WHITE / ¥8,190
APC-002 / Jacquard Pocketchif #CHECK / ¥4,410
ASH-001 / Chukka Boots #BLACK / ¥54,390
*Shirt, corsage are model s own*
This leather jacket, reminiscent of those once favored by aviators,
Is crafted of the finest goat skin.
AL-002 / 30's Style Goat Skin Aviator Short Jacket #BROWN / ¥145,740
AP-006 / 20's Style Trousers #BROWN ¥27,090
ASH-001 / Chukka Boots #BROWN / ¥54,390
AC-021 / 20's Style Casquette #BROWN / ¥8,190
AG-001 / Leather Gloves #CAMEL / ¥17,640
*Shirt, necktie are model s own*
KAZUKI KODAKA
Born September 8, 1974 in Saitama Prefecture.
1995 graduate of the Apparel Design Department
of Bunka Fashion College
Established Kodaka Kikaku in April 2011.
Brand: ADJUSTABLE COSTUME
36
2012 Dec
2012 Dec
37
頴
Leading Doctors Discuss Modern Longevity (Part 1)
At the Forefront of the
Upsurge in Prostate Cancer
Shin Egawa, Professor
Department of Urology, Jikei University School of Medicine
川
The prostate gland is unique to men. The number of prostate cancer patients has
surged over the past twenty years, and as we face an increasingly aged society,
that number is expected to grow further. Dr. Shin Egawa, Senior Professor and
Chairman of the Department of Urology at Jikei University School of Medicine,
who also serves as chairman of the Scientific Committee of the Urological
Association of Asia, is an authority on prostate cancer.
JQR spoke with him about the issue.
Photos/Satoru Naito Interview/JQR
it also becomes difficult to treat if it has
through the outer membrane of the
symptoms in its early stages. By the
spread to the bones. In such cases, the
prostate, and escape from there. Leaving
time symptoms appear due to pressure
survival rate after five years was once
even one such cell behind will mean a
on the urethra, the disease has already
around 20%, but that has improved, and
recurrence of the cancer, though strictly
advanced. At the same time, it was
has now been extended another two
speaking not in every case. We have
once commonly assumed that urination
years.
to expect that some cancer cells have
becomes more difficult as one ages,
When asked for the meaning of radical
gotten away, and if that likelihood is
since over one-third of men 40 and over
treatment, Dr. Egawa replied, One that
high, we work around that area with the
suffers from an enlarged prostate. The
will enable the patient to live to 100.
goal of fully excising the cancer.
urethra runs through the middle of the
The operation is not the last we see of
Incidentally, Dr. Egawa notes that
prostate, so when prostatic enlargement
the patient. It s the start of a life-long
even after the most thorough testing,
puts pressure on the urethra, this can
relationship, and we are always planning
a different situation may await once
weaken the urine stream. Since this
for the next step. Really, the treatment
the patient is opened up. In the end, it
happened even to the grandpa next
itself is tailored to the patient. In the old
comes down to on-the-spot decisions. In
door, most people didn t think anything
days, surgery was surgery, radiation
reality, it is rare that surgery proceeds
of it.
was radiation, and they were each
according to the original plan. While
Dr. Egawa specializes in cancer of the
handled separately, but today, treatment
ideally we d certainly like things to go as
prostate. The incidence of prostate
plans are coordinated to include
expected, we also need to be prepared
cancer began to rise over the past 20
everything from hormone treatments to
for the unexpected.
years, and according to statistics, the
chemotherapy.
The prostate gland is unique to men.
Prostate cancer demonstrates no
晋
number of deaths in Japan has gone
PROFILE
Shin Egawa. Born 1957 in Shizuoka
Prefecture. Professor and Chairman,
Department of Urology at Jikei Medical
University. After graduating from Iwate
Medical University, served as assistant
professor in the Department of Urology
at the Kitasato University School of
Medicine, and as guest professor at
Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer
Center in the U.S., before assuming his
current position in April of 2004.
Dr. Egawa specializes in urologic
oncology, particularly radical
laparoscopic surgery and chemotherapy
for prostate cancer.
38
2012 Dec
Located at the exit from the bladder, it
a formidable disease, and the number of
Cancers Have Distinct
Intensities
and Growth Rates
those affected will undoubtedly grow as
The actual operation starts with
motility and increasing the chances
our society ages.
projecting where the cancer lies in
of fertilization. The prostate is about
So what kind of treatment should
the prostate and to what stage it has
the size of a walnut, and damage to
be sought when prostate cancer is
progressed.
the muscles at the tip of the prostate
from around 1,000 people per year in
the 1970s, to almost 11,000 in 2010. It is
discovered?
Not all cancers are alike. There are
is primarily responsible for producing
seminal fluid. This fluid plays an
important role in giving sperm greater
can result in post-surgical urinary
differences in strength and in the
incontinence and other problems. The
the prostate, radical treatment will
speed with which they spread, and the
nerves on the outside of the prostate
target that area. If it has spread, it
potential for success varies with each.
also govern erectile function, making
becomes a more protracted battle, and
A strong cancer may make its way
surgery even trickier.
If the cancer remains limited to within
2012 Dec
39
While prostate cancer s mechanism has gradually been
revealed, methods for prevention have yet to be found.
Cutting away the nerves that control
surgery will likely remain an option,
male functioning results in impotence.
great strides will be made by combining
The nerves are located on both sides
surgery with medication. Still, coming up
of the prostate, so we do our best to
with a way to prevent prostate cancer
preserve 100% of one of the two nerves,
remains difficult.
even if it means leaving only one intact.
This is because the ability to achieve an
Giving Patients Hope by
Shining a Light on What
Lies Ahead
erection is so important to men, and a
source of confidence.
Actually operating while leaving the
nerves in place is not as simple as
Dr. Egawa describes. He notes that
Today, one in three people is affected
the nerves, which are far narrower
by an illness, and as we age, the chances
than a blood vessel, are entangled and
of falling ill increase. It s like waiting
stretched like an amoeba among the
for your number to be called. I once
surrounding blood vessels.
received some words of appreciation
Since the nerves are invisible to the
from the family of a patient who had
eye, the surgeon will work to leave
passed away. He was in the Kansai
behind the blood vessels. The problem is
region when his cancer was discovered,
that he doesn t know how the nerves are
and came to me after being told there
worked into the area, and that is where
was nothing that could be done. I laid
assumptions come into play. He will look
out for him what treatments were
at the cancer s strength and how it has
possible, explaining everything we could
spread, and estimate the possibility of
do at each step in the progression of his
disease. And sure enough, he recovered
from his terminal condition and went on
to live another three years. It all comes
it being found in a particular location.
Stomach cancers and other cancers tha
Since the individual cells are invisible,
are discovered upon autopsy of someone
it becomes a matter of probability. An
who has died of another disease are
MRI will only reveal objects at the five-
called latent cancers, of which prostate
millimeter level. Cells are mere microns
cancer represents a high proportion.
in size, so there s no way to see them.
Latent cancers are said to occur in 30
Surgery proceeds on such assumptions.
percent of both Japanese and Americans
I suppose you could call it instinct, but
50 and older, and today that proportion
this is an area that requires repeated
hasn t changed. However, at Jikei
experience.
University, when we examined latent
Westernized Diets Bring
Western-sized Cancers
40
2012 Dec
cancers from 20 years ago and today,
we found that they have doubled in size.
While the reasons for this are not clear,
it is said that perhaps the Westernization
Westernized diets are behind the
of our diets, with improved nutrition,
increase in prostate cancer in Japan. Dr.
have helped cancers to grow as well.
Egawa also points out that as the use of
This means that going forward, there is
PSA (prostate-specific antigen, a tumor
little doubt that the incidence of cancer
marker) has made testing easier, cancer
will continue to grow in Southeast Asia
has become easier to detect.
and China.
So does this mean we can expect
dramatic changes in the treatment of
prostate cancer?
Research has gradually shed light on
down to milestones. Having been shown
what lay ahead, I think perhaps a light
how prostate cancer forms. It occurs not
came on in his heart, even if only for a
through spontaneous genetic mutation,
short time. And I think that, as medical
surgery, but for the prostate, there is
but when genes combine, a process
professionals, it is very important
still very little that only robotic surgery
called fusion. The problem is that we
that we do not close off any possible
is able to do. That said, I think we
don t know why this fusion occurs.
pathways, that even faced with ultimate
will probably see more and more new
Genes, however, generate proteins,
limitations, we let patients know that
robotic surgery procedures come to the
which have a variety of functions. Then
certain methods are available, that if
fore in the future. For example, if robots
one gene fuses with another. In other
we try one thing it can lead to other
become able to identify nerves that
words, when two genes get together
possibilities.
are invisible to the naked eye, we will
that aren t supposed to, they create all
be able to more accurately target and
kinds of weird proteins that go on to
excise the affected area. This involves
wreak a variety of mischief in the body.
working at the micron level, and more
I think in the future, we ll see a variety
specifically, we may see surgery in
of antibodies against these proteins,
which we identify nerves not by looking
as well as drugs to neutralize them; in
with a microscope, but by lighting up
fact, we see them already in the field
each individual nerve.
of leukemia. Once that happens, I think
Are there any effective ways to avoid
medical care itself will change. While
prostate cancer going forward?
Robots have recently been used in some
2012 Dec
41
JQR Approved!
Brand Debut!!
vol.2
Soda made with Organic JAS Certified ginger packs a punch
Enjoy the true power of
ginger in a richly flavored
ginger ale
Tosayama Ginger Ale
Ginger, with its sharp yet refreshing flavor, is a key
ingredient in cooking. Now ginger takes center stage in a
new ginger ale acclaimed for having flavor with a kick.
Photography: Satoru Naito
Text/JQR Editorial Staff
Name
Tosayama Ginger Ale
Description Non-alcoholic soda
Data
Origin
Tosayama, Kochi Prefecture
Features
Made with Organic JAS Certified ginger
IngredientsPremium: Tosayama organic ginger,
sugar, yuzu citrus juice, red peppers
Mild: Tosayama organic ginger,
sugar, yuzu citrus juice, honey
On Sale
2010 年
Price
01 Premium (350ml) 500 yen
01 Premium (200ml) 350 yen
02 Mild (200ml) 300 yen
Ginger is a key ingredient in cooking.
Grated, it is an essential condiment
for seared bonito or horse mackerel.
Mix it with soy sauce and make a
delicious ginger stir-fried pork. Many
people are surprised that adding
thinly sliced ginger to stews, stir
fries, and soups masks the smell of
meat or fish. Ginger's sharp spiciness
and its distinctive aroma bring out
the flavors of other ingredients,
making dishes more delicious.
Cooking is not the only use for
ginger; it also has health benefits. Its
spicy compound improves blood
circulation and metabolism, and has
bacteria killing properties, while its
aromatic compound has antiinflammatory and detoxifying
properties that relieve fatigue and
stomach problems. Together, these
compounds act as antioxidants, slow
aging and have the potential to help
prevent the onset and progression of
cancer. Ginger is a perennial plant
beneficial to humans, and it has
been used in India and China since
ancient times as both a food and a
medicine.
Ginger grown in rich soil
untainted by pesticides
and chemical fertilizers
Promoting itself as an "organic
village," the mountain settlement of
Tosayama stopped using pesticides
and chemical fertilizers on its
farmland 20 years ago. The area is
still rich in nature and is surrounded
by mountains, with pure streams
flowing through its valleys, so the
locals have a high level of
environmental awareness. They
purify waste water from the local
households using BMW technology,
which uses a natural purification
system, and ensure the soil is always
in good condition. It almost goes
without saying that the ginger they
cultivate under these conditions is
aromatic and spicy.
Tosayama Ginger Ale is produced
using this robust ginger as well as
water from the source of the Kagami
River, which is certified by the
government as one of the "Selected
100 Exquisite and Well-Conserved
Waters."
The moment you take a sip of either
variety--Premium (spicy) or Mild--the
spicy ginger flavor fills your mouth.
The rich aftertaste lingers.
Shake the bottle and see the ginger
powder--the essence of this drink-dancing in the ginger ale.
Kochi Prefecture is the leading
ginger producer in Japan, with the
Tosayama area being famous for
producing high quality ginger.
(top) Pure streams surrounded by thickly
forested mountains flow through Tosayama.
Thriving in the fresh air, the ginger field is
fertilized and irrigated with clear water, with no
added chemicals. (center) Freshly harvested
Tosayama organic ginger is juicy and brilliantly
colored. (bottom) Tosayama organic ginger is
matured in special pots before it is used to
make Tosayama Ginger Ale.
Manufacturer: Yumesanchi Tosayama Development Authority
● Enquiries: Yumesanchi Tosayama Development Authority
088-895-2301 http:// yumesanchi.jp/
42
2012 Dec
2012 Dec
43
Vol.17 Touring the
Festivals of Japan
Annual Parade of the Giant (November 3)
Yagorō-don Matsuri in sumi-cho
Yagorō-don rises up in the
middle of the night. The
giant doll, accompanied
by young people wearing
happi coats, parades
through the town with
Illustrations
and Text/
Kagoshima
Hamakudari
sumi town,
Yagorō-don is followed by a procession
of the shrine gods with banners and
mikoshi (portable shrines).
This person is skilled at
shaking Yagorō-don’s
shoulder to make it seem
as if he is moving.
Literally means to ‘walk
down to the sea’ and
derives from custom of
purifying the body in
seawater. The parade
symbolizes this.
A stick for pushing power
lines out of the way.
Yagorō-don is 4.85
meters in height, but the
old people of the town
say he was much bigger in
the past.
It is said that YagorōThe float is made from a
car body, complete with
brakes for safely going
down slopes.
Shimenawa (sacred straw
ropes) strung throughout
the town.
Fifth grade elementary
school boys from sumicho do the pulling. It’s not
clear why it’s only the fifth
If so, then this
festival would
be to console
the spirit of
Gripping the
A Giant Doll Parades Through the Town
It’s the Yagorō-don festival, and a giant
and in the middle of a dream, when I was
along the way.
asleep.
suddenly awoken at just after one in the
When I arrived, a crowd of young people
At four a.m. Yagorō-don was carried outside
opposite and identifies him as Takenouchi
morning by the sound of a drum beating
wearing happi coats were in the main shrine,
and placed on a float to be pulled up for the
in the midst of a struggle to get Yagorō-don
start of the waking up ritual. A popular belief
doll over four meters tall lumbers through
solemn dignity. I’ve been wanting to see it
no Sukune, a member of the Imperial Court.
on the road outside and a voice calling
the streets of
with my own eyes at least once ever since,
I suppose interpretations tend to differ
“Yagorō-don will awake.” It was the
into his kimono. Apparently this is also an
is that participating in this ritual confers good
Kagoshima Prefecture. The sight has been
and now at last the time has come for my
according to the different sides – the side in
ceremonial drum signaling that the “waking
important ritual. As work progressed, a giant
health and increases good fortune, which is
imprinted in my mind ever since I saw a
dream to be realized.
control, or the side under control. All you can
ritual”, in which Yagorō-don is assembled,
cylinder-like object woven from bamboo
probably why a crowd of men and women of
photograph of the event in a travel magazine
So who, or what, was the original Yagorō-
say is that it’s a common story.
was about to begin at the shrine. Rubbing the
gradually took on a human form. The
all ages had gathered in the shrine grounds
I was in my room at the inn where I was
sleep from my eyes, I set out for the shrine.
moment the face was attached, the goggle
before I knew it. At a signal the crowd pulled
eyes appeared to move slightly and it really
on the rope and Yagorō-don rose to stand
sumi-cho in the city of Sō,
over a decade ago. I was captivated by the
44
oversized figure as it travelled along with
據說是與大和朝廷對抗奮戰的隼
人族首領（眾說紛紜）
don? A number of theories exist. One is that
fierce yet winsome face, with its goggle
he was a chief of the Hayato clan who led a
staying, sleeping peacefully under the
This town may be down south, but midnight
eyes under thick eyebrows, and the air of
failed resistance against the Imperial Court in
influence of the imo jōchū (sweet potato
in late autumn was still cold, so I bought a
did seem as if something was in there. But
straight up against the background of an
melancholy that seemed to hang around the
the ancient Yamato period, another does the
liquor) I’d drunk the previous evening
can of hot coffee from a vending machine
that might have been because I was still half
ultramarine blue night sky. Cries went up
2012 Dec
2012 Dec
45
“Yagorō-don is waking
Yagorō-don starts to take its
form around 2:00 a.m. at the
Iwagawa Hachiman Shrine.
A kimono
is put over
the bamboo
Getting the footholds in
place after standing him up.
The long
and short
swords are
wrapped
At 4:00 a.m. he is attached
to the float and everyone
helps to pull him up.
Pheasant
feathers (the
national
Look up and you will see
Yagorō-don
Team of 6
adults.
lamps!
4.2m
Three-pronged
halberd.
The kimono is made from 310
meters of cloth dyed with
Japanese apricots, a fruit
believed to have the power
of regeneration (nowadays a
chemical dye is used).
The work is completed
by 6:00 a.m.
A Yagorō-don festival is also held in
Here we go!
The bottom half,
Yagorō-don
is made from
bamboo.
But if you say this you’ll get
a stomach ache – or so it’s
believed – so children never
speak these words.
46
Yamanokuchi town,
Miyakonojō City,
Miyazaki Prefecture
(November 3)
sumi town,
Sō City,
Kagoshima
prefecture
(November 3)
They are called the
three brothers,
although they have
the same name…
Hyugo,
Nichinan
City, Miyazaki
Prefecture
(November 23)
Yagarō-don in Yamanokuchi-cho
from the crowd: “Ooh,” “He’s awake,”
After a brief stop, as if to take a look down at
Irrespective of who Yagorō-don originally
【Yagorō-don Matsuri】
【How to get there】
and “Huge!” I was a bit taken aback –
the crowds, the children pulled on the rope
was, this event has definitely grown bigger
Held every year on November 3, and with a tradition
● By public transport
wasn’t this supposed to be the most
and Yagorō-don moved off. One man rode
and bigger, becoming something that
stretching back 900 years, this is one of three major
Take the Miyazaki Kūkōsen bus
important part? But it had only taken one or
on Yagorō-don’s shoulder, holding a stick
encompasses reverence for the souls of
festivals in Kagoshima prefecture. The over five meter tall
from Miyazaki Airport and get off at
two seconds to pull up Yagorō-don. I wish it
to push away the power lines. Apparently in
various people and all kinds of beliefs.
giant doll known as Yagorō-don parades through the city
Miyakonojō Station bus stop.
could have taken a bit longer.
the past they used to actually cut the power
The sound of the drum leading the way
with two swords, 4.2 and 2.85 meters long respectively,
Change to a bus bound for Shibushishi and get off at the Iwagawa bus
Everything up to this point could be called
lines. Those Hayatos of Satsuma are really
hanging from his waist. One theory is that the original
grew fainter and fainter as the somehow
Yagorō-don was chief of the Hayato clan, another is that
stop. Walk about 15 minutes from
the first act, in which case the second act is
something! Every time the man moved, the
melancholy sight of Yagorō-don’s swaying
he was Takenouchi no Sukune, who served the sixth
there.
Emperor. These days people pray to him for good harvests
● By car
and venerate him as a guardian protector deity. Assembly
Exit the Miyazaki Expressway at the
of Yagorō-don starts at one in the morning at the
Miyakonojō interchange, and drive
Iwagawa Hachiman Shrine on the day of the festival, and
about twenty minutes on route 10.
the Hamakudari parade, when Yagorō-don
giant doll swayed to and fro so that it looked
back grew smaller in the distance as it made
ambles through town. Accordingly, at one in
as if it were really walking. The road was
its dignified way through town.
the afternoon he descended the slope from
thronging with people, all excited about this
the shrine and passed through the torii gate.
once a year event – the parade of the giant.
2012 Dec
the Hamakudari parade through town starts from one in
the afternoon.
Four meters tall. Wears
a simple hemp kimono
because he squandered
his fortune on drink and
gambling.
Sō-shi, Ōsumi-cho
2012 Dec
47
Japan and the world as seen and heard by a globetrotting illustrator
Ichigo-ichie̶one word, one picture̶a moment with Yasuko Senshu
千秋育子の
「一語一絵」
Vol.1 A health drink Japan can take pride in
The biannual global Yakult conference
one child after another to infectious
as part of a Korean beauty treatment
was recently held in Kobe, bringing
diseases such as dysentery and Ekiri
and found bottles of Yakult placed on a
together 3,000 outstanding Yakult
(a virulent form of childhood bacterial
table used for business discussions at
Ladies from Japan and across the
dysentery).
a high-end jewelry store in Taiwan's
globe. Yakult is sold in thirty-two
Having witnessed this stark reality first
super high-rise Taipei 101. I've also
countries and regions worldwide, with
hand, Dr. Shirota wanted to improve
spotted and promptly consumed Yakult
global sales now surpassing domestic.
preventive medicine and help as many
at the breakfast buffet of a Singapore
In some countries Yakult lady is a
people as possible to live healthy lives.
hotel, with flavors such as grape and
highly ambitious occupation, with
In 1930, at the microbiology lab of the
orange served in large-size bottles
starting salaries that can exceed those
Kyoto Imperial University School of
unavailable in Japan.
of new university graduates. Some say
Medicine, he discovered a lactobacillus
The shape of the Yakult bottle is
that the Japanese owe their longevity
that reached the intestines alive, and
distinctive, and though it was not
to drinking Yakult.
once there eradicated harmful bacteria.
initially recognized as a three-
What we know as Yakult is, strictly
He succeeded in culturing this
dimensional trademark , following
speaking, the bacterium Lactobacillus
bacterium, which in its commercial form
further deliberation, the Japanese
casei Shirota, discovered by Dr. Minoru
became Yakult .
patent office certified the bottle shape
Shirota. The doctor grew up in the city
The Yakult 400 product sold in Japan
itself as a trademark in 2010.
of Iida in Nagano Prefecture. The city
contains four billion of these L. casei
The bacterium L. casei Shirota
was a place of poverty surrounded by
Shirota bacteria per 80ml bottle,
discovered by Dr. Shirota was a gift
high mountains, and in those days most
making it the strongest lactobacillus
from his heart, and Yakult is a health
families lived hand to mouth and lacked
drink on the market. I have had Yakult
drink Japan can be rightly proud of.
access to proper nutrition, often losing
poured all over my body after exfoliation
Yasuko
Senshu
Illustrator
A leading creator of adorable healing art. Senshu's work, which includes calligraphy pieces that make use of her
Level 7 calligraphic skills, as well as illustrations and essays, is suffused with a universally soothing warmth and
humanity. Senshu's career spans Asia, from the Japan Trump set of playing cards covering famous Japanese
sightseeing spots (supported by the Japan National Tourism Organization), to a sub-brand logo for the Singapore
national tourist bureau, and Indonesian playing cards.
49
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On December 1, 2012, I'll be promoted to the status
probably agree with me on this point. The zenza
of shinuchi, or headline act. I started my rakugo
period is, after all, one of training, and promotion
journey on March 10, 1998, so it has taken me the
to futatsume means liberation from various
best part of fifteen years to reach this milestone.
restrictions. In particular, at closing night parties
In the rakugo world, this is fairly typical. Those
and so on, it would be unthinkable for a zenza to sit
wanting to become a rakugoka (rakugo storyteller)
next to the master and join in on his conversation.
basically choose a teacher or“master”to learn
Or when going on stage, while previously you
from. In some cases people elect to study under
dressed casually, now you can wear a haori jacket,
someone to whom they've been recommended by
or a kimono with a crest; and there are many other
an acquaintance, without ever properly seeing the
welcome changes.
teacher in question perform, but generally the idea
So what changes on advancing to shinuchi status?
is to choose a rakugoka you like and find especially
As I mentioned, you can take on pupils; you can
charismatic.
also appear as the final turn on the rakugo program,
In addition, the rakugoka you choose to study under
or tori. However, shinuchi status also calls for
must have shinuchi status. In other words, once
a great deal of responsibility on the part of the
you've earned headliner status, you can take on
rakugoka, and as such attaining it is hardly cause
pupils. If your request to study under said rakugoka
for unalloyed joy.
is accepted, you become an“apprentice”. After a
Rakugoka do not embark on their apprenticeship
while, you may be deemed capable of succeeding
simply to become a headline act: they do so out
as a rakugoka and achieve the status of zenza, or
of a desire to perform as much of their beloved
warm-up act. This is the moment your training,
rakugo as they can. At the zenza stage they lack
such as backstage work, actually begins. After you
the freedom to do this, and need to advance to
spend some time in this role, and are recognized
futatsume. And so they aim for promotion, and
as a fully-fledged rakugoka--tentatively at least-
their delight when they reach their goal is almost
-you advance to futatsume (junior performer)
palpable.
and eventually shinuchi (headliner). I've used the
However, among the general public, the idea that
phrases“after a while”and“eventually”, but the
fully-fledged rakugoka equals shinuchi persists, so
amounts of time involved vary slightly between
when we do advance to shinuchi those around us
rakugo groups and schools. For instance, at Shiraku,
tend to be happier for us than we are for ourselves.
which is my school, since our founder's death there
Promotion to futatsume brings personal happiness,
have been growing signs that these timeframes are
while promotion to shinuchi pleases those around
becoming more rigid, rather than loosening up in
you. Both are undeniably a cause for celebration.
any way.
Personally, I plan to take the time to fully savor
In terms of the actual joy of promotion, advancing
my promotion to headliner, something I'll only
from zenza to futatsume is actually the most
experience once in my lifetime as a rakugoka.
exhilarating achievement. Most rakugoka would
● Shirano Tatekawa Second-generation apprentice of Danshi Tatekawa. Joined the Tatekawa Shiraku rakugo stable in 1998 and advanced
to futatsume status in July 2003. Is determined to win promotion to star performer this spring! Don t miss his Shirano Daisakusen solo shows,
held regularly every month. Also a subculture aficionado with a regular radio program that allows him to expound exhaustively on the subject.
http://ameblo.jp/st-blog/
2012July
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