jungle book of the dead
Transcription
jungle book of the dead
無料 Oct 16-29, 2015 Japan’s Nº1 English Magazine www.metropolisjapan.com JUNGLE BOOK OF THE DEAD PRADO BRAVADO DIGGING UP SPANISH TREASURES TIMELESS THREADS OUTMODE, OUTDRESS, OUTLAST BAT OUT OF GINZA COFFIN UP DINNER WITH VAMPIRES I’LL BE BACK A LOVE LETTER TO TOKYO PRICELESS Let your Japanese open new doors! FREE TRIAL COURSES AVAILABLE! FIRST LESSON FREE FOR ALL COURSES! (RESERVATIONS REQUIRED) Starting October 10, Hanasaku Japanese Language School—with its exciting and unique approach—will open near Sunshine City in Ikebukuro. The idea behind the school is to create a comfortable environment for learning, one that feels like a Japanese home. With tatami floors and a kotatsu in the lounge—where you can gather to eat mikan—you’ll feel (and taste) the true flavor of Japan! The lounge also offers a place to watch TV or study before classes. Unique Courses ✓ ✓ ✓ Surprising Kanji Business Japanese On-demand Courses Many foreigners have difficulty with kanji, so this course is designed to help you learn kanji that are used in everyday life in a fun and interesting way! Other unique courses include Japanese calligraphy and manga reading. Designed for non-Japanese working in Japan, this course covering Japanese expressions and habits will help you avoid mistakes that could be fatal to your job. The communication gap created by language barriers can lead to lost opportunities and inefficiencies. We offer customized Japanese courses designed to meet each company’s unique needs. Our teachers are very unique, too! Of course they are talented Japanese teachers, but they are much more. After taking their course, you will understand why! Hanasaku JLS http://jls-tokyo.jp [email protected] @hanasakujls www.facebook.com/hanasaku.jls Higashi-Ikebukuro 3-chome Ikebukuro St. Meiji Street Kato Dai 7 Bldg. 2F and 3F, 2-50-1 Higashi Ikebukuro, Toyoshima-ku Tel: 03-5927-1556 Fax: 03-5927-1557 ine60 SunSh Otsuka St. Ka Street sug as tre SunShine City Higashi Ikebukuro St. et inside OCT 16-29, 2015 • #1125 EDITOR’S LETTER It’s the time of year when the streets fill with monsters, zombies, and sexy versions of inanimate objects. But before the undead rise–and perhaps more eagerly than the living do most days—we on the editorial team ponder what Tokyoites would do should the city fall victim to a zombie apocalypse. Through tireless research 123RF and theorizing, we bring you our Tokyo zombie survival guide to keep handy, just in case! Hungry? Get away from the sunlight and join us at the Vampire Cafe. If you want to get down with the undead, follow us into the wild at Metropolis Glitterball: Jungle Book of the Dead—where zombie celebrities make this a truly red-carpet event. Photo courtesy of Diamond Dining and Vampire Cafe 06 Photo by Samuel Thomas 10 I Will Survive: A Tokyoite’s guide to a zombie outbreak 14 Chips and Steaks: Have a bloody good meal in Ginza Breaking Fad: Opting for timeless over trendy fashion Cover design: Davi “Undead” Azevedo GET PRINTED! SEND IN YOUR BEST PHOTOS FOR OUR NOV 13 ISSUE. DEADLINE OCT 28. metropolisjapan.com/focus IN FOCUS A view of the Supermoon from Tachikawa on September 28, by David Jurenovic Search over 42 million photos 8F Nishi-Azabu Sonic Bldg, 3-2-12 Nishi-Azabu, Minato-ku, Tokyo 106-0031 Tel 03-4588-2277 Fax 03-4588-2278 • www.metropolisjapan.com METROPOLIS is Japan’s No.1 English magazine, founded in 1994 and published for Japan’s international community. ✓ 10 free starter credits with registration ✓ 25% credits bonus on purchase Promo Code: Metropolis www.123rf.com/metropolis CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Neil Butler EDITORIAL Christopher Bryan Jones (Editor-In-Chief) Martin Leroux (Editor) Kohei Usuda (editorial assistant) Tim Young (Proofreader) CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Dan Grunebaum (Entertainment) Don Morton (Movies) C.B. Liddell (Arts) Samuel Thomas (Fashion) Nancy Laure (Editorial Intern) DESIGN Kohji Shiiki (Art Director) Davi Azevedo (Graphic Designer) Erin Hope (Design Intern) WEB Minh Douangprachanh (Digital Manager) PRODUCTION Helen Langford (Production Assistant) ADVERTISING Akane Ochi, Karl Nakashima, Niki Kaihara (Sales Managers) Ai Hosokawa (Sales Assistant) Keiko Kanda (Sales Intern) ADMINISTRATION/ ACCOUNTING Keiko Adachi (Administration Manager) Jason Taylor (Adminstration/Classifieds) Chien Irene, Marina Miyazaki (Admin Interns) Cai Wenwen (Support Staff) IT Guilhem Malfre (IT/Web Developer) Metropolis Magazine @MetropolisTokyo MetropolisTokyo [email protected] Reach over 60,000 Metropolis readers. Advertise: [email protected]; http://metropolisjapan.com/advertise メトロポリスは20年以上に渡り、訪日•関東在住の外国人へ無料で配布している英字総合情報誌です。英語圏の方々に向け た情報発信や宣伝広告の機会を行政機関や日本企業に提供しております。お問い合わせ: 03-4588-2277 © Copyright 2015 Japan Partnership Inc. The views expressed herein are not necessarily those of the publisher. The publisher reserves the right to edit or delete any advertisement without notice. 03 upfront 123RF We welcome all kinds of parties. Please contact us. Each branch has different hours. www.dubliners.jp LINGOIST THE TRUTH IS OUT THERE Halloween brings out the spooks—and the skeptics—among us. It’s a time when we go to parties and talk about our costume choice, swap scary stories, and ask one another what ghosts we believe in—if we believe in them at all. Let Metropolis help you start that conversation! JP EN JP Frida Satur y & Octobday 30 & er 31 HAPPY HALLOWEEN PARTY! ALL DAY HAPPY HOUR EN JP EN JP EN 10月30日(金), 10月31日(土)はオールデイハッピーアワー Ii kasō desu ne. Uchūjin ga iru to shinjite-masu ka? That’s a great costume. Do you believe in aliens? Hai. Zettai iru to omoimasu. Yes. I definitely think they’re out there. Soudesuka. Yūrei wa? I see. What about ghosts? Iie, yūrei wa sonzai shite-inai deshō. No, I don’t think ghosts exist. K Come in costume! A N A C R O S S Akasaka branch closed October 31 1 Shinjuku 2F Shinjuku Lion Hall 3-28-9 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku 03-3352-6606 | [email protected] http://r.gnavi.co.jp/g209300/ Ikebukuro 2 B 3 Shibuya 2F Dogenzaka Center Bldg. 2-29-8 Dogenzaka, Shibuya-ku 03-5459-1736 |[email protected] http://r.gnavi.co.jp/g008214/ Akasaka B1 Sun Gorou Bldg. 1-10-8 Nishi-Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku 03-5951-3614 | [email protected] http://r.gnavi.co.jp/g029000/ よ B1 Sannou Park Tower 2-11-1 Nagatacho, Chiyoda-ku 03-3539-3615 | [email protected] r.gnavi.co.jp/g008233/ Closed: Sat., Sun., & Holidays A 5 6 D 7 8 9 Shinagawa Shinagawa Mitsubishi Bldg. B1F Grand Passage 2-16-3 Kounan, Minato-ku 03-6718-2834 | [email protected] http://r.gnavi.co.jp/g008220/ 10 C Solution: A B C D ANSWERS AT meturl.com/kanacross 04 4 Across 1. Ghost, phantom 3. Red 5. Caution 7. Darkness 9. Evil 10. Doodle or drawing Down 1. Western clothes 2. Pumpkin 3. To meet 4. Pirate 6. Bow, for archery 8. Radio 9. Autumn TO-DO LIST 3 TOP english bookstores Kinokuniya Shinjuku Southern Terrace One entire floor is entirely dedicated to English publications, including classics, contemporary fiction and magazines. Good news for Japanophiles: there’s a superb section devoted to Japanese lit with a particular emphasis on translated manga. Takashimaya Times Square Annex 6F, 5-24-2 Sendagaya, Shibuya-ku. Shinjuku. http://j.mp/kinokuniyabookstore Maruzen Marunouchi, main store A well-stocked bookstore located across the street from Tokyo Station, this main Maruzen outlet is very strong on academic and specialized books in English that cannot be found elsewhere in Japan. Oazo F4, 1-6-4 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku. Tokyo. Tel: 03-5288-8881. www.marunouchi.com/e/shop/detail/2015 OCT 16-NOV 3 OCT 24 EDITOR’S PICK KAWASAKI HALLOWEEN PARADE Kawasaki’s Halloween Parade was waving the banner for ghouls and goblins in the Far East long before the current fad for all things orange. Centered around the station’s Citta entertainment complex, the event’s climax is a huge parade, but it also features an awards show and a “high-tension” disco dance party. This year, a separate Star Wars-themed parade featuring giant Star Wars nebuta lantern floats will commemorate the revival of the film franchise. Oct 24. Kawasaki Station area. Dan Grunebaum TOKYO MIDTOWN DESIGN TOUCH Starting Oct 16, Tokyo Midtown and the surrounding area will be transformed into a mega venue for Design Touch, a series of interactive events on the theme of design. 21_21 Design Museum will hold an exhibition on architect Frank Gehry, “I Have an Idea,” in which the audience is invited to experience Gehry’s architectures through projection mapping, while on the other side of Midtown’s lawn, children and adults alike can take part in building pyramids from wooden blocks designed by Kengo Kuma. In addition to numerous exhibitions and conferences, leading design professionals will host hands-on workshops in an open-air setting that is sure to fire up your autumn creativity. Oct 16-Nov 3, various times and prices. Tokyo Midtown. Roppongi. www.tokyo-midtown.com/en/designtouch Good Day Books Second to none in terms of Tokyo’s used bookstores carrying English titles. A wonderful place to spend your afternoon and discover hidden literary gems. This revered bibliophilic institution, in business for well over 20 years, also holds a monthly book club. Toaki Blg 3F, 2-4-2 Nishi Gotanda, Shinagawa-ku. Gotanda. Tel: 03-6303-9116. www.gooddaybooks.com OCT 28 MASTERS OF J-HORROR Part of the 28th Tokyo International Film Festival, this special all-night screening event will present chilling works from three of the genre’s most influential directors: Hideo Nakata, Takashi Shimizu, and Kiyoshi Kurosawa. The lineup includes 1996’s Don’t Look Up (Nakata), 1997’s Cure (Kurosawa), 2003’s Ju-on (Shimizu), and Nakata’s 2015 film Ghost Theater. Oct 28. ¥3,996. Shinjuku Piccadilly. Shinjuku. www.tiff-jp.net/en/ Photo by Okazumi Chika OCT 31-MAR 6 TAKASHI MURAKAMI: THE 500 ARHATS OCT 15-NOV 3 CARL HANSEN & SØN X FUGLEN: COLLABORATION LOUNGE Danish furniture manufacturer Carl Hansen & Søn will set up a special lounge space at its Harajuku flagship store, in collaboration with Fuglen Tokyo, an outpost of Oslo’s über-cool espresso bar. Fuglen’s expert baristas will host the five-day “Special Coffee Event,” including hand drip seminars and coffee tasting events. Reproductions of classic furniture by Scandinavia’s great designers will also be on display. Hand drip seminars: Oct 24, 31 & Nov 3, 3-4pm. Coffee tasting events: Oct 25 & Nov 1: 3-4pm. Free. Fuglen Tokyo. Yoyogi-Koen. www.fuglen.com OCT 24 FC TOKYO VS. URAWA REDS FC Tokyo, currently third in the J. League, takes on the Urawa Reds of Saitama, winner of the First Stage of Japan’s newly revamped soccer league. Italian manager Massimo Ficcadenti’s on-form side is vying for a berth in the Championship playoff with the aim of claiming the club’s first-ever domestic title. Oct 24, 2pm. ¥600-6,200. Ajinomoto Stadium. Tobitakyu. Tel: 04-2440-0555. www.fctokyo.co.jp/english Japan’s biggest artistic export of the 21st century— perhaps all time?—is the subject of a major exhibition at the newly renovated Mori in Roppongi. Takashi Murakami has many admirers—and detractors—but his domination of the Japanese art scene is an immutable fact. The 500 Arhats is Murakami’s reaction to the March 11 disaster—a 100-meter-long Buddhist-flavored token of gratitude to Qatar, one of the first nations to offer help in the wake of the tsunami. The show also features a number of new creations, including towering sculptures like The Birth Cry of the Universe, as well as more predictable anime-flavored canvasses. Oct 31-Mar 6. ¥1,600 (students ¥1,100; children ¥600). Mori Art Museum. Roppongi. Tel: 03-5777-8600. http://mori.art.museum/eng/ Dan Grunebaum 05 feature THE GUIDE TO ZOMBIE SURVIVAL IN JAPAN How to outlast the risen dead in the Rising Sun BY MUBITA MAMBWE H alloween is a time when the streets fill with movie monsters, celebrities from the year’s headlines, and inexplicably sultry versions of woodland creatures and fairy tale characters. And, of course, zombies. But imagine that these flesh-hungry hellions weren’t costumes; that the undead were roaming the streets of Roppongi—and not in search of a group with which to dance to “Thriller.” What would you do if Tokyo had fallen victim to a zombie outbreak? FACTORS TO CONSIDER: ZOMBIE TYPE Your chances of surviving the zombie apocalypse depend on knowing your attackers. Pop culture and folklore portray the undead in a myriad of ways, each genre of zombie equipped with its own characteristics, pros, and cons. For example, George A. Romero’s zombies are slow and not bright, but appear to be able to learn and retain information, while those in 28 Days Later are faster, tireless, and fueled by rage. The World War Z undead can form human (sort of) pyramids and climb walls. Find out what you’re up against. WEATHER Temperature and climate are contributing factors to zombie lifespans and mobility. Heat speeds up the putrefaction process in which the body decomposes. Humid heat acceler- 06 ates the breaking down of the body, while dry heat merely mummifies it, keeping the tissues and muscles intact, thereby likely allowing a zombie to stay active. Those moist Tokyo summers and drab tsuyu seasons could very well be what saves us! The cold has also been said to slow zombies down—which is good news for our neighbors in the snowy northern regions, should the outbreak happen in winter. LOCATION When Jean-Paul Sartre said “Hell is other people,” he probably had the zombie invasion somewhere in mind. Needless to say, proximity to others is a major factor in combating zombies and infection; the fewer people there are, the safer the area. In a presentation given at the March 2015 meeting of the American Physical Society in Texas, Cornell University student Alexander Alemi and his colleagues provided a statistical analysis of a hypothetical zombie outbreak in the U.S., basing their research on epidemics of other communicable diseases. They concluded that the safest place in the country would be hilly regions such as the Northern Rocky Mountains. By contrast, metropolitan areas like New York would crumble within days; less-populated regions between large cities would also be susceptible to an invasion. Applying this theory to Japan, being in Tokyo—whose population exceeds New York’s by an estimated 4.85 million according to 2014 census reports (although Tokyo has a smaller population density than NYC)—is bad news. PEOPLE In the event of a zombie outbreak—as with most other disasters—going to where other people flock might spell trouble, as exits and paths are likely to become congested and slow you down or stop you. And if there’s a zombie among them, the rest will soon follow. It’s instinctive to, in a moment of panic, follow whomever makes the first move—but take a deep breath, assess, and find a less-popular route. Here’s where your Golden Week vacation-planning methods kick in. At the same time, keeping in touch with other survivors could lead you toward safety. Many who’ve been in Japan during a major earthquake know that phone lines are down during disasters. So given that electricity and the Internet are still working—and they should, as shutting them down would be the least of the zombies’ priorities—use social media or messaging apps to contact others. AMMO It’s pretty unanimous with every zombie franchise that the only way to get a zombie to stop chasing you is to terminate it—and you’re going to need something to do that with. Firearms have been illegal in Japan for some time—there are just 0.6 guns per 100 residents, according to a 2007 report by the Small Arms Survey—so you might have to get creative with self-defense. If you’re in Akihabara or Asakusa when the stuff hits the fan, a souvenir store might have some katana swords that’ll keep you protected. In other areas, the nearest Bic Camera or Don Quixote might also have some baseball bats or golf clubs to both help you survive and possibly up your game for when it’s over. If you have the time, you might get a decent enough tool by MacGyvering some common items like a mamachari or materials you find at a nearby construction site. In any case, defending yourself in Japan means your motor skills must be intact. TRANSPORTATION Japan’s train system is intricate and convenient—but only when the general populace is not after brains. Besides, most major transportation systems would likely shut down shortly after the outbreak. Additionally, areas connected to the most train tracks and subway tunnels mean more zombie accessibility—so avoid those areas. A Tokyoite’s safest bet for survival is to find a decent car in which to drive to the countryside or other sanctuaries. ZOMBIE HISTORY Japanese folklore does mention the undead, although they differ significantly from Western depictions of zombies in that Japan’s are rooted in spirituality. The closest thing to a zombie in Japanese mythology is the gashadokuro, a type of yokai (“phantom” or “supernatural being”) that is a giant skeletal creature comprising the bones of villagers who die of starvation. A gashadokuro is said to roam the streets after midnight and bite off the heads of victims, and can only be warded off by Shinto charms. Should this type of undead be the cause of an outbreak … well, get home early or have a Shinto charmer on speed dial. 07 Presents JUNGLE BOOK OF THE DEAD Are you fierce enough to survive the haunted wild? METROPOLIS HALLOWEEN GLITTERBALL OCTOBER 29, 7-11PM @ ELETOKYO LADIES: FREE 女性は無料(ドリンク無し) GENTLEMEN: ¥2,000 W/2 DRINKS 男性は¥2,000(2ドリンク付き) www.wazoo.jp/open/halloween2015 * Advance tickets for ladies does not include drinks. Door: Women ¥1,500 (includes one drink) Men ¥2,500 (w/1 drink) COSTUME CONTEST Win great prizes! DON’T MISS IT! 1F & B1F Fukao Bldg 1-4-5 Azabu-Juban Minato-ku, Tokyo 106-0045 More info at metropolis.co.jp/glitterball2015 08 feature SURVIVING ZOMBIES IN TOKYO The safest place in Japan to hide out during a zombie outbreak would be as far as possible from other people—ergo, the inaka (countrysides)—or more secure facilities like larger embassies and nearby military bases. But given the unpredictable nature of disasters, it’s hard to plan where you’ll be when the undead strike. In zombified Tokyo, strategy is everything. Here are some of the safest and most perilous places to be within the 23 wards. G Y R Green zones: Embassies, military bases, areas with limited accessibility, islands. Yellow zones: Steel-door apartments, districts with limited train access (short-term hideouts). Red zones: Shopping centers, business districts (daytime), residential districts (at night). MINATO Independent districts in Minato may be dangerous in and of themselves but, given its nearby artificial islands and proximity to docks, this is the ideal place to be. Head toward Odaiba and take the highway passing through Akatsuki Futo-Koen; the Chuobuhatei island on the other side, which houses garbage landfills and the Tokyo Waterfront Recycle Power company, should take zombies at least several days to reach. DANGER LEVEL: 3/5 Potentially safest area: The Tokyo Bay islands, with the exception of Odaiba. Potentially dangerous area: Roppongi (unless you’ve got access to Mori Tower’s office floors) and Akasaka. Exit strategy: Grab a boat from the pier and sail to distant lands—or at least across the bay, down to mountainous Southern Chiba. If you’ve got resources on board to last you several days, Oshima Island, Niijima Island, or Miyake Island will likely be uninfected. SHIBUYA It’s hard enough getting through the living in one of the world’s busiest intersections. What more when they’re out for brains? On the plus side, if you find a safe sanctuary here, it’ll be fun documenting all the zombies in cosplay. Your safest bet for survival here is to get away or head to the residential areas. But if you’re stuck in downtown Shibuya Ward, find a secure highrise with a well-hidden stairwell and plan your escape from there. DANGER LEVEL: 5/5 Potentially safest area: Hatagaya Potentially dangerous area: Everywhere else. Exit strategy: Go around the ward, avoiding hotspots such as Shinjuku, toward the Minato-ku bay area. CHIYODA In addition to being the least populated among Tokyo’s 23 wards, Chiyoda-ku is also home to the Imperial Palace and plenty of government buildings that one would assume to be highly protected, if you can find an in. The Kanda River also runs through Iidabashi, and there are plenty of canoes by riverside cafés to snag in the area. DANGER LEVEL: 3.5/5 Potentially safest area: Nagatacho. Potentially dangerous area: Akihabara, Tokyo Station. Exit strategy: Grab a canoe from the aforementioned riverside cafés and row east toward Asakusabashi, where it meets with the more spacious Sumida River. From there, row south toward Tokyo Bay. One of the islands should offer a temporary refuge. SHINJUKU The same things said of Shibuya apply to Shinjuku, where the districts are condensed and pedestrian traffic goes strong around the clock. However, the only reason Shibuya’s at number one on this list is because of the Kanda River running through Ichigaya (see: Chiyoda above). DANGER LEVEL: 4.5/5 Potentially safest area: Ichigaya, to escape from; NishiOchiai, in the daytime. Potentially dangerous area: Shinjuku Station and anywhere within walking distance of it. Exit strategy: Kanda River. SUGINAMI It might sound counterintuitive to hide out in a place that ranks as the sixth most populated among Tokyo’s 23 wards. But it’s a strategically favorable location, being closest to the mountain ranges an hour or two’s drive west, and still accessible from other wards. This isn’t a place to wait out the zombie apocalypse, but it’s a great starting point from which to escape. DANGER LEVEL: 4/5 Potentially safest area: Miyamae and Momoi districts, solely for their distance from commercial areas and train stations. Potentially dangerous area: Koenji, whose hipster inhabitants were cool before they were cold. Exit strategy: Find a car and drive west toward Hinode. There, you’ll find various mountain ranges and elevated towns that will take zombies a while to trek through. TOSHIMA It’s not the most-populated district in Tokyo— although it’s home to Ikebukuro, whose traffic levels rival those of Shibuya and Shinjuku. However, Toshima’s primary flaw lies in its distance from escape routes, being gridlocked between other wards. Its neighboring wards at least have access to the rivers or clear paths toward the west or north. DANGER LEVEL: 4.5/5 Potentially safest area: The Chihaya and Nagasaki residential areas. Probably. Potentially dangerous areas: Ikebukuro. Exit strategy: Get out, now. 09 food&drink Photo courtesy of Eggs ‘n’ Things Japan gets its first taste of the autumnal flavor that’s all the rage Stateside—and perhaps excessively so. Sugar-based coffee liqueur Kahlúa comes out with their Pumpkin Spice spirit, which blends Arabica coffee and sugarcane rum with the savory flavor of pumpkin and spicy tang of cinnamon and other seasonal spices—and all at 20 percent alcohol. The back of the bottle recommends mixing pumpkin spice martinis, but the liqueur can add a festive kick to all cream-based cocktails from white Russians to mudslides. Like it or not, the great pumpkin (spice) has risen! ¥1,380 per 700ml bottle. Available in liquor stores nationwide. ¥¥ While it may not be something you’d want tossed into your basket, Cold Stone Creamery’s Halloween offerings are a delectable alternative to the pint-sized treats so common to trick-or-treating. The five chilly chomps—Cookie-O’-Lantern, Midnight Tiramisu, Berry Scary Monster, My Sweetie Potato, and Blacky Monkey Banquet (pictured here, ¥680 regular size)—provide tingling sensations for both spine and taste buds. The Blacky Monkey combines black cocoa ice cream, sweet potato ice cream, raspberries, and bananas. If it’s pumpkin you’re looking for, carve out some time for a Cookie-O’Lantern. Available through Halloween at Cold Stone Creamery locations nationwide. Photos courtesy of Diamond Dining and Vampire Cafe RESTAURANT Photo by C Bryan Jones Hawaiian diner Eggs ‘n’ Things has made its mark in Tokyo as a provider of breakfast goodness, the star of their menu being their delectable pancakes that come in a variety of flavors along with mountains of whipped cream. And while “Hawaiian” doesn’t necessarily come to mind at the mention of Halloween, Eggs keeps things festive with their October offering, the murasaki-imo pancake (¥1,630). Presented with a vivid-violet sweet potato sauce topped with raspberries and mango, the pancakes are as much a treat for the eyes as they are for the tastebuds. Yum! Until Oct 31. Branches in Harajuku, Ginza, Odaiba, and Yokohama. www.eggsnthingsjapan.com EN/JP Gothic Gastronomy BY TWIKI KLAATU T he Halloween tradition of collecting candy from strangers is satisfying for some. But have you ever wanted more, like baby back ribs, roasted chicken, or a towering salad? Vampire Rose, the resident count of Ginza’s Vampire Cafe, invites you to pull up a chair at his house and stay awhile. Located on the seventh floor of the La paix Building, just minutes from Ginza Station, the spooky restaurant has been a popular spot for dates, parties, and that occasional walk on the dark—and tasty—side since it first opened in 2001. Vampires are renowned for their irrational Stokeresque fear of garlic, but Count Rose— going strong at 310 years old—has had time to come to terms with the vegetable-herb. As such, he’s cool with the inclusion of garlic toast on the menu (¥666), though he insists that it look like the coffin he sleeps in—complete with a cross made of tomato sauce and bacon. The Corpse of Van Helsing (actually, baby back ribs, ¥3,500 full slab; ¥2,200 half; ¥1,500 quarter) not only provides that thick redness beloved by vampires, but also delivers a tangy, smoky experience that will satisfy those who simply yearn for the taste of the grill. Surrounded by potato wedges, broccoli, and cherry tomatoes, this filling entrée is one of their most popular. Just be prepared for a mess with every bite—you’ll know how vampires feel! 10 For vegetarians, there are a number of items to choose from, including the Forest of the Dead Salad topped with walnuts and blue cheese (¥880). Keeping with the Gothic theme, the greens are stacked in a crispy wonton shell reminiscent of the Count’s casket. While the food is creative and tasty, much of the Vampire Cafe’s popularity stems from the atmosphere. The motif draws upon legends made familiar through books and film, but merges them with a playful sensibility that creates a fun environment for twilight dining (Vampire Cafe is open for dinner only, 5-11:30pm). The setting is the home of the aforementioned Vampire Rose, with seating for 81 guests that includes private booths for couples, tables for parties of four or Photo courtesy of David Otto Juice Not only is it the time of year for spooks and frights— it’s also time for Oktoberfest, the Munich-born festival of a different kind of spirit! If you can’t be in Germany, Tokyo is one of the best places to be for the delicious German food and beer that you seek. Schmatz in Akasaka has a plate waiting for you Oct 21-Nov 1 with offerings that, of course, include sensational sausages, schnitzel, apple strudel, specialty beers, and other Bavarian favorites. Drop by Schmatz and celebrate the 205th anniversary of Oktoberfest! Prost! 1F Akasaka 3-19-18. Open Mon-Sat 11am-11pm, Sun 11am-9pm. Tel: 03-5545-5424. www.schmatz.jp Cold-pressed juice cleanses seem to be all the rage these days thanks to their reported health benefits—a great thing for when sugary temptations abound! Joining the roster of Tokyo juiceries is David Otto Juice, which serves up raw cold-pressed beverages that are as delicious as they are healthy. The juices are prepared using the same methods its founder, David Otto, uses at the Beverly Hills Juice Bar in Los Angeles, which has been serving an A-list clientele since 1975. On the menu are a wide range of nutrientpacked juices, smoothies, and shakes incorporating fresh fruits, based around vegetable, ginger, coconut, or banana-manna. 2-6-3 Sendagaya, Shibuya-ku. Tel: 03-6758-0620. http://davidottojuice.com RECIPE Eyeballs in the blood pond RECIPE AND PHOTO BY RIEKO SUZUKI Well, actually, it’s gnocchi and tomato sauce. To make the eyeballs in this spooky serving that kids and grownups alike can enjoy, sliced black olives are the key. For the tomato sauce, I used ham, but bacon or tuna—or chickpeas for vegetarians—will suffice. Happy Halloween! Photo by C Bryan Jones Photo by C Bryan Jones Servings: 2-3 INGREDIENTS Gnocchi •300g peeled potatoes •150g flour •1 large egg yolk •1 tsp parmesan cheese powder •1 pinch salt •16-20 sliced black olives Sauce •1 can diced tomatoes •1 small onion, chopped •½-1 cup sliced ham •1 tsp chopped garlic •1 tbsp olive oil •1 tsp dried basil •Salt and pepper DIRECTIONS Photo courtesy of Diamond Dining and Vampire Cafe more, and a room that can accommodate up to 30 guests for parties and special events. Although many vampires choose to lurk in the shadows, Rose is more than happy to meet and greet diners, even having his photo taken with them, bright light being another thing that he’s come to terms after three centuries … so fire up that flash! (If you'd like to make certain you meet Rose, ask in advance since he’s sometimes away at vampire dinner parties.) There’s plenty more cleverly-themed food and drinks to choose from year-round, and if you visit between now and November 3 you can enjoy the Vampire Cafe’s special Halloween menu. With many seasonal cocktails and dishes on offer—plus a special course meal (¥3,500)—Count Rose invites you to spend this most haunting of seasons with him. He even has English-speaking servants roaming the bloody corridor. Vampire Cafe. 7F La paix Bldg. 6-7-6 Ginza, Chuo-ku. Ginza. Tel: 03 -3289 -5360. http://r.gnavi.co.jp/g600100 1. Chop, cook, and mash potatoes. Add flour, egg yolk, cheese, a pinch of salt, and then knead. Plastic-wrap it and let rest in the fridge for 30 min. 2.Cook sauce. In pot, heat olive oil. Fry onion, garlic, and ham until onion becomes translucent. Then add diced tomato and dried basil. Adjust taste to your liking with salt and pepper. 3.Bring out gnocchi dough from fridge and place on chopping board, dusted with flour. Take small, even amounts and form round pieces. Push in sliced olives in the center. 4.Boil water in big pot. Cook gnocchi for 7-8 min. Let boil for 2 min after they start floating. 5.Drain gnocchi and put on plate. Pour sauce when serving. Rieko Suzuki Rieko blogs bilingual recipes at http://meturl.com/ruby 11 THE PERFECT SPACE FOR YOUR PRIVATE PARTY OR EVENT Flexible plans for groups of 20 people and up. Example: 2-hour plan including 5 dishes + all-you-can-drink for ¥3,000/person Call 090-9951-8438 to arrange your event. B1F.B2F 2-17-3. Shibuya.Shibuya-ku.Tokyo 150-0002 Japan http://socialclubtokyo.com 12 fashion fix BY SAMUEL THOMAS, FASHION EDITOR OUT OF FASHION W ithout a doubt, the biggest barrier to bringing more young men into the fashion fold is that they don’t like being dictated to by the tides of trends. After all, the business of something being “on-trend” or not is just that: a business—albeit a fun one, if you enjoy the buzz of the new. However, especially in Tokyo, a shop staff’s cry that a design is ninki (“popular”) is liable to induce the opposite effect from the intended; some men just want to make up their own minds. It’s a phenomenon probably born from the fact that men’s participation in fashion is still pretty optional, while women’s still tends to be expected. Still, the tills don’t lie, and with fashion spending up year-on-year by men worldwide, it looks like the future is one where men want to up their fashion game. They want to enjoy expressing themselves using the same trend-based system that always has something new to sell them. But 14 that still leaves the sizable portion of men alienated by the trend narrative. They may still want to dress well, but they want to choose their own style, buy wisely, and know that, whatever they buy, they can wear it until the seams give way. In Tokyo fashion, vintage shops have long been the haven of men—and women—who wanted to opt out entirely but still dress well. The destinations tend to be on the outskirts of trend-based fashion hubs: Naka-Meguro and Shimokitazawa sit just outside Shibuya, offering the promise of timeless cool, while Koenji, the Mecca of vintage in West Tokyo, orbits the city as a satellite of sorts. The irony of it all is that, as vintage fashion started sprawling into the mainstream in the late 2000s, trend-thinking started to seep into the vintage scene too, with shops rushing to push certain items, whether racks of mandarin collar shirts, or the current trend sweeping Tokyo: MA-1 nylon bombers. FASHION CALENDAR CHECK METROPOLISJAPAN.COM FOR THE LATEST FASHION CALENDAR. Photos by Samuel Thomas How long the trend-based system can last, even as classic designs are constantly reinterpreted and reinvented with each passing season, is another matter entirely. The relentless desire for newness is constrained by the limitations of the human body. However, my personal advice to those alienated by the trend-based system is that, even if rounded shoulders are considered on-trend because the majority of designers are doing them, there will be someone out there doing padded or slim, or any kind of shoulder you can imagine. Add to that the fact that the hypercritical fashionista trope doesn’t exist to any real extent in Tokyo, and as long as you’re enjoying dressing well no-one’s liable to care. Adding some controversy to the proceedings, the collection also deployed deliberately nationalistic Japanese imagery, including riffs on the rising sun flag and traditional motifs beloved by yakuza and yankii alike. This also celebrated the power these ideas have over fashion, taking pride in motifs that can’t possibly be claimed by the trend-based fashion establishment. Those who don’t want to take a politicized stance against the fashion system can simply enjoy the fact that there’s a label out there willing to cater to those who don’t want to play the fashion game. If you want a killer suit with custom cuffs and collars that will last from season to season, or to peacock without being a poseur, this one might be for you. http://anglasad.net OUTMODE Extending a firm middle finger to the notion of trend-based fashion is cult label Anglasad, from designer Mamoru Shimizu. Presenting their Spring/Summer 2016 collection pointedly outside the Tokyo Fashion Week schedule by a month, Shimizu eschewed the polished runways of the Hikarie Building, where the official shows are held, for the sticky floors and downtown charm of the Tokyo Kinema Club live house in Uguisudani, East Tokyo. Beyond the venue itself, the location is a stone’s throw from Ameyoko in Ueno, a bastion for the man who wants to buy a tailored suit or heart leather jacket in a nonfashion setting. This is reflected in the collection itself, which offers order-made suits and a series of timeless fashion classics that have stood the test of time. Themed “Outmode,” as in outmoded or out-of-date, the collection marking the 10th anniversary of the Anglasad brand did not stop at kicking out timeless fashion staples. It also reached further into our conceptions of being “in fashion” by throwing in some ideas from traditional Japanese menswear, asking in the process just where these ideas disappeared to. In total, the collection was a collage of masculine ideas and ideals; new in total, but the parts somehow very familiar. 15 movies BY DON MORTON featured movie PITCH PERFECT 2 As with most sports-formula movies, the only place to go with an uninspired, f inancially mandated sequel is bigger. So the Barden Bellas are off to the world championships in Europe, where they face an arrogant, u b e r- t h e - to p, n e a r l y n e o - N azi G e r m a n supergroup —think SNL’s “The Sprockets” times ten. I’m aware that I am far from the target demographic here, but this is a movie column, and cinematically speaking, this is two hours of fingernails on a blackboard. The first movie was just as contrived, but at least it had a storyline and the soundtrack was worth a listen. (BTW, doesn’t “a cappella” mean without instruments? Where’d that drum line come from?) The tone-deaf direction, by Elizabeth “Don’t-quit-your-acting-job” Banks, lacks any sort of pacing, continuity or momentum, the humor is alternatively pointless and offensive, the acting awful, the writing perfunctory, and the charac ter development non- existent. Note to Anna Kendrick: Please opt out of the planned second sequel and get on with your promising career. You look bored. Professional fat chick Rebel Wilson has a bigger part this time around. Some are saying this is a good thing. It is not. In a word: A-ca-rappy. (155 min) NEW FANTASTIC FOUR Going in, I was prett y sure this F4 origin story reboot couldn’t be worse than that 2005 turkey. Well, wrong again, Morty. For a movie based on an action comic, there’s precious little action and virtually no fun going on. The promising young cast (Miles Teller, Kate Mara, Michael B. Jordan, Jamie Bell) is swallowed up in a dark and dully downbeat story that never really goes anywhere. This cynical, even panick y—on the part of Fox— attempt to restart a franchise is such a clear setup for an increasingly unlikely sequel that it resembles, more than anything else, the world’s longest pre-credits sequence. (100 min) NEW A LITTLE CHAOS Alan Rickman’s second directorial effort is about a romance between the real French landscape architect Andre Le Notre (a listless Matthias Schoenaerts), who built the gardens at Versailles, and the fictitious woman designer Sabine De Barra (a sparkling Kate Winslet) he engaged to counterbalance his perhaps overly ordered philosophy. Rickman plays Louis XIV, and a scene-stealing Stanley Tucci is terrific as his foppish brother. It’s a beautifully filmed and acted costume/period piece, but for a movie so named, it could have benefitted from quite a bit more of the title characteristic. Japanese title: Versailles no Kyutei Niwashi. (117 min) FINDING VIVIAN MAIER For 4 0 year s, V i v ian Maier was a nanny who took a lot of pictures. But she never exhibited her photographs. Why? After her death in 2009, archivist John Maloof bought at auction several boxes of her negatives, and soon recognized an undiscovered, major American talent. This riddle of a documentary shows us her astounding work, but also tries to define her, revealing details so gradually that it plays more like a mystery. The film does not shrink from the troubling, impossible-to-answer question of what the reclusive Vivian would have thought of this welldeserved, posthumous fame. Unique and fascinating. Japanese title: Vivian Maier wo Sagashite. (83 min) THE INTERN A n n e H a t h aw ay i s a successful entrepreneur who agrees to a “senior intern” program despite not being comfortable around old people. Robert De Niro is a bored 70-yearold retired exec who’s assigned to be Jules’s personal assistant. She respectfully resists, he gently persists, she relents, they bond and learn life lessons, etc. It’s all pretty schmaltzy, as Nancy Meyers films can be (Something’s Gotta Give, It’s Complicated), but it’s good schmaltz, or at least inoffensive. Featherweight, too many extraneous subplots, and overlong. But worth catching to watch these two Oscar-winners at work. Japanese title: My Intern. (121 min) STARRED UP Title refers to the U.K. practice of moving excep t io nall y v io l en t juvenile of fenders to adult prisons. One such graduate is feral 19-year-old Eric [the explosive Jack O’Connell (Unbroken, ’71)]. One of his fellow inmates is his prison-powerful lifer dad (the always good Ben Mendelsohn), whose abandonment of the boy at age five is one of the causes of his viciousness. David Mackenzie’s viscerally authentic film is brutal to be sure, but also a deeply humane look at the emotional life of inmates. A twisted family drama. The script is by a former prison therapist. You may be reluctant to see this; overcome it. Japanese title: Namo naki Heino Nakano Ou. (106 min) WHAT WE DID ON OUR HOLIDAY A bickering, separating couple (Rosamund Pike and David Tennant) and their three kids, aged 4 to 9, motor off to Scotland for his cancer-stricken dad’s 75th birthday (Billy Connolly, alone worth the ticket price), hoping to spare Granddad the news of the impending divorce. This setup alone would offer some rich comedic pickings, but what then happens is even funnier. A little sitcom-ish but well-written and directed by Andy Hamilton and Guy Jenkin, who do a similar TV sitcom. Difficult to anticipate, kind of goofy, and the kids are not annoying. I had fun. Veddy British, but not without a fart joke or two. Japanese title: Kaizoku Giichan no Okurimono. (95 min) NEW NEW NEW NEW Pitch Perfect 2: © 2015 Universal Pictures; Fantastic Four: © 2015 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation; A Little Chaos: © 2014 BRITISH BROADCASTING CORPORATION, LITTLE CHAOS LIMITED; Finding Vivian Maier: © Maloof Collection, Ltd.; The Intern: ©2015 WARNER BROS. ENTERTAINMENT INC. AND RATPAC-DUNE ENTERTAINMENT LLC ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.; Starred Up: © 2013 STARRED UP FILMS LIMITED AND CHANNEL FOUR TELEVISION CORPORATION; What We Did on Our Holiday: © ORIGIN PICTURES (OUR HOLIDAY) LIMITED / BRITISH BROADCASTING CORPORATION 2014; The Age of Adaline: © 2015 LAKESHORE ENTERTAINMENT GROUP LLC, KIMMEL DISTRIBUTION,LLC AND LIONSGATE FILMS INC, ALL Rights Reserved; The Captive: Lem 小野、石田、下ノ村 ; John Wick: © ; Magic Mike XXL: Photo Credit: Claudette Barius ©2015 WARNER BROS. ENTERTAINMENT INC. RATPAC-DUNE ENTERTAINMENT,LLC; Survivor: © 2015 SURVIVOR PRODUCTIONS, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 16 More reviews: metropolisjapan.com/movies NEW THE AGE OF ADALINE A s over- explained by the incessant narrator, Adaline Bowman (a bland Blake Lively) had a car accident in 1937 at the age of 29, during which hypothermia and a lightning strike rendered her unable to age. Long story short: eternal youth is a double-edged sword. But this Benjamin Button-ish pseudoscience is easy to swallow compared with the contrivance of her falling in love, in 2015, with the son of a guy she loved and left 50 years earlier (a scenestealing Harrison Ford). Stylishly framed but sloppily written, and the required suspension of disbelief is just too great for the meager emotional payoff. Japanese title: Adaline, Hyakunen Me no Koi. (110 min) NEW THE CAPTIVE Offensively implausible, timeframe-jumping childabduc tion non-thriller tries to wed guilt and grief with a TV-level police procedural and some general weirdness, resulting in this contrived, unpleasant mess that was booed at Cannes. It’s hard to believe that this lumbering misfire comes from Atom Egoyan, the once-brilliant director who gave us The Sweet Hereafter, Exotica and Felicia’s Journey. The strong cast (Rosario Dawson, Ryan Reynolds, Scott Speedman, Mireille Enos) is pretty much wasted, and a particularly misguided subplot involving Dawson’s abduction is simply abandoned. Boo. Japanese title: Shiroi Chinmoku (112 min) INSURGENT Forgive me if all these YA dystopian sci-fi fantasy franchises are starting to blur together (The Divergent Maze Games?). Nothing much happens in this second installment (of four!) in the Divergent franchise. At least it didn’t while I was awake. There’s little character development and the silly conceit of dividing the populace into five behavioral types is not advanced. The film industry’s thousands of CGI technicians, however, are kept employed. This amounts to great-looking, plodding padding. It’s franchise management. Shailene Woodley remains strong, though, and all the actors deserve more to do. Japanese title: Divergent Neo. (119 min) JOHN WICK There’s so much action and artful ultra-violence in this old-style gun-fu revenge f lick that you might not even notice its almost total lack of substance. And Keanu Reeves gets a needed career boost in a visceral role tailormade for him in that it requires little actual acting. A legendary mob hitman comes out of retirement when his muscle car is stolen by a dog-killing crime boss (Michael Nyqvist doing an excellent Eurotrash villain). Wick is apparently not a guy whose car you want to steal. True, not much of a plot; mostly it’s Reeves shooting people. Lots of them. Hardcore action fans don’t care. (101 min) MAGIC MIKE XXL OK, the 2012 original had a coherent story, a decent script, Matthew M c C o n a u g h ey, a n d C h a n n i n g Ta t u m ’ s dancing. The surprise hit was directed by Steven Soderbergh and was nicely self- contained. By comparison, this flaccid cash-grab has Channing Tatum’s dancing. Repetitive, grinding male-stripper routines alternate with some of the most unbelievably vapid dialogue to ever reach the screen. Of course, the target audience (and you know who you are) doesn’t give two hoots about such things as dialogue. This bachelorette party of a movie is Showgirls with the F-bomb. Not kinetic, not funny, not even sexy. (115 min) SURVIVOR In an attempt to show that Keanu Reeves (see John Wick) is not the only bad ac tor to fall back on cartoonish ac t ion fare, M illa Jovov ich play s an A merican antiterrorism exper t in London who snif fs out a ticking-clock plot to blow up Times Square on New Year’s Eve. But before she can act on it, she is framed (by glowering villain Pierce Brosnan, actually codenamed “The Watchmaker”) for a restaurant bombing that took out her entire team, and she’s on the run from the cops, the CIA, the terrorists, etc. Actioners don’t get any less original. Unintentionally hilarious script. (96 min) ©「罪の余白」フィルムパートナーズ Image.net Image.net NEW eiga This high-profile commercial release is based on the 2012 novel of the same name by You A shizawa. By Rob Schwartz The book grabbed literary awards, making the f ilm much anticipated. The thriller-suspense plot line is punctuated by melodrama, a technique typical of Japanese film. When Ando’s (Seiyo Uchino) daughter Kana (Mikako Yoshida) commits suicide by jumping off a ledge in her high school, he is understandably distraught and blames himself for not paying enough attention to her problems. As he investigates the circumstances, and starts talking to her friend Saki (Miyu Yoshimoto), the situation becomes more unclear. Was foul play involved? Is Saki, who seemed benign at first, playing mind games with Ando? She is clearly at the top of the pecking order in the school, and was involved in a beauty pageant with Kana. Could she be a killer? The mystery is reasonably well-executed and, if you ignore a bit of overacting by some of the principles, it’s an engaging ride. (120 min.) TSUMI NO YOHAKU NEW movie news The Japanese film industry is opening up to foreign talent, but leading roles are still rare. Yet that’s exactly what was offered to American-born Bryerly Long by director Koji Fukada for his latest film, Sayonara. Long plays a South African woman who stays behind when Japan is almost completely evacuated following a nuclear disaster. She faces her own mortality and feelings of not belonging, with her only companion, an android helper. Unlike other films that cast a human actor hidden in a costume, Sayonara uses an incredibly lifelike android. The robot actress was reunited with Long following the 2010 stage play that inspired the film. “In the play, I spoke in a somewhat robotic way to raise questions about who is human and who is not,” Long recalls. “That would make the character difficult to relate to in the longer film, so we developed it.” Long drew on her experience in Japan for the role. “When 3/11 happened, I was the lead in a play, so my leaving would have affected a lot of people,” she recalls. “I stayed and actually felt a stronger sense of community.” Long is excited to return to the Tokyo International Film Festival, where her first acting job in Fukuda’s Hospitalité screened in 2010. “I will be using my pass to see as many films as I can,” she says. Sayonara will screen at TIFF and then open theatrically January 21. Kevin Mcgue NEW NEW cinematic underground This year’s The Tokyo International Film Festival, running October 22-31, will again offer cinema fans the chance to see films from Japan and the rest of the world with English subtitles, including probing documentaries and major releases before they hit theaters. The centennials of two Hollywood legends born in 1915 will be celebrated at the fest. Ingrid Bergman: In Her Own Words (pictured) uses memoirs and home movies to give an intimate view of the actress, and Magician: The Astonishing Life and Work of Orson Welles includes reflections by friends and admirers, and heads a special program on the American auteur. Other documentaries include He Named Me Malala, about the teenage Nobel Peace Prize winner, and In Jackson Heights, a look at the ethnically diverse New York neighborhood by documentary master Frederick Wiseman. Highlights from Japanese filmmakers are Sion Sono’s latest Love & Peace, the animated Miss Hokusai about the daughter of the famed ukiyoe artist, and a 4K remastering of Akira Kurosawa’s epic Ran. Some upcoming major releases that can be caught early are the Charlize Theron thriller Dark Places, the 3-D disaster pic Everest, and a feature starring everyone’s favorite bear, Paddington. Tickets are on sale now. For a full schedule see http://2015.tiff-jp.net/en/. KM 17 arts&culture immediate or takes years of sitting on it. “Last Year” was written eight years ago. Even the basic track is from six years ago. I must have rerecorded it 20 times, and the first was the best. I’m happy to work on things for years and years, because I don’t feel the need to put anything out. It’s got to be right, or there’s no point. There’s a sense of humor to the songs. I think all of them! But it depends on your sense of humor. It’s not that humor doesn’t have a place—I think there should be more—but it depends on your sense of humor, and many don’t have the same sense of humor as me. I have a fairly black sense of humor—it’s all just death and sex. That’s all the lyrics are about: dying while having sex, or having sex after they’re dead. Half of this record is sung from the viewpoint of a dead person. Whether you find that funny or not depends on the person. MUSIC THE SONGS OF JIM O’ROURKE The American producer and multi-instrumentalist keeps it Simple BY DAN GRUNEBAUM Photos courtesy of Felicity B y the time Jim O’Rourke moved to Tokyo in 2001, he’d amassed a body of work— his own music, as part of Sonic Youth, and as producer—that made him a soughtafter figure. A mercurial musician whose music ranges from the melodic to the experimental, O’Rourke now prefers a more uncomplicated life than the one in the commercial record industry. Metropolis reached him in Hokkaido ahead of the debut of his new album, Simple Songs. Where are you and what are you doing? I’m on tour with [sax player] Akira Sakata in Yakumo for a gig put on by [the] city. People aren’t going to come to see a free jazz show in a place like this. It’s more doing tunes, which is good practice. Why a solo singer-songwriter album now? It sounds ridiculous, but if I’d done it by myself, I probably never would’ve put it out. I took about six years to make it, and there were three other people who played on recordings we made again and again. The fact I put it out is because I wanted to pay them, but I don’t even know if that will be possible. The last time I put out a record like this was 13 years ago, and the world has really changed—people don’t buy records anymore. You’ve said your way of working is hard for people to understand. In what sense? I’m very particular about things ... The hardest thing to get across to musicians here is that 18 tempo does not rule music. The metronome is not tempo; your heartbeat and the air around us are the tempo. Getting them off the metronome is really hard. Tell us about the creation of “Hotel Blue”. That song was originally written for a Koji Wakamatsu film. He insisted on there being an end roll song for the soundtrack I did. That stuck around as something I thought was worth working on. There were so many songs, and the question was, which made the arc of the record work? That was probably the last thing we did. In the end, all the sections that weren’t part of the original, I wrote in 20 minutes while everyone was downstairs having a cigarette break. At that point, Wakamatsu had passed away, so I wanted it on the record. He’s a big reason I moved here and finally learned Japanese. The record is dedicated to him. Do the best songs arrive in epiphanies? There’s no “in between” with me; it’s either What brought you to Japan? I started coming to Japan in ’92. From ’94 onwards, I came two to four times every year—about 50 times before I actually moved. I tried moving in my 20s, but was too young and didn’t speak the language. From that failure, I became determined. Over time, I’d come home and felt like I didn’t want to leave Japan; it didn’t feel like I was going home. What finally pushed me to move was Wakamatsu. He asked me to do music for his Red Army film, but said if I wanted to work on [it], I’d have to learn Japanese. He was teasing me a bit, but that was the kick in the ass I needed. I quit everything I was doing in the States, sold everything, and moved. What took the most to get used to about the Japanese music scene? I decided not to get used to it and quit producing. I just decided I didn’t want to participate. The first few years here, I had to work to get my visa, and I was obligated to do stuff because I’d take on the work. But then I decided I didn’t want to be part of it, so I’ve slowly removed myself to the point where I do my stuff off-the-map. At the same time, you have to make a living. I’m going to play this tour with Sakata, which is something I enjoy doing. But you wouldn’t usually find someone who’s done the sort of work I have being content doing a countryside tour for two weeks. I have no problem with that. I’ll do that, and be able to pay the bills for a couple months. I don’t want making a living to have anything to do with my own work. Are you here for the duration? Oh yeah, until I fall over. Sogetsu Hall, Oct 24-25. Read the full interview with Jim O’Rourke online. ART CAPTIVE BEAUTY Treasures from the Prado Museum BY C.B.LIDDELL All photos © Archivo Fotográfico, Museo Nacional del Prado. Madrid. María Luisa de Parma, Princess of Spain (1765) by Anton Rafael Mengs The Painter's Children in the Japanese Room (1874) by Mariano Fortuny y Marsal T he Mitsubishi Ichigokan was not always an art gallery. The original building—of which the present one is an exact copy—was actually built as a Victorian office building. Although it is now an art gallery, its design and dimensions are not what you would expect. Its spaces are smaller and, in a sense, more confidential, while its corridors and staircases are more maze-like. But while this presents constant challenges, it also has advantages. The present exhibition “Captive Beauty: Treasures from the Prado Museum” is a perfect fit, focusing on smaller canvases from the world-famous Spanish art museum. The spaces of the Ichigokan allow more intimate encounters with these works, most of which are by extremely well-known artists. Extraction of the Stone of Madness (1500-10) by Hieronymous Bosch The Virgin and Child (1480-90) by Hans Memling The collection of the Prado was originally formed around a nucleus of works accumulated by the Hapsburg and Bourbon monarchs, who ruled over Spain from the 16th to 19th centuries. While the Hapsburgs had strong connections to the Netherlands, the Bourbons were connected to France. Both dynasties looked to the art of Italy, so it’s very much a collection that covers the best of European art. This exhibition is a revival of one held at the Prado Museum itself in 2013. In transferring the show to Tokyo, it’s pleasing to see that the organizers have not compromised with lesser, fewer, or inferior works. Among the highlights are a selection of Flemish paintings that are full of the spirit and vitality of the departing Middle Ages. While the Italian Renaissance painters had their classical models and followed newly discovered laws of perspective, the strong points of their Northern counterparts were an incredible attention to detail, immaculate brushwork, and a vigorous imagination. We get a taste of this in Hans Memling’s The Virgin and Child with Two Angels (1480-90) and Hieronymus Bosch’s Extraction of the Stone of Madness (1500-10), which evokes the more hallucinogenic works for which he’s famous. Also worth noting are the sections of Mannerist and Baroque paintings. These are full of the emotive and showy imagery that was increasingly deployed by Catholic Europe in its “culture war” against the rise of Protestantism. Included here are some small paintings by El Greco, whose style yearns for the bigger canvas, a couple of poignant martyrdom scenes by Guido Reni, a voluptuous Tintoretto, and a selection of works by the tireless brush of Rubens. These are all a little noisy, so that the most impressive piece here is instead the court painter Diego Velázquez’s stern portrait of Francisco Pacheco, who was both Velázquez’s teacher and father-inlaw—an intimidating combination! These paintings coincide with the period of greatest Spanish power. Later years saw a period of decline, as Spain increasingly took on the character of a cultural backwater, occasionally enlivened by artists and influences from abroad, like the neoclassical precision of the German painter Anton Raphael Mengs, seen in his court painting María Luisa de Parma, Princess of Spain (1765). Spearheaded by several works of Goya, the exhibition pushes strongly into the 19th century, showing that, whatever the trends, Spain has always been a country with a strong artistic pulse—and in the muffled spaces of the Ichigokan, you can hear it beat. Mitsubishi Ichigokan Museum. Until Jan 31, 2016. 19 agenda WATCH LIST hot tickets NOV 2 Sibelius’ Complete NOV 3-4 Lee Ritenour and Dave Conducted by Hannu Lintu, performed by the New Japan Philharmonic, in Celebration of the 150th anniversary of Sibelius’ birth. Nov 2, 7pm. ¥6,000-10,000. Sumida Triphony Hall. Kinshicho. Tel: 03-5608-5404. http://j.mp/lintusibelius2015 Tickets on sale now Jazz musician and composer Ritenour with award-winning composer, arranger, and pianist Grusin. Nov 3, 5 & 8pm, Nov 4-5, 7 & 9:30pm. ¥8,800. Blue Note Tokyo. Omotesando. Tel: 03-5485-0088. http://j.mp/leeanddave2015 Tickets on sale now Symphonies Concerts POPULAR Masaki Batoh and Chris Rainier Solo Concert in Kyoto Solo performance with acoustic instruments and vocals performing in traditional Japanese and Tibetan style. Oct 16, 7-8:45pm. Cafe Independent. www.chrisrainierjapan-tour.com Grusin Slave. Oct 20-21, 7-9:30pm. ¥7,500-9,500. Billboard Live. Roppongi. Tel: 03-3405-1133. http://j.mp/ arrington2015 The Velvet Teen Indie rock trio from Sonoma County, California. Oct 26, 7:30pm. ¥4,000. Shindaita Fever. Shindaita. Tel: 03-6304-7899. http://j.mp/ thevelvetteen2015 Leo Sayer Hawaiian power-funk and hard soul. Toss in some face-melting rock riffs and you have a OWT show! Oct 16, 6:30-10:30pm. ¥2,000. Music Bar Melodia. www.rockfordrecords.com/ melodiatokyo British-born singer songwriter musician and entertainer who was a top singles and album act on both sides of the Atlantic in the 1970s. Oct 27 and 29, 7pm. ¥7,800-9,800. Billboard Live. Roppongi. Tel: 03-3405-1133. http://j.mp/ sayer2015 Eric Benét Courtney Barnett Grammy-nominated American R&B and neo-soul singersongwriter. Oct 16-18, 7-8pm. ¥8,900. Blue Note Tokyo. Tel: 03-5485-0088. http://j.mp/ ericbenet2015 Australian singer-songwriter known for her witty, rambling lyrics and deadpan singing style. Oct 30, 7pm. ¥5,500. Liquidroom. Ebisu. Tel: 03-5464-0800. http://j.mp/ barnett2015 One World Tribe Masaki Batoh and Chris Rainier Solo Concert in Omihachiman Shiga Acid folk, Japanese mystic folky music and chaotic improvisations. Oct 18, 7-9pm. Namba Bears. Tel: 06-66495564. www.chrisrainier-japantour.com Daryl Hall and John Oates American musical duo best known for their hits such as “Private Eyes,” “Rich Girl,” and “Kiss on My List.” Oct 19, 7pm. ¥10,000-11,000. Nippon Budokan. Kudanshita. http://j.mp/hallandoates2015 Fear Factory American metal band that was enormously influential on the heavy metal scene in the mid-to-late ’90s. Oct 20, 7pm. ¥7,500. Liquidroom. Ebisu. Tel: 03-5464-0800. http://j. mp/fearfactory2015 Albert Hammond, Jr. American musician and member of the indie rock band The Strokes, in which he plays guitar and keyboards. Oct 21, 7:30pm. ¥6,500. duo Music Exchange. Tel: 03-5459-8716. Oct 22, 7:30pm. ¥6,500. Astro Hall. Meiji-Jingumae. Tel: 03-3402-3089. http://j.mp/ hammondjr2015 Steve Arrington American singer-songwriter, and drummer, formerly of the renowned Dayton group 20 Whitesnake English rock band known for their hits “Here I Go Again” and “Is This Love.” Oct 30, 7pm. ¥9,800-20,000. Pacifico Yokohama. Minatomirai. Nov 2, 7pm. ¥9,800-20,000. Tokyo International Forum Hall A. Yurakucho. Tel: 03-5221-9000. http://j.mp/ whitesnake2015 Scott & Charlene’s Wedding Australian lo-fi pop band, supported by Boys Age, Potlucks, and Servals. Oct 31 (Halloween party), 4:30-10pm. Shichoshitsu Sono 2. Tel: 045-251-3979. Nov 1, 7pm to 11pm. Ruby Room. Shibuya. Tel: 03-3780-3022 (evenings) / 070-6969-4816 (daytime). www.tokyogigguide.com/sacw Miguel Grammy-winning American singer whose recent third album, Wildheart, was released to universal critical acclaim. Nov 3, 6pm. ¥7,500. Studio Coast. Shin-Kiba. Tel: 03-5534-2525. http://j.mp/ migueltokyo2015 Elliott Yamin Singer known for his hit single “Wait for You,” and for placing third on the fifth season of American Idol. Nov 8, 4:30pm. ¥6,800-8,800. Billboard Live. Roppongi. Tel: 03-34051133. http://j.mp/yamin2015 NOV 18 Elton John One of the best-selling music artists in the world, with more than 300 million records sold over the course of his five-decade career. Nov 18, 7pm. ¥15,000-18,000. Yokohama Arena. Shin-Yokohama. Tel: 045-4744000. http://j.mp/eltonjohn2015 Tickets on sale now NOV 21-22 Janet Jackson Known for a series of sonically innovative, socially conscious, and sexually provocative records, Jackson has been prominent in popular culture for over 25 years. Nov 21 at 4pm, Nov 22 at 5pm. ¥10,000-25,000. Saitama Super Arena. Saitama-Shintoshin. http://j.mp/janetjackson2015 Tickets on sale now for free JAN 8 & 15, 2016 Adam Lambert American singer who rose to fame after finishing runner-up on American Idol. Jan 8, 7pm. ¥7,500-8,500. Tokyo Dome City Hall. Suidobashi. Tel: 03-5800-9999. Jan 15, 7pm. ¥8,500. Ex Theater Roppongi. Roppongi or Nogizaka. Tel: 03-6406-2222. http://j.mp/adamlambert2016 Tickets on sale now Def Leppard DMA’s Battles The English rock band and pioneers of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal pours some sugar on Tokyo. Nov 9, 7pm. ¥12,000-13,000. Nippon Budokan. Kudanshita. http://j.mp/leppard2015 Sydney trio who came together making nostalgic garage-pop in a bedroom in Newtown. Nov 17, 7pm. ¥5,000. Daikanyama Unit. Daikanyama. Tel: 03-5459-8630. http://j.mp/ dmastokyo2015 An experimental rock trio formed in NY. Nov 25, 7-10pm. ¥6,500-¥7,000 +1d (at the door). Ex Theater Roppongi. Roppongi or Nogizaka. Tel: 03-6406-2222. www.beatink. com/Labels/Warp-Records/ Battles/BRC-480 Carly Rae Jepsen Mew The Canadian pop sweetheart tours for her new album, Emotion. Call the ticket office, maybe? Nov 17, 7pm. ¥8,000-9,000. Zepp DiverCity. Daiba. Tel: 03-3527-5256. http://j.mp/ carlyrae2015 Danish alternative rock band who classifies itself as “indie stadium.” Nov 25-26, 7pm. ¥6,500. Tsutaya O-East. Tel: 03-5458-4681. http://j.mp/ mew2015 Andy Fairweather Low & The Low Riders Welsh guitarist Low, who was a founding member of the 1960s British pop band Amen Corner, with Nick Pentelow, Dave Bronze, and Paul Beavis. Nov 6-9, 6:30-9pm. ¥8,50010,500. Cotton Club. Tokyo. Tel: 03-3215-1555. http://j. mp/andyfairweather2015 Dam-Funk The Pains of Being Pure at Heart American indie pop band from New York City whose latest album, Days of Abandon, was released in May of 2014. Nov 10, 7pm. ¥5,500. Club Quattro. Shibuya. Tel: 03-3477-8750. http://j.mp/pureatheart2015 Larry Graham & Graham Central Station American funk band founded by American bass guitarist Larry Graham. Nov 10-12, 7-9:30pm. ¥8,800-10,800. Billboard Live. Roppongi. Tel: 03-3405-1133. http://j. mp/grahamcentral2015 The Strypes Four-piece rock band from Ireland who drew inspiration from ’60s blues-boom and ’70s pub-rock bands such as Dr. Feelgood, Eddie and the Hot Rods, and The Rolling Stones. Nov 12-13, 7pm. ¥6,500. Studio Coast. Shin-Kiba. Tel: 03-5534-2525. http://j.mp/ thestrypes2015 Nell Korean indie rock band known for their gloomy and psychedelic sound, whose fourth studio album, Separation Anxiety, was a hit in South Korea. Nov 13, 7pm. ¥7,500. Akasaka Blitz. Akasaka. Tel: 03-35848811. http://j.mp/nell2015 Ron Sexsmith Canadian singer-songwriter whose music is generally melancholic pop-folk with elegant melodies, accentuated by the use of guitars and economic application of other instruments. Nov 16, 7pm. ¥6,500-8,500. Billboard Live. Roppongi. Tel: 03-3405-1133. http://j.mp/ sexsmith2015 American modern-funk musician, vocalist, and producer. Nov 17, 7pm. ¥6,500-8,500. Billboard Live. Roppongi. Tel: 03-3405-1133. http://j.mp/ damfunk2015 Thunder British hard rock band originally formed in 1989 when the band Terraplane broke up. Nov 30, 7pm. ¥8,00010,000. Ex Theater Roppongi. Roppongi or Nogizaka. Tel: 03-6406-2222. http://j.mp/ thundertokyo2015 JAZZ/WORLD Benny Sings Dutch pop artist Sings with special guest Asako Toki. Nov 21, 6pm. ¥6,000-8,000. Billboard Live. Roppongi. Tel: 03-3405-1133. http://j. mp/bennysings2015 Ohta-San and Herb Ohta, Jr. Sam Smith David Sanborn After the cancellation of his last Tokyo show, Sam Smith returns with his In The Lonely Hour Tour. Nov 24, 7pm. ¥8,000-14,000. Yoyogi National Gymnasium. Meiji-Jingumae. http://j. mp/samsmithtokyo2015 American alto saxophonist who has been described by critic Scott Yannow as “the most influential saxophonist on pop, R&B, and crossover players of the past 20 years.” Oct 19-22, 6:30-9pm. ¥10,800. Blue Note Tokyo. Tel: 03-5485-0088. http://j.mp/ sanborn2015 Father-and-son ukulele duo. Oct 17-18, 5pm-8pm. ¥7,0009,000. Cotton Club. Tokyo. Tel: 03-3215-1555. http://j. mp/ohtasanandjr2015 Discount event tickets Your source for discounted tickets to upcoming events— musicals, performance art, plays, leisure activities, cultural events, and more. Visit our shop in Shibuya or Ginza to check availability each day starting at 10am. We're the first discounted ticket shop in Japan that’s like the TKTS Discount Booths in New York! http://ticketstoday.jp/ by singer/producer Donnie Sundal and New Orleans guitar luminary Derwin “Big D” Perkins. Oct 27, 7pm. ¥7,000. Blue Note Tokyo. Tel: 03-5485-0088. http://j.mp/ boukougroove2015 Tommy Emmanuel Rudimental English drum‘n’bass band who rose to prominence in 2012 with their single “Feel the Love,” featuring John Newman. Nov 24, 7pm. ¥6,500. Liquidroom. Ebisu. Tel: 03-5464-0800. http://j. mp/rudimental2015 Ride British rock band whose debut album Nowhere has been named one of the greatest albums of the shoegazing genre. Nov 25, 7pm. ¥7,500. Zepp DiverCity. Daiba. Tel: 03-3527-5256. http://j.mp/ridetokyo2015 Arrested Development American alternative hip-hop group founded as a positive, Afrocentric alternative to the “gangsta” rap popular in the early 1990s. Nov 25, 7pm. ¥7,800-9,800. Billboard Live. Roppongi. Tel: 03-3405-1133. http://j.mp/ arresteddev2015 John McLaughlin and The 4th Dimension British jazz guitarist McLaughlin, joined by his electric fusion band, The 4th Dimension. Oct 23-25, 7-8pm. ¥8,800. Blue Note Tokyo. Tel: 03-5485-0088. http://j.mp/ mclaughlin2015 Mindi Abair and The Boneshakers Grammy-nominated contemporary sax sensation Abair with blues/rock/ jazz/R&B group The Boneshakers, featuring Sweet Pea Atkinson. Oct 24-26, 5-9pm. ¥7,500-9,500. Cotton Club. Tokyo. Tel: 03-3215-1555. http://j.mp/ abairboneshakers2015 Australian virtuoso guitarist best known for his complex fingerstyle technique, energetic performances and the use of percussive effects on the guitar. Oct 28, 6:30pm. ¥7,500-9,500. Cotton Club. Tokyo. Tel: 03-32151555. Oct 29, 7:30pm. ¥6,800. Tsutaya O-East. Tel: 03-5458-4681. http://j.mp/ emmanueleast2015 I’m With Her Trio consisting of Sara Watkins, Sarah Jarosz, and Aoife O’Donovan, whose first release, I’m With Her, boasts a riveting cover of John Hiatt’s “Crossing Muddy Waters.” Oct 28, 7pm. ¥7,000. Blue Note Tokyo. Tel: 03-5485-0088. http://j.mp/imwithher2015 Kamasi Washington American jazz saxophonist mainly known for his tenor playing, following in the traditions of John Coltrane and Albert Ayler. Oct 30-Nov 1, 7-8pm. ¥7,800. Blue Note Tokyo. Tel: 03-5485-0088. http://j.mp/washington2015 Ellen Oléria Boukou Groove A genre-bending collective touching on elements of New Orleans-style funk, R&B, soul, blues, and hip-hop formed Singer, musician, songwriter, and actress from Brazil specializing in genres such as Música Popular Brasileira, funk, and samba. Nov 2, 7pm. ¥6,800. Blue Note Tokyo. Tel: 03-5485-0088. http://j.mp/ oleria2015 David Benoit featuring Sara Gazarek Jazz pianist Benoit with jazz singer Gazarek. Oct 30-Nov 2, 6:30-9pm. ¥8,000-10,000. Cotton Club. Tokyo. Tel: 03-3215-1555. http://j.mp/ benoitandgazarek2015 Deodato Brazilian pianist most known for his innovative rendition of Richard Strauss’ classical opus Also Sprach Zarathustra, more commonly known as the theme to 2001: A Space Odyssey. Nov 2 at 7pm and 8:30pm, Nov 3 at 4:30pm and 7:30pm. ¥6,800-8,800. Billboard Live. Roppongi. Tel: 03-34051133. http://j.mp/deodato2015 Glenn Miller Orchestra Swing/jazz big band originally formed by Glenn Miller in 1938. Nov 4, 6:30pm. ¥5,0007,000. Bunkamura. Shibuya. Tel: 03-3477-9111. www. bunkamura.co.jp/english/ orchard The Vanguard Jazz Orchestra Featuring music with complexyet-warm harmonies and memorable melodies mostly written by Thad Jones, VJO plays various styles, from relaxing swing and ’70s-style jazz-funk to ballads with complex harmonic structures. Nov 5-7, 7-9pm. ¥6,900-8,900. Billboard Live. Roppongi. Tel: 03-3405-1133. http://j.mp/ vanguardjazz2015 Kendrick Scott American jazz drummer, bandleader, and composer who is also the founder of the World Culture Music Record Company. Nov 10-11, 7-9:30pm. ¥7,800. Blue Note Tokyo. Tel: 03-5485-0088. http://j.mp/kendrickscott2015 Lizz Wright American jazz/R&B singer and composer who started singing gospel music and playing piano in church as a child. Nov 14-15, 5-8pm. ¥8,500. Blue Note Tokyo. Tel: 03-54850088. Nov 17-18, 6:30-9pm. ¥8,500-10,500. Cotton Club. Tokyo. Tel: 03-3215-1555. http://j.mp/lizzwright2015 Joe Porcaro Quartet Quartet led by American jazz drummer Porcaro, featuring Emil Richards. Nov 13-15, 6:30-8pm. ¥8,800-11,000. Cotton Club. Tokyo. Tel: 03-3215-1555. http://j.mp/ porcaroquartet2015 CLASSICAL Flux Quartet American string quartet dedicated to the performance of contemporary classical music, renowned for its performance of Morton Feldman’s String Quartet No. 2, which lasts for over six hours. Oct 17, 3pm. ¥4,000. Kanagawa Kenmin Hall. Nihon-ōdōri. Tel: 04-5662-8866. http://j.mp/ fluxquartet2015 Gidon Kremer and Kremerata Baltica Violinist Kremer and the Kremerata Baltica Chamber Orchestra perform Piazzolla’s Las Estaciones, S. Umebayashi’s Japanese Four Seasons, and more. Oct 21, 7pm. ¥4,000-12,000. Suntory Hall. Roppongi-itchome. Tel: 0570-55-0017. http://j. mp/kremerata2015 Jazz Meets Classic Pianist Makoto Ozone takes on classical pieces with world-renowned jazz saxophonist Branford Marsalis and the Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra. Oct 24, 5pm. ¥3,000-5,000. Tokyo Bunka Kaikan. Ueno. Tel: 03-3828-2111. www.t-bunka. jp/en. Oct 25, 3pm. ¥3,0005,000. Olympus Hall Hachioji. Hachioji. www.olympus. hall-info.jp The Philharmonics Consisting of four members of the Vienna Philharmonic, one member of the Berlin Philharmonic, and two extraordinarily gifted brothers, The Philharmonics’ performances are informed by the sound culture and earnestness of the Wiener Philharmoniker. Oct 26, 7pm. ¥6,500. Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre. Ikebukuro. Tel: 03-5391-2111. http://j.mp/ philharmonics2015 Beethoven: Complete Piano Concertos With the Partitura Project, led by Maria João Pires, and the New Japan Philharmonic. Oct 27, 7pm. ¥5,0009,000. Sumida Triphony Hall. Kinshicho. Tel: 03-5608-5404. http://j.mp/ partituraproject2015 Czech Philharmonic Orchestra Conducted by Jiří Bělohlávek, with performances of Smetana’s Šárka, Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto in e minor, op. 64, and more. Oct 28, 7pm. ¥7,000-20,000. Suntory Hall. Roppongi-itchome. Tel: 0570-55-0017. http://j.mp/ czechphil2015 Deutsches SymphonieOrchester Berlin Conducted by Tugan Sokhiev, with performances of Schubert’s Rosamunde Overture D.797, Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto in e minor op. 64, and more. Oct 30, 7pm. ¥5,000-18,000. Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre. Ikebukuro. Tel: 03-5391-2111. http://j.mp/ deutsches2015 Chamber Orchestra Sagamihara An all-Mozart program including Eine kleine Nachtmusik, Symphony No. 29, and more. Oct 31, 2pm. ¥5,000. Mori no Hall. Hashimoto. Tel: 042-775-3811. http://j.mp/ sagamiharachamber2015 Deutsches SymphonieOrchester Berlin Conducted by Tugan Sokhiev, with performances of Mendelssohn’s Die Fingals-höhie Overture, op. 26, Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No.3 in c minor, op.37, and more. Nov 3, 2pm. ¥7,000-19,000. Suntory Hall. Roppongi-itchome. Tel: 0570-55-0017. http://j.mp/ deutschesberlin2015 Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra Conducted by Hannu Lintu, with Akiko Suwanai on the violin. The program includes Sibelius’ Finlandia, op. 26, Violin Concerto in d minor, op.47, and more. Nov 4, 7pm. ¥5,000-13,000. Suntory Hall. Roppongi-itchome. Tel: 0570-55-0017. http://j.mp/ finnishradiosymph2015 NHK Symphony Orchestra Conducted by Tatsuya Shimono, with performances of Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 3 in d minor, op. 30, and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7 in A Major, op. 92. Nov 8, 4pm. ¥4,0006,500. Saitama Bunka Center. Minamiurawa. Tel: 048-866-3171. http://j.mp/ nhksymphsaitama2015 Nov 21, 3-5pm. ¥3,000 (adv)/¥3,500 (door). Matsuo Hall. Yurakucho or Ginza. Tel: 03-3539-1845. plus. google. Li Yundi: All Chopin Program Ageha Chinese classical pianist Yundi performs Chopin’s Piano Concerto No. 1 in e minor, op. 11 and Piano Concerto No. 2 in f minor, op. 21. Nov 11, 7pm. ¥6,00015,000. Suntory Hall. Roppongi-itchome. Tel: 0570-55-0017. http://j.mp/ yundichopin2015 Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra Conducted by Gustavo Gimeno, with performances of Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 2 in G Major, op. 44 and Symphony No. 6 “Pathétique” in B minor, op. 74. Nov 12, 7pm. ¥8,00033,000. Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre. Ikebukuro. Tel: 03-5391-2111. http://j.mp/ royalconcertgebouw2015 Japan Philharmonic Orchestra Conducted by Pietari Inkinen, with performances of Sibelius’ Scene Historique, Suite No. 2, op. 66 and more. Nov 15, 2:30pm. ¥4,000-5,000. Sagami Green Hall. Sagami-ōnō. Tel: 042-749-2200. http://j.mp/ jpnphilinkinen2015 Teresa Carreño Youth Orchestra of Venezuela Conducted by Christian Vásquez, with performances of R.Strauss’ symphonic poem Don Juan, op.20, Rachmaninov’s Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, op. 43, and more. Nov 17, 7pm. ¥1,500-6,000. Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre. Ikebukuro. Tel: 03-5391-2111. http://j.mp/ teresayouth2015 HR-Sinfonieorchester Conducted by Andrés OrozcoEstrada, with a program including Glinka’s overture Ruslan and Lyudmila, Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1 in b-flat minor, op.23, and more. Nov 18, 7pm. ¥6,000-17,000. Suntory Hall. Roppongi-itchome. Tel: 0570-55-0017. http://j.mp/ hrorchester2015 Clubbing FRIDAY 16 Party Up. EDM. DJs Kento, Fumi Yeah, etc. 11pm. (m) ¥3,000, (f) ¥2,000. Shinkiba. Tel: 03-55342525. www.ageha.com Air DJ Hell. Techno, house. DJs Hell, Wada, etc. 10pm. ¥3,500. Shibuya. Tel: 03-5784-3384. www. air-tokyo.com Sound Museum Vision Hyper Society. House, all mix. DJs Tanaka, Nishizawa, etc. 10pm. ¥3,000. Shibuya. Tel: 5728-2824. www.visiontokyo.com The Room T2 Shibuya Mixx. EDM. DJs Dantz, Omoto, etc. 10pm. (m) ¥3,500 w/1d, (f) ¥2,500 w/2d. Shibuya. Tel: 5428-8692. www.t2-shibuya.com The New Matrix Bar Saturday Night Fever. Hip-hop, R&B, reggae. DJ Ykk and more. 6pm. ¥1,000 (after 10pm). Roppongi. www.matrixbar.jp Conducted by Andrés OrozcoEstrada, with performances of Glinka’s overture Ruslan and Lyudmila, Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1 in b-flat minor, op.23, and Brahms’ Symphony No. 1 in c minor op. 68. Nov 19, 7pm. ¥4,00017,000. Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre. Ikebukuro. Tel: 03-5391-2111. http://j.mp/ frankradiosymph2015 Teresa Carreño Youth Orchestra of Venezuela Conducted by Christian Vásquez, with performances of Bernstein’s Overture to Candide, Berlioz’s Symphonie fantastique, op. 14, and more. Nov 21, 3pm. ¥1,5006,000. Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre. Ikebukuro. Tel: 03-5391-2111. http://j.mp/ teresayouth2015 Eri Tsuchiya Piano Recital Annual recital at the Steinway Salon Tokyo by established concert pianist Eri Tsuchiya. Rosie. Rock. DJs Koki, Nina, etc. 7-11pm. ¥1,000. Shibuya. www.theroom.jp Womb WEDM. EDM. DJs Hiroki, Yo, etc. 10pm. (m) ¥1,500, (f ) free. Shibuya. www. womb.co.jp THURSDAY 22 Air Magic. House, disco. DJs Sarasa, Kawasaki, etc. 9pm. ¥2,500 w/1d. Shibuya. www. theroom.jp Stripped Down. House, techno. DJs Kabuto, Norio, etc. 10pm. ¥2,500 w/1d. Shibuya. Tel: 03-57843384. www.air-tokyo.com The Room Club Asia Ray Van. EDM, electro. DJs Takeru, Fukushima, etc. 11pm. (m) ¥3,000 (f) ¥1,500. Shibuya. Tel: 03-54582551. www.clubasia.co.jp Womb Club Asia Session. Techno, house. DJs Danny Tenaglia, Ohnishi, etc. 11pm. ¥4,000. Shibuya. www.womb.co.jp Five. All mix. DJs Baba, Caol, etc.10:30pm. ¥1,000. Shibuya. Tel: 03-54582551. www.clubasia.co.jp Microcosmos SUNDAY 18 T2 Soup Lounge. All good music. DJs Clm, Yua, etc. 12am. ¥2,000. Shibuya. Tel: 5784-5496. www. microcosmos-tokyo.com Sound Museum Vision EDM Union. EDM. DJs Romeo Blanco, Hirata, etc. 10pm. ¥3,500. Shibuya. Tel: 5728-2824. www.visiontokyo.com T2 Shibuya Mixx. EDM. DJs Tujamo, Shu, etc. 10pm. (m) ¥4,000 w/1d, (f) ¥2,500 w/2d. Shibuya. Tel: 5428-8692. www. t2-shibuya.com The New Matrix Bar Matrix Friday. Old-school hip-hop, west side, south side, all mix. DJ Ykk and more 6pm. ¥1,000 (after 11:30pm). Roppongi. www.matrixbar.jp T2 Global Allmix Party. All mix. DJs Takashi, Passion, etc. 10pm. (m) ¥2,500 w/1d, (f) ¥1,500 w/2d. Shibuya. Tel: 5428-8692. www.t2-shibuya.com Hand’s Up. World mix. DJs Kiyoto, Shu, etc. 10pm. (m) ¥2,500 w/2d, (f ) ¥1,500 w/2d. Shibuya. Tel: 5428-8692. www. t2-shibuya.com Womb Womb EDM Sunday. EDM. DJs Liquid Boys, Na-Oh, etc. 4-10pm. (m) ¥2,500, (f)free. Shibuya. www.womb.co.jp Play the Beat. EDM. DJs Kenta, Goshun, etc. 10pm. (m) ¥1,500, (f)free. Shibuya. www.womb.co.jp FRIDAY 23 MONDAY 19 Air Integration. House, techno. DJs Yogurt, Tune, etc. 10pm. ¥2,500 w/1d. Shibuya. Tel: 03-5784-3384. www. air-tokyo.com R&S Records. Techno, dubstep. DJs Kudo, Nori, etc Live: Alex Smoke and more 10pm. ¥3,500. Shibuya. Tel: 03-5784-3384. www. air-tokyo.com Sound Museum Vision Club Asia Join. J-pop. DJs Yatsu, Yu-Ki, etc. 10pm. (m) ¥2,500 w/1d, (f) ¥2,000 w/1d. Shibuya. Tel: 5728-2824. www.visiontokyo.com Elephant. Hip-hop. DJs Kaneko, Watanabe, etc. 11pm. ¥3,000 w/1d. Shibuya. Tel: 03-54582551. www.clubasia.co.jp T2 Daikanyama Unit Monday. EDM. DJs Bobby, Kenta, etc. 10pm. (m) ¥2,500 w/2d, (f) ¥1,500 w/2d. Shibuya. Tel: 5428-8692. www.t2-shibuya.com P-Vine 40th Anniversary. Hip-hop. Live: 1982S, Bbh and more. 11pm. ¥3,500. Daikanyama. Tel: 03-5459-8630. Womb Liquidroom Gekiyaba Set. EDM, house. DJs Shoho, Ryota, etc. 10pm. ¥1,500 w/1d. Shibuya. www. womb.co.jp House of Liquid. House, techno. DJs Deep, Takahashi, etc. 11pm. ¥3,000. TUESDAY 20 Microcosmos Air The Room Wah Wah. Rare groove. DJs Matt Sullivan, Kitazawa, etc. 10pm. ¥2,500 w/1d. Shibuya. www.theroom.jp Womb Infected Mushroom. EDM, trance. DJs Infected Mushroom, Dantz, etc. 12am. ¥3,500. Tel: 03-5459-0039. Shibuya. www.womb.co.jp SATURDAY 17 Ageha Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra DJs Mai-My, Shu, etc. 10pm. (m) ¥2,500 w/2d, (f) ¥1,500 w/2d. Shibuya. Tel: 5428-8692. www. t2-shibuya.com Goa Trance Wonder Night. Goa trance. DJs Goasia, Tsuyoshi, etc. 11pm. ¥3,500. Shinkiba. Tel: 03-55342525. www.ageha.com Air The Choice. Techno, house. DJs Tasaka, Kuwata, etc. 10pm. ¥2,000 w/1d. Shibuya. Tel: 03-5784-3384. www.air-tokyo.com Air Prins Thomas. House, disco. DJs Prins Thomas, Yogurt, etc. 10pm ¥3,500. Shibuya. Tel: 03-57843384. www.air-tokyo.com Ruby Room Open Mic. 7pm. ¥1,500 w/2d. Shibuya. Tel: 03-3780-3022 (evenings) / 070-69694816 (daytime). www. rubyroomtokyo.com Club Asia Jupiter. All mix. DJs Habanero Posse, Hal, etc. 11pm. ¥3,000 w/1d. Shibuya. Tel: 03-54582551. www.clubasia.co.jp Daikanyama Unit A Full Wania Sound. DJ Sotofett. 11pm. ¥3,000. Daikanyama. Tel: 03-5459-8630. Microcosmos City Hunter. Hip-hop. DJs Alamaki, Keita, etc. 12am. ¥2,000 w/1d. Shibuya. Tel: 5784-5496. www. microcosmos-tokyo.com Highness. All good music. DJs Taar, Ymasa, etc. 12am. ¥2,000 w/1d. Shibuya. Tel: 5784-5496. www. microcosmos-tokyo.com T2 Shibuya Mixx. EDM. DJs Baby-T, Fumi, etc. 10pm. (m) ¥4,000 w/1d, (f) ¥2,500 w/2d. Shibuya. Tel: 5428-8692. www. t2-shibuya.com The New Matrix Bar T2 Super Tuesday. EDM. DJs Dask, Baby-T, etc. 10pm (m) ¥2,500 w/2d, (f) ¥1,500 w/2d. Shibuya. Tel: 5428-8692. www.t2-shibuya. com Matrix Friday. Old-school hip-hop, west side, south side, all mix. DJ Ykk and more. 6pm. ¥1,000 (after 11:30pm). Roppongi. www.matrixbar.jp The Room Womb Tuemix. EDM. DJs Alpha One, Reon, etc. 10pm. (m) ¥1,500, (f) free. Shibuya. www. womb.co.jp WEDNESDAY 21 T T2 Shibuya Girls Party. EDM. Champ. Funk, jazz. DJs Stimpy, Tominaga, etc. 10pm. ¥2,500 w/1d. Shibuya. www.theroom.jp Womb Bdep. EDM, bass. DJs Naoto, Kagula, etc. 11pm. ¥3,500. Shibuya. www. womb.co.jp 21 Dance The Sleeping Beauty Performed by The Matsuyama Ballet, with music performed by the Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra. Oct 24, 3:30pm. ¥3,000-10,000. Kanagawa Kenmin Hall. Nihon-ōdōri. Tel: 045-633-3686. http://j.mp/ matsuyamasleeping2015 age. Until Oct 18, 11am-8pm. Free. Spiral. Omotesando. Tel: 03-3498-1171. http://j.mp/ spiralspectrum2015 OCT 30, 31; NOV 1 & 3 Dance Dance Asia A project designed to encourage collaboration and support exchange between and among dance companies and dancers in Southeast Asia, with a focus on street dance and a variety of other genres, such as jazz and contemporary dance. Watch performances by groups such as Wrecking Crew Orchestra, Reckless, Blue Tokyo, and more. Oct 28-30, 7pm; Oct 31, 3 & 7pm; Nov 1, 4:30pm. ¥3,000-4,000. Setagaya Public Theater. Sangenjaya. http:// dancedanceasia.com/en Tales of Hoffmann Ballet which fascinates with its theme of love woven by richly individual stage presences such as the hero, Hoffmann, who appears in various life stages from youth to the onset of old age, the three women whose hearts he stole, and the devil who appears in a multitude of roles under different guises. Oct 30, 7pm; Oct 31, 1 & 6pm; Nov 1 & 3, 2pm. ¥3,240-12,960. New National Theatre Tokyo. Hatsudai. http://j.mp/ hoffmann2015 Stage Das Rheingold Wagner’s opera which took its theme from the German Nibelungenlied (“The Song of the Nibelungs”) and Nordic myths, conducted by Taijiro Iimori. Oct 17, 2pm. ¥5,40027,000. New National Theatre Tokyo. Hatsudai. http://j.mp/ dasrheingold2015 Murmurs A tour of whirlwind romance, city confusion, undersea encounters, and diningroom debacles told through a blend of theatre, illusion, and dance by director and designer Victoria Thierrée Chaplin with Aurélia Thierrée. Oct 16, 7:30pm; Oct 17-18, 3pm. ¥4,000. Setagaya Public Theater. Sangenjaya. http:// setagaya-pt.jp “Tokyo’s premier multidisciplinary rehabilitation center” • Assessments and treatments Club 360 is a multidisciplinary health performed by a team of and fitness center, which also offers internationally trained, registered and personal training, group classes, experienced physiotherapists. boxing and kickboxing. • Private treatment rooms • Large, fully equipped rehab gym • Central location 3 min walk from Roppongi Hills • Consultations available in English and Japanese Sports injuries Musculoskeletal and spinal conditions (neck and back pain) Ergononomic and postural assessments Gait assessments Rehabilitation programs Address: B1 CMA3 Bldg, 3-1-35 Moto Azabu, Minato-ku • Nearest stn: Roppongi Hours: Open Mon-Sat 6:30am-9:00pm, Sun 8:00am - 2:00pm • Tel: 03-6434-9667 22 Exhibitions ENDING SOON Hiroyuki Matsuura: Super Acrylic Skin - Trigonal Clone Graphic designer Matsuura has made Japan’s cartoon character culture a theme of his artistic expression since 1999, and has been working in an increasingly broad range of media, including painting, sculpture, and prints. Until Oct 17, 11am-7pm (until 5pm on Sat), closed Sun, Mon, & hols. Free. Tokyo Gallery + BTAP. Shimbashi. Tel: 03-3571-1808. http://j.mp/ matsuuraacrylic2015 Spectrum: Examining Today, Searching for the Future Exhibition celebrating Spiral’s 30th anniversary, which showcases the work of four artists who tackle the constraints of daily life and the limitations of the modern on the historical context, providing an opportunity to think about the future of Tokyo, and other cities, by exploring their future structure through the visions of creators who develop the latest ideas and methodologies. Until Nov 8, 11am-7pm. Free. Tokyo Wonder Site Hongo. Ochanomizu, Suidobashi, or Hongo-sanchome. Tel: 03-5689-5331. www. tokyo-ws.org/english BALLET TALES OF HOFFMANN What is Realist Painting? The National Ballet of Japan opens 2015/2016 season with a new production of Tales of Hoffmann, three tragic love stories of the poet Hoffmann. Choreographed by Peter Darrell and music by Jacques Offenbach. Oct 30, 7pm; Oct 31, 1 & 6pm; Nov 1 & 3, 2pm. ¥3,240-12,960. New National Theatre Tokyo. Hatsudai. www.nntt.jac. go.jp/english/ The Art of Bulgari: 130 Years of Italian Masterpieces Graphic Trial Collection 2006-2015 Exhibition showcasing works produced for Graphic Trial, a project that explores the possibilities of graphic design and printmaking where leading creators collaborate with printing directors from Toppan Printing to produce original posters. Oct 8-24, 11am-7pm. Free. Tokyo Midtown Design Hub. Roppongi or Nogizaka. Tel: 03-6743-3775. http://j.mp/ graphictrial2015 ONGOING Pioneer of Photojournalism An exhibition of works by the renowned photojournalist Margaret Bourke-White, who, through her contributions to Life magazine and various other publications, exerted tremendous influence on the development of photojournalism in Japan. Until Nov 2, 10am-7pm. Free. Fujifilm Square. Roppongi. Tel: 03-6271-3350. http://j.mp/ bourkewhite2015 Preserving Heritage: The Nezu Collection In commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the foundation of the museum, this exhibition focuses in particular on paintings, calligraphies, and tea utensils. Until Nov 3, 10am-5pm, closed Mon. ¥1,000-1,200. Nezu Museum. Omotesando. Tel: 03-34002536. www.nezu-muse. or.jp/en The Last Impressionists: Time of Intimacy Showcasing works by artists who were active in Paris during the start of the 20th century, such as Carrière, Aman-Jean, and Le Sidaner. Until Nov 8, 10am-6pm (until 8pm on Fri), closed Mon. ¥650-1,000 (adv)/ ¥800-1,200 (door). Sompo Japan Museum of Art. Shinjuku. Tel: 03-54058686. www.sjnk-museum.org Robin Fry: Gary’s Lilies Exhibition of new paintings by Robin Fry, a Berlin-based Canadian artist who is known as an abstract painter and performing artist. Oct 2-Nov 8, 1-7pm, closed Mon & Tue. Free. Hiromart Gallery. Edogawabashi. Tel: 03-6233-9836. http:// hiromartgallery.com OS-XX Prelude to the Operating Systems of the Future City The exhibition examines the operating system (OS) of cities and explores themes based Exploring the diversity and potential of realist painting through 54 works of landscapes, figures, and more. Until Nov 15, 10am-5:30pm, closed Tue. ¥900-1,800. Hoki Museum. Toke. Tel: 043-2051500. www.hoki-museum. jp/en This exclusive exhibition will highlight the jewelry and watches of Bulgari that defined a pivotal period in Italian design. Until Nov 29, 9:30am5pm. ¥800-1,400. Tokyo National Museum. Ueno. http://j.mp/artofbulgari2015 Okubo Toshimichi and the Times He Lived In The museum’s first exhibition presenting their complete collection of material relating to Okubo Toshimichi, who led the Meiji Restoration and the establishment of modern Japan. This exhibition presents correspondence and other articles left by him, and explores his life and achievements. Oct 6-Dec 6, 9:30am-4:30pm. ¥450-830. National Museum of Japanese History. Keisei-Sakura. www.rekihaku.ac.jp/english Kimono Modernism This exhibition showcases bright and colorful meisen, a type of kimono, created from the Taisho to the Showa Period that adopted modern American designs such as prints of roses and tulips. Sep 26-Dec 6, 10am-5pm, closed Mon. ¥500-800. Sen-Oku Hakuko Kan. Roppongi-itchome. Tel: 03-5777-8600. www.sen-oku. or.jp/english From Ukiyo-e to Photography: Cultural Awakening in Japan’s Visual Field Showcasing the various expressions found in ukiyo-e and photographs from the end of the Edo Period to the beginning of the Meiji Era. Oct 10-Dec 6, 9:30am-5:30pm (until 7:30pm on Sat), closed Mon. ¥470-1,140 (adv)/ ¥680-1,350 (door). Edo-Tokyo Museum. Ryogoku. Tel: 03-3626-9974. www. edo-tokyo-museum.or.jp/en The Genesis and Development of Landscape Painting Showcasing works from the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna, of attractive European landscapes. Until Dec 7, 10am-7pm (until 9pm on Fri & Sat). ¥500-1,300 (adv)/ ¥700-1,500 (door). Bunkamura: The Museum. Shibuya. Tel: 03-5777-8600. http://j.mp/ wienlandscape2015 Kuriki Tatsusuke Kuriki Tatsusuke (1943–2013) was an artist who, after flourishing at the Asahi Ceramics Art Exhibition and the Nitten Exhibition, demonstrated a unique talent in the ceramic art world by devoting himself to his own viewpoint and theory of form. This exhibition will try to identify his clear approach to art and modern ceramics. Oct 8-Dec 13, 10am-5pm, closed Mon. ¥400-700. The National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo. Takebashi. Tel: 03-5777-8600. http://j.mp/ tatsusuke2015 paintings are characterized by substantial matière and a depiction of mysterious light veiled in a transparent glow that keenly depicted human suffering, love, and hope. Oct 24-Dec 20, 10am-5pm (until 7pm on Fri), closed Mon. ¥700-1,000. Idemitsu Museum of Arts. Tokyo. www.idemitsu.com/museum/ honkan Niki de Saint Phalle Showcasing works by French sculptor and painter Saint Phalle, who created a garden called Giardino dei Tarocchi in Italy, containing sculptures of the symbols found on Tarot cards. Until Dec 14, 10am-6pm (until 8pm Fri), closed Tue. ¥600-1,400 (adv)/ ¥800-1,600. The National Art Center, Tokyo. Nogizaka. www.niki2015.jp Captive Beauty: Treasures from the Prado Museum Drawn entirely from the Prado’s extraordinary holdings, the exhibition brings together works by a range of illustrious painters who contributed significantly to the history of European art, such as El Greco, Goya, and Murillo. Oct 10-Jan 31, 10am-6pm (until 8pm on Fri), closed Mon. ¥1,500 (adv)/ ¥1,000-1,700 (door). Mitsubishi Ichigokan Museum. Tokyo. Tel: 03-5405-8686. http://mimt. jp/english The Great Terracotta Army of China’s First Emperor This exhibition brings together artifacts with connections to the First Emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang, while exploring the “everlasting world” of his terracotta army and its mysteries. Oct 27-Feb 21, 9:30am-5pm, closed Mon. ¥700-1,400 (adv)/ ¥900-1,600 (door). Tokyo National Museum. Ueno. http://j.mp/ terracottaarmy2015 Sports SOCCER FC Tokyo vs. Shonan Bellmare Oct 17, 2pm. ¥600-6,200. Ajinomoto Stadium. Tobitakyu. Tel: 04-24400555. www.fctokyo.co.jp/ english Open Space 2015 FC Tokyo vs. Urawa Reds Explore an array of representative, historical, and new works from the realm of media art, as well as the results of research activities at educational institutions. Until Mar 6, 11am-6pm, closed Mon. Free. NTT Intercommunication Center. Hatsudai. Tel: 0120-144199. http://j.mp/ openspace2015. Oct 24, 2pm. ¥600-6,200. Ajinomoto Stadium. Tobitakyu. Tel: 04-24400555. www.fctokyo.co.jp/ english The Golden Legend Be dazzled by the gold artifacts created 6,000 years ago that shine just as bright today. Until Jan 11, 9:30am-5:30pm. (until 8pm on Fri), closed Mon. ¥600-1,400 (adv)/ ¥800-1,600 (door). The National Museum of Western Art. Ueno. Tel: 03-5777-8600. www.nmwa. go.jp/en Architect Frank Gehry: I Have an Idea This exhibition focuses on ideas that are the driving force behind Gehry’s creativity, tying together the background behind formation of ideas, the process up to their completion, and the unchanging conviction and strong commitment of the architect. Until Feb 7, 10am-7pm, closed Tue. ¥500-1,100. 21_21 Design Sight. Nogizaka. Tel: 03-3475-2121. http://j.mp/ frankgehry2015 UPCOMING Tsuyoshi Ozawa: The Return of Painter F Solo exhibition by Tsuyoshi Ozawa, who is known for works full of humor and wit that provide commentaries on history and the times in which we live with supple sensitivity and creativity. Oct 23-Dec 27, 11am-7pm (until 6pm on Sun & hols), closed Mon. Free. Shiseido Gallery. Shimbashi. Tel: 03-3572-3901. www. shiseidogroup.com/gallery Georges Rouault: In Search of the Inner Light Showcasing works by Georges Rouault (1871-1958) who is one of the representative French artists of the 20th century. His The Process of Making Picture Books with Author/ Illustrator Keiko Kasza Details about the process of picture book creation, the challenges and hardships Kasza goes through to satisfy her publisher, readers and herself. Oct 24, 6-7:30pm. ¥800 (members)/¥1,200 (nonmembers). Tokyo Women's Plaza. Omotesando. Tel: 03-54671711. http://japan.scbwi.org Film Brasil Bam Bam Bam: The Story of Sonzeira Documentary about Gilles Peterson’s new Brazilian music collective “Sonzeira.” Until Oct 16, various times. ¥1,500. Uplink Cinema. Shibuya. Tel: 03-6825-5503. www. brasilbambambam.jp Tokyo International Film Festival The 28th edition of TIFF will screen over 200 movies. Almost all Japanese and foreign-language movies will have English subtitles. Oct 22-31, various times and ticket prices. http://2015. tiff-jp.net/en/ Other Events OCT 24 FC Tokyo vs. Sagan Tosu Nov 22, 1:30pm. ¥600-6,200. Ajinomoto Stadium. Tobitakyu. Tel: 04-24400555. www.fctokyo.co.jp/ english Comedy New Material Night Standup, improv, and trying out new stuff. Oct 20 & Nov 3, 8-10pm. Free. Double Tall Cafe. Shibuya. Tel: 03-5467-4567. http:// tokyocomedy.com/new_ material_night Community Half-Fast Cyclists Bicyclists of all treads meet for slideshows, lectures, ride-planning, etc. Every second Wed, 7pm. Free. The Pink Cow. Roppongi. Tel: 03-6434-5773. www.thepinkcow.com Learning Cultural Education in Germany and Japan: The Case of the Children’s Opera “Traumspiel” A German-Japanese symposium led by experts on education, scholars and project personnel. Oct 21, 2-8pm. Free. GoetheInstitut Tokyo-Europa Saal. Aoyama-itchome. Tel: 03-3584-3201. http://j.mp/ traumspiel2015 SHIBUYA OTONA HALLOWEEN PARTY Join the biggest Halloween party in Shibuya, with live disco music, performances featuring traditional Japanese instruments, and a costume contest! Oct 24, 5-10pm. Free entry. Food & drink tickets ¥1,000. 9F Shibuya Hikarie 2-21-1 Shibuya. Shibuya. Tel: 03-4335-9606. www.otonahalloween.com/e/ Night Wonder Aquarium Wander through Enoshima Aquarium at night, when it’s transformed into an art space that changes in relation to the movement of the fish. Until Dec 25, 5-8pm. ¥1,0002,100. Enoshima Aquarium. Katase Enoshima. Tel: 0466-29-9960. www.enosuiwonderaquarium2015.com Sundai Charity Halloween Spider! The campus of Sundai College is transformed into a haunted house, with all profits going to the Japanese Red Cross. Oct 31, 10am-3pm. ¥100. Sundai College of Business & Foreign Languages. Ochanomizu. Tel: 0120-51-4185. www.sundaigaigo.ac.jp The Use of Art in Politics: Lecture and Open Talk A lecture by Professor Klaus-Dieter Lehmann, president of the GoetheInstitut, and open talk with Professor Morihide Katayama, cultural critic. Oct 22, 5:30pm-9pm. Free. GoetheInstitut Tokyo. Aoyamaitchome. Tel: 03-3584-3201. http://j.mp/artinpolitics2015 MORE LISTINGS ONLINE → HTTP:// METURL.COM/ LISTINGS 23 Metropolis and its Classifieds section are printed every other week. The upcoming publication dates and corresponding deadlines for print are as follows. This does not affect the online Classifieds, where ads are visible immediately after they are approved. FRI, OCT 30, ISSUE Deadline: Oct 22, 3pm FRI, NOV 13 ISSUE Deadline: Nov 5, 3pm 2.5 PLACE WANTED Luxury apartment/house sought, 55sqm+, Minato-ku (Hiroo/Ebisu ok), no move-in other than rent; American and Japanese, both professionals, responsible; will pay ¥200,000¥400,000/m. 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JF, 30s, seeks Danes and Germans to help her with languages in Tokyo/Kanagawa through fun conversations over cups of coffee or just hanging out. Please be nonsmokers. [email protected] Dutch and Japanese. Japanese male, 35, seeking Dutch-J language exchange partner via LINE or Skype, or around Niigata. [email protected] English and Japanese. Open-minded Japanese female, 23-40, sought for language exchange and socializing. Serious only. Call Bobby at 0905589-6864 or 080-8118-4073 or email [email protected]. English and Japanese. UK guy, 43, wants to communicate with a Japanese person. Let's exchange languages by LINE or in person in Tokyo. [email protected] English and Japanese. Hi, I'm a JF, early 30s, seeking a language exchange partner. I'm not a teaching professional, but if you are interested in studying with me, please mail me. Female preferred. [email protected] English and Japanese. I'm working on a game to learn E and am seeking some people to play with. Let's study and play at the same time! 遊びながら勉強! [email protected] English and Japanese. E/J exchange for book writing on healing field of interest. Ikebukuro area. winds_fr@ hotmail.com English and Japanese. JF seeks an exchange partner in the daytime on weekdays at Kawasaki Stn. tome. [email protected] English and Japanese. Interesting, well- educated, cute S JM seek s native English speakers in Tokyo for a language exchange. Let's meet once or twice/week to improve our language abilities. I'm sure that it'll be a wonderful experience. Just email me. [email protected] English and Japanese. Hello, I'm a female university student seeking partners who can exchange languages with me. My native language is J. I'm looking forward to hanging out and chatting with you guys soon. pkygc516@ yahoo.co.jp English and Japanese. Japanese seeking native English speaker for more natural and well-mannered English. I am a curious and studious person, spending time on NPO activities about poverty and education. We should get along if your interests are similar. akito.tanaka@ crest.ocn.ne.jp English and Japanese. Japanese lady seeking a native speaker of American English for language exchange in the Roppongi or Omotesando area. Serious only. Thanks! patricia_idaida@yahoo. co.jp English and Japanese. Hi, JF seeking a native English speaker for language exchange and friendship. I can teach you J in return. Yokohama, Kawasaki, Tokyo area. [email protected] English and Japanese. I'm a JF, 25, working in Tokyo, seeking a female exchange partner who can speak J and E. Let's have fun improving our skills! [email protected] English and Japanese. Asian-American male, 38, seeking E /J language exchange partner around Akabane, Kawaguchi or Ikebukuro. Can meet in the morning, afternoon or early evenings. M/F ok. 返事は日本語大丈 夫! [email protected] English and Japanese. Interesting, well- educated, cute S JM seek s native English speakers in Tokyo for a language exchange. Let's meet once or twice/week to improve our language abilities. I'm sure that it'll be a wonderful experience. Just email me. [email protected] English and Japanese. I'm a JF in Tokyo. I want to be able to speak English better. M/F ok. I work in Ikebukuro. Sometimes, I go to Omotesando, Shibuya, Shinjuku. I enjoy coffee. [email protected] English and Japanese. I'm a Japanese guy seeking a native English speaker for language exchange in person in Kichijoji or Nerima. I can teach you J in return. [email protected] English and Japanese. Hi, I'm Kotone, 21, female, living in Chiba. I want to learn E. If you're studying J, I'd like to do language exchange with you in Tokyo or Chiba. [email protected] French and Japanese. Fr and J exchange and book collaboration in Ikebukuro. I'm a French book writer, 50. I seek a language exchange partner. I'm learning J. I like mikkyo and aromatherapy. I hope you like the same things. [email protected] French and Japanese. I'm a JM, 27, from the Shibuya area, seeking a native French speaker to help me improve my French. I'd be happy to help you improve your Japanese in return. Let's enjoy our languages. takashi.nakajima38@ gmail.com French and Korean. Bonjour, I am a French guy living in Tokyo. I'm seeking a Fr-Kor exchange. I am a beginner. I can speak J. [email protected] French, English, Japanese. Hello, I'm a Japanese female, living in Tokyo, seeking a native English speaker. I am friendly and open-minded. I just want to have a casual conversation. Please feel free to message me. [email protected] Indonesian and English. Japanese lady seeking a native speaker of Indonesian for language exchange in the Roppongi or Omotesando area. Serious only. Thanks! patricia_idaida@ yahoo.co.jp Korean and Japanese. Japanese male, 42, seeks a native Korean speaker for Kor/J exchange. I like music, reading, cooking. I hope we can learn from each other and have some fun. astralsky@ excite.co.jp 英語と日本語。 僕はイギリス人. 毎日日本 語を勉 強してる. で も 言 語 交 換にいつも失 敗しちゃう. [email protected] 3.6 LEARNING: GENERAL Wine teacher in Tokyo. Teach me about French wine in Tokyo on weekends. Prefer a native teacher with teaching experience and a wine qualification. Will pay for your time. frenchwinetasting@ hotmail.com 4 HOUSEHOLD GOODS 4.1 FURNITURE & FITTINGS Bed, queen (170x200cm), dark wood, as new, disassembled, w/instructions for assembly ¥10,000. Mattress (160x200cm), clean, two y/o ¥5000. Pick up near Kasai Stn, Tozai Line. [email protected] Bed, loft, double (H180xL200xW100cm), white metal, w/upper and lower mattresses, no stains or damage ¥10,000. Shipping extra. Kohoku, Adachi-ku. [email protected] Cabinet, large, teak, in very good condition ¥29,000. Firm. No delivery, but can introduce a delivery company. [email protected] Dresser, solid oak ¥5000. Pick up only Toyosu. [email protected] Rack, multipurpose (H180xW75xD20cm), five y/o, in decent condition, minor stain and damage ¥3000. Shipping extra. Kohoku, Adachi-ku. michalhrouda@ mac.com Table, dining, solid wood, w/wheels, in good condition, no chairs. New ¥30,000. Sell ¥5000. Pick up only Toyosu. [email protected] 4.2 APPLIANCES P a s t a /n o o d le m a ke r, P h i l i p s HR2365/01, new, still in box ¥18,000. Pick up Edogawa-ku or pay for delivery yourself. [email protected] 4.3 SAYONARA SALE Sayonara sale! iMac, '09. New ¥200,000. Sell ¥30,000. End tables ¥2000/each. PC desk, oak ¥4000. Air circulator, w/heater ¥6500/obo. And more. [email protected] 4.6 FOR KIDS Windbreaker, Puma, size 130cm, black, in good condition ¥1000. Pick up or chakubarai. Photo available. housetsu@ gmail.com 5 HOBBIES&INTERESTS 5.1 CAMERAS Digital camera, Lumix DMC GF6, tilting, touch-screen display, hinged flash, quick autofocus, clean JPEG output, ISO 3200, fast startup, Wi-Fi, w/two lenses (45-150mm zoom lens and 14-42), charger, battery, bag, holder ¥20,000. [email protected] 5.2 SPORTS EQUIPMENT Exercise gym, Fighting Road, and weights. New ¥65,000. Sell ¥20,000. Pick up Toyosu. [email protected] 5.3 MUSICAL EQUIPMENT F R E E J A PA N E S E C O O K I N G A N D C U LT U R E C L A S S E S . Demo classes taking place in O c t (call igrap hy, craf t s , origami) for foreigners. Price: free. Original value over ¥10,000. Requirements: S N S fee db ack , take p hotos and videos. Contact: himawari1212iloveyou@ yahoo.co.jp (Uchiyama) www.yoitoko.org 3.9 TEACH ME! English lessons. JM, 35, seeks native English teacher for reasonably priced lessons at a cafe in central Tokyo. [email protected] Ping pong, swimming, cooking for 英会話. 卓球, 水泳, 料理, 日本 語など得意ですか? Please teach me anything! I can teach you English. Asian-American male, 30s. Email me. [email protected] Drum, Pearl stainless steel shell drum, w/case and stand (double-braced Tama), in great condition, shiny, few scratches, sounds great ¥ 5000/ obo. Pick up Machida. legoyoeego@ yahoo.ca Electric guitar, Epiphone Les Paul Custom ¥35,000. Di Marzio super distortion pickups, Grover tuners, Schaller roller bridge, Schaller strap locks and strap, Korg tuner. markcopi@ aol.com Electric guitar, Fender Stratocaster, Mexico, three-tone sunburst, '99 model, very rarely played ¥45,000 [email protected] Guitar repair tools for high-level craftsman. [email protected] 090-1258-7546 5.4 BOOKS/CD/DVD French books, 17, in good condition, sold as set only ¥2000. Pick up Omotesando Stn. Heavy, so bring a cart. [email protected] The majority of classified ads have moved online! classifieds.metropolis.co.jp 6 VEHICLES 6.1 CARS, PARTS, & ACCESSORIES Benz C200 Wagon Kompressor, Avantgarde, white, ETC, leather seats, xenon adjustable lights, navi, back camera, distance sensor, keyless drive, Bluetooth, aluminum wheel, 46,000km, shaken till Aug '16 ¥2.6 million. No dealers or auction people. [email protected] Wagon R Limited, ‘06, 112,000km, in good condition, w/two years of shaken. ¥240,000. [email protected] 6.2 MOTORBIKES, PARTS, & ACCESSORIES Gentsuki moped, never used, in excellent condition, insurance until Sep 1, ‘16 ¥20,000/obo. Pick up only Akebonobashi. Will go to kuyakusho to change registration if required. [email protected] Helmet, Schuberth R1, full-face, w/visor, German-made, in good condition, hardly used, size L 58-59, "dark ice" color, w/ box, cover, manual. New ¥64,000. Sell ¥30,000 [email protected] 6.3 BICYCLES, PARTS, & ACCESSORIES Folding bike, almost new ¥7500. [email protected] Mountain bike, brand-new, imported from France, back carrier, disc brake, suspension fork, w/pump, extra inner tube, lock, bike bag ¥55,000. elsa. [email protected] Mountain bike, Rocky Mountain Blizzard, X T brake levers, brake calipers leaked so have been changed, SRAM shifters and derailleurs, RaceFace cranks, Magura 100XC forks, Mavic rims, five y/o. New ¥350,000. Sell ¥150,000. [email protected] Road bike, Giant TCR, size M frame, yellow and black, in excellent condition, currently disassembled (pick some of the parts I have for assembly at a bike shop). New ¥226,000, Sell ~¥40,000. Price depends on parts (Shimano/ Campagnolo/etc). cjriach@hotmail. com 08055275093 Road bike, Time, carbon, ‘08, Dura Ace gears and brakes, FSA SLK compact (50/34) carbon crankset, XL (60cm). New ¥450,000. Sell ¥105,000. morris1638@ gmail.com 090-2219-4197 7 GENERAL 7.2 FASHION E X- W E TA WORKSHOP DESIG NE R on The Hobbit now bringing his own hand-crafted jewelry and chainmail to market. Only the highest quality materials used. Order online and follow our Facebook page. http://on.fb.me/1HI4kG8 Boots, Colin Stuart for Victoria's Secret, thigh-high, black, genuine suede, 12cm heel, size US 10/Japan 26.5/EU 42, in good condition. Details, photos available. [email protected] Flip-flops, Olukai brand, XL, made in Hawaii, never worn. New ¥6000+. Sell ¥3000. Pick up Shinjuku. likeme4u@ hotmail.com Raincoat, Cecilene, size M, ivory, slight stain on the neck ¥500. Pick up or chakubarai. Photo available. housetsu@ gmail.com 7.3 MISCELLANEOUS Elton John concert tickets, three available, for Nov 18, 7pm. New ¥18,000/ each. Sell ¥16,000/each. charlesvro@ kha.biglobe.ne.jp Fire safe. New ¥15,000. Sell ¥2000. Pick up only Toyosu. [email protected] 7.4 ITEMS WANTED Furniture. If you are leaving Japan soon and want to sell or leave your stuff, I'll consider buying/taking most or all of it. Please send me details. mako_ [email protected] 8 COMPUTERS 12 SOCIAL SCENE 8.2 HARDWARE 12.1 LET’S PARTY PLAY RUGBY. The Tokyo Crusaders are a friendly but keen international rugby club. Devoted to the game and its social side, the “Cru” welcomes all players and supporters. www. facebook.com/tok yo.crusaders www.tokyocrusaders.com Laptop, Dynabook Qosmio G20/390LS PQG20390LS, XP operating system, 17" screen, GeForce, 160GB, in good condition ¥4000. [email protected] 10 HELP! 10.1 HELP ME Climate expert needed. Need a guest speaker to appear on a YouTube streaming show to talk about man-made climate change and what to expect in the future. assassin.wolves.films@ gmail.com http://frozen-frame.wix.com/ ageofreason English to Japanese or Russian. I have suffered a stroke. In Nishi-Kokubunji, I have written a series of 31 small books in English. If you have time to help with proofreading or translating, please contact me. [email protected] J O I N TH E B I G G E S T, B E S T, M O S T P O P U L A R I N T E R N AT I O N A L PA R T Y ! Great people, drinks and food! Meet new friends and party with nice people in a friendly atmosphere. E ve n t s i n To k yo (G i nz a , Azabu, Roppongi) and Osaka. ¥1500- ¥2000. http://english.gaitomo.com [email protected] Professional oil massage wanted. Seeking a professional or student masseur. Can pay ¥7000/90min or exchange English or Italian. Serious only. No shiatsu—only aroma oil massage. Thanks. [email protected] Show promoting atheism seeking co-hosts. We are seeking atheist/agnostic individuals who would be interested in co-hosting Age of Reason, a livestream show that promotes positive atheism, knowledge and common sense. assassin. [email protected] http://frozenframe.wix.com/ageofreason 10.2 SUPPORT I N T E R N AT I O N A L E V E N T S . Looking to join a variety of i n t e r n a t i o n a l e v e n t s? T h e Tokyo Spontaneous Hangout Meetup Group has events such as international parties, picnics, free live English comedy, one-day trips, language exchange and many more. Check this link for further detail s; w w w.meetup.com/ tokyoites 13 CLUBS & INTERESTS PHONE COUNSELOR TRAINING PROGRAM. Fall ‘15 in Tokyo: Oct 3 - Dec 5. In-person and online training sessions available. For more info, visit www.telljp.com or email [email protected]. THE JAPAN HELPLINE, 24 hours a day, from anywhere, about anything. From emergency assistance to simple questions. Visit www.jhelp. com/ and press “help,” or call 0570 - 000 -911. To volunteer or support, please contact team@jhelp. com. www.jhelp.com WEST PAPUA: ONE SOUL, ONE PEOPLE . Fif t y-t wo year s ago, West Papua should have been an independent country. Since 1969, West Papua has been invaded and the people robbed of their rights, culture and country. Help support West Papuans’ desire to be free. http://tapol.gn.apc.org papuansbehindbars.org HIV Peer Support group and workshops. Get together with people in the same boat as you, who understand. Held in a safe, considerate, 100% confidential setting to discuss what’s on your mind, ask questions and make new friends. [email protected] www. peersupporttokyo.com Infertility support group. TTC Tokyo is an infertility support group that provides informal opportunities for women and men experiencing infertility to connect with one another. Please visit website for more info. [email protected] www. ttctokyo.org 10.3 LOST FRIENDS Seeking Mindy. Is Mindy Mack, a petite blonde teaching assistant from L.A., still in Tokyo? Any info appreciated. [email protected] level ok. Please email for details. [email protected] www. funwithtouch.com/where-we-play 13.1 SPORTS TA M B O U R E L L I . U n i q u e n e w sp or t from S cotland . Using a tambourine-like instrument as a racket, players hit a shuttlecock. We play two or three times/month on weekends in Meguro with many socials. Join us! More details: www. tamjapan.org/en/ [email protected] PLAY RUGBY Tok yo Crusaders RFC are friendly but keen international rugby club. Devoted to the game and its social side, the “Cru” welcomes all players and supporters. http://www.facebook. com/tokyo.crusaders http://www. tokyocrusaders.com All-level tennis group in Tokyo. Serious and motivated tennis players sought by active tennis group to join their weekly sessions in central Tokyo. We have advanced and intermediate groups on weekday evenings. Beginner and low-intermediate also welcome. No entrance or membership fees. Reasonable participation fees. tokyo. [email protected] Badminton club in Tokyo. Small international group seeks players from abroad. If you know basic footwork, strokes and play seriously, you could definitely enjoy playing with us. [email protected] http://www. geocities.jp/mune_albat/page4.html Baseball player. Japan Amateur Baseball team is seeking players for baseball games and practices. We play every Sat and Sun in Yokohama City. Everyone welcome. Email for details. [email protected] Don’s Half-Fast Flash-Mob Weekend Urban Bicycle Rides. halffastcycling@ hotmail.com OKINAWA TRADITIONAL KARATE SEMINAR IN TOKYO (SHINJUKU, SHIBUYA), Oct 30, 31, Nov 1. International Meibukan Gojuryu Karate Do Association, with president, Akihito Yagi. Please email if you are interested. meibukantokyo@gmail. com Please access Facebook fanpage at https://m.facebook. com/meibukantokyo. AMERICAN FOOTBALL. Nihon Unisys Bulls, X league Central Division, seeks fit players w/US college football experience for all positions. Practice every Sat/Sun from 10am-3pm (including meeting) in Tokyo/Saitama (time and venue subject to change). Attendance at practice must be over 60%. Please contact for tryout info and send your profile to team admin. bullsxleague@ gmail.com www.unisys.co.jp/football A L L - N AT I O N A L I T Y TO U C H FOOTBALL. Non-contact tag rugby (OZ tag) and Rugby League players. We play every Sat from 10am in Tatsumi. M/F and beginners welcome! Good exercise and fun! Many other activities, such as BBQs and drinking parties! Email for details. [email protected] http://ameblo.jp/tokyo13warriors A M AT E U R R U G B Y L E A G U E PLAYERS. Japan ANZACS Rugby League team is seeking Rugby Le a g u e p l aye r s fo r J a p a n e s e Ru gby League of f icial games from Apr to Sep. Everyone welcome. Contact for more details. [email protected] FUN WITH TOUCH RUGBY! Join us for social or competitive touch rugby every Sat at 2:30pm by Ariake Stn, Yurikamome Line. Any age, sex, Football /soccer players. Tokyo Redstar, Setagaya League 1, is seeking soccer players. Practice almost every Sat/Sun in Tokyo. Players in a spirit of fair play welcome. [email protected] http://tokyoredstar.com Women’s football club. Five-aside, 11-a-side, on grass fields. Two or three practices/matches on Sun. All nationalities, experience levels, beginners welcome. Happy and friendly club! We have many socials. [email protected] 13.2 LEISURE MACARTHUR HEIGHTS. Ta ke a b r e a k w h e r e G e n e r a l Douglas MacArthur did! One hour from Tokyo by car or direct train. Beautiful cabins on the ocean, w/onsen, beach, shopping. [email protected] Drunk Poets Tokyo. Drunk Poets See God! Every last Fri of the month, we convene to flex our English muscles and get into the spirit of poetry. Bar Gari Gari, Ikenoue Stn. Find us on Facebook! [email protected] Japanese home cooking. Japanese housewife offers free home cooking lessons to females at her house near Kawasaki Stn on weekdays during the day. Free, but you pay the cost of ingredients. tome.haruka-soushi@ ezweb.ne.jp Tokyo ET contact group. Join us beneath the stars as we make contact with ET visitors and their craft. [email protected] www. meetup.com/Tokyo-ET-Contact-Group/ events/193113322 13.4 MUSIC Musicians. Seeking bass, guitar and vocals. We play and practice twice/ month in Tokyo. If interested, feel free to contact us. 興味のあるお問い合わせ. [email protected] Seeking funk/soulful vocalist to help bring the funk to our band. Practice is in Shibuya. Would be a plus if inquirers could play an instrument as well since we perform instrumentals. sebuuuuuuu@ gmail.com Still seeking cellist and violinist. This is what I need from you: imagination, not script. Play from the heart. I am a musician, a guitarist, with a need for something more elegant. strungup66@ gmail.com 13.5 MIND, BODY, SPIRIT Futsal players wanted by a very friendly international team. Practice is in Tokyo and Kanagawa on Sat. Details available. [email protected] Diamond Way Buddhism Tokyo. Do you want to explore your own mind? Guided Buddhist meditation every Sun, 6pm, near Azabu-Juban. International practitioners, beginners welcome, Japanese spoken. Please call 090-3598-3072 for more information. [email protected] http:// www.diamondway.jp Futsal team. Intermediate futsal team in Tokyo seeks people who can enjoy the game with others. Please introduce yourself (full name, age, nationality, where you live, whether you belong to another team). umek2002jp@yahoo. co.jp Zen meditation (Zazen). You’ve always thought it would be interesting to try it—why not now? Join us Fri evenings at Tokuun-in in Ueno. Make arrangements in advance by email, and check our home page. [email protected] www.wgthorpe.com International futsal, five-a-side, on weekends in Tokyo. Friendly club, all nationalities welcome. djnorio0417@ yahoo.co.jp 魂の色ー道場 カフェ. ライトワーカ Quality football. Interested in playing football at the weekend and training midweek? Want to enjoy a few beers after a good run out? If you consider yourself a quality player, please drop us a note. [email protected] Seeking Japanese archery companions. Let’s do kyudo near Tokyo. Once/month for three hours, weekends only. See website for details. [email protected] http:// jmty.jp/tokyo/com-spo/article-q7li Tennis in central Tokyo. Active group of tennis friends in central Tokyo welcomes serious/motivated new players. We play on weekday evenings and weekends. Different levels (sorry, no beginners), fun training sessions and games with great people from all over. tennis.tokyo@ yahoo.fr Volleyball Club Intervoll. Japanese and foreign volleyball players gather in Takadanobaba to enjoy playing. Have volleyball experience and want to play in a friendly atmosphere? inter [email protected] http:// intervoll.sakura.ne.jp/ ーヒーリング。任意の助けのための 私に連絡してください。 winds_fr@ hotmail.com 14 PERSONALS 14.1 FRIENDS American English speakers! Let's talk. Hi, I used to live in NY, but since I relocated, I haven't had many opportunities to talk in English. Let's talk in English! Mature nonsmokers only. Please send photo. [email protected] Coffee in Machida. Would anyone from Western countries (especially northern Europe) like to have a cup or two of coffee together with an English-speaking JF, 30s, in/around the Machida area? Please be nonsmokers. [email protected] Dansker i Tokyo? JF, 30s, boet i KBH befor og vil gerne laere sprog&kultur mere. Nogen dansker i Tokyo omraade til at moedes? Please be ikke-ryger, Glaeder mig til at hoere fra jer snart! [email protected] Friends from all over the world. Japanese lady is seeking friends who can hang out in Tokyo. Anyone ok, but not seeking a date. Thanks! patricia_idaida@ yahoo.co.jp Friendship. I'm an Asian male, 27, an IT engineer in Musashi-Kosugi, Kawasakishi. I'm kind, polite, respectful, seeking a good friend with whom I can talk, go out for lunch, cycle, do sports (badminton, etc.), explore the city, etc. prakash. [email protected] Halloween party friend. Halloween is almost here. I'd like to go to a Halloween party in Roppongi in a costume. I need a companion. I am a SJ, 30s. kitty333@ mymelody.com Hiking mates in Chichibu. European man, 50s, seeking hiking mates and cultural exchange in Chichibu on weekends. [email protected] Latin guy seeking friends to dance with. Hello! I'm a Spanish-Italian guy seeking friends-only to dance with one evening. If you like to dance, let me know! I'm super friendly and respectful. robobologna@ hotmail.com Not Japanese? UK chap, internationally traveled, working near the Imperial Palace, seeking international people for drinks and chats after work. Any nationality ok, but English speakers only. Tell me your story in a few lines when you contact me. greenteais.yummy@ gmail.com Ping pong in Tokyo. Seriously seeking table tennis partner for practice around Kanda on Fri evenings, two or three times a month. Amateur, preferably intermediate level. M/F, any nationality/ age, family or married couple with kids also welcome. yucary_tokyo@yahoo. co.jp Seeking friends. Hi, I'm an American man in Tokyo. I'm a bit lonely and seeking friends/companionship. Do you want to have dinner or go for a walk? 165135@ riseup.net Seeking Japanese friends. Hi, I'm a UK male, 27, living in Tokyo, hoping to make Japanese friends. I can speak a good level of Japanese, but am happy to speak English. Please feel free to reply. Thank you. kenandrews388@ yahoo.co.uk 14.2 MEN LOOKING FOR WOMEN Angel. Seeking someone to drink coffee with and chat, drink wine, sing karaoke and laugh our heads off together in Soka. Mature woman preferred. [email protected] Are you married and lonely? Are you seeking passion in life? Do you need physical and mental stimulation? Then contact me so I can make your wishes come true. adventureconsultant@ yahoo.com Asian-American from New York seeking friends. Good-looking AsianAmerican, 38, living in Tokyo, seeking a kind woman for a relationship. I speak fluent English and Japanese. 日本語ok. [email protected] Attractive, exotic Japanese male seeks romance. Bilingual Japanese male, mid30s, educated in Europe, seeking a caring, honest woman for a long-term relationship. I have a variety of hobbies and interests. Waiting for your response. [email protected] British gentleman seeking Japanese lady for long-term relationship. Educated, intelligent, professional, calm, polite and kind, 46, loves physical closeness, seeking a cultured and attractive lady for happy times together. Thank you. [email protected] Caring and cute SJM seeks attractive, hearty, nonsmoking Western female for friendship. I simply would like to share fun, interesting, great experiences with you. If you feel the same way, just drop me a line. You won't be disappointed. [email protected] Cute, interesting Japanese male for SWF. Seeking attractive Western female with a nice smile. Let's chat over coffee or nice food. I am looking forward to your nice reply and introduction. Just try once. [email protected] Cute, sweet and smart Japanese man seeks SWF who seeks secret happy events in her spare time in Tokyo. Single/ married ok. Shall we begin to talk? I think this opportunity will be a great one for us. [email protected] 25 Many more classified ads online! Visit classifieds.metropolis.co.jp JOBS CHAT HOSTS AND TEACHERS WANTED BY LEAFCUP in Tok yo, Iidabashi, S h i b u y a , Yo k o h a m a . S e e k i n g enthusiastic, prof icient English, French, Spanish and/or German speakers who can teach and lead lively conversations. ¥1000-¥1500/h. A p p l y o n l i n e : h r @ l e a f c u p .co m leafcup.com/job Ends Oct 31 SEEKING BARTENDER AND HALL STAFF. Asia De New York, a new restaurant opening in Omotesando (3min walk from Omotesando Stn), is seeking part-time bartender and hall staff ¥1100-¥1500/h (training period of 100 hours ¥1000/h). Conversational English and Japanese required. Must be able to work more than three days/week, six hours/day between 9am and 11:30pm. Please contact 03-5464-0074 for more information. www.tsukada-global.holdings/en ART MODEL NEEDED. Nude model required for sophisticated art project. Willing to offer attractive modeling fee. Privacy is 100% respected. Serious only. Mail: [email protected] JapanTravel .com JOIN US IN INTRODUCING JAPAN TO THE WORLD. Seeking energetic , bilingual individuals with a passion for travel and interest in tourism. We offer excellent career paths and promotion prospects and are an equal- oppor tunit y employer. Positions available include account manager, designer, develop er, project manager. Visit our jobs page for details. To apply, please send your resume to [email protected]. http://en.japantravel.com/jobs November 26 J A P A N T R A V E L I N T E R N S H I P. J a p a nTr a v e l . c o m i s s e e k i n g E/J bilingual interns to join the largest tourism website in Japan. Multiple opportunities in content, sales/marketing and web/design. No salary, but transportation and business expenses provided. Minimum three months, chance for full-time position. Please send your resume (E/J) to [email protected]. To advertise: [email protected] 03-4588-2277 G E R M A N B E E R R E S TAU R A NT, FRANZISKANER BAR&GRILL ROPPONGI, IS SEEKING PART-TIME KITCHEN STAFF. Japanese ability required, European looks preferred ¥1200-¥1500 (after midnight). Roppongi Hills. Email CV to HR Manager Kondo. keiichi.kondo@ zato.co.jp 0120-233-182 www.zato-trd. co.jp/shoplist/shop02.html CREATIVE , AMBITIOUS BILINGUAL SALES STAFF IN ROPPONGI. Do you like meeting new people and driving a project through to completion? Are you excited by a challenge? Join Metropolis’ sales team and work in a fast-paced international environment. Sales experience required, events/ project planning experience a plus. To apply, send your E/J resume to jobs@ metropolisjapan.com. E NTH U S I A S TI C , A DA P TA B LE W E B DEVELOPER. As our online media presence continues to grow, Metropolis is seeking a motivated web developer to improve our existing online products and more. Experience with WordPress a must, along with ability to use Git to track and manage code. There will also be opportunities to test yourself both creatively and artistically. To apply, send your E/J resume to jobs@ metropolisjapan.com. WANT TO HELP CREATE METROPOLIS? We’re seeking social media, web, and editorial interns. Great opportunity to gain experience in a multimedia company ! To ap p l y, send intro let ter, CV and relevant clips to [email protected]. BLOGGERS SOUGHT. Metropolis is seeking three American bloggers who can travel five nights in Tohoku this autumn and write the travel stories on their blogs. Travel expense, hotels, tour fees and guarantee are provided. Please send your profile and link of your blog to [email protected]. メトロ ポ リス は バ イリン ガ ル( 日 英 )の 営 業 ア シ ス タ ントと ス タッ フ を 募 集 して い ま す。 是非 、私 達の広告マーケティングチームに加わ りませんか! 応募条件:責任感をもって勤勉に 取り組める方、協 調 性 があり、意 欲を持って主 体 的に働ける方を募 集しています。営業 経 験の ある方は歓 迎します。フルタイム ( M o n - Fr i , 9:30am-6:30pm) で働ける方に限ります。 [email protected] Do you like Japanese men? Seeking a casual relationship with a nice female who is attractive and honest. I am a SJM, a thinker, gentle, look like an artist and free man. Let's hang out together! [email protected] Friendship with free English lesson. Me: SM IT engineer, 27. You: SJF for friendship. We can meet for lunch, walking, cycling, sports, etc. Free English lesson, too. Just be kind and friendly. See you! prakash. [email protected] Fusion of love and inspiration. Let us cultivate a fusion of love and inspiration, sharing Japanese culture, romance, passion, and the tao of the art of love. I am an English book writer, 52, living in central Tokyo. [email protected] Gastronomic delights anyone? Mature Western-educated Japanese gentleman seeks fun-loving and sophisticated partner for gastronomic escapade in Tokyo. Sorry, no vegetarians. [email protected] Horticultural therapist for wilted flowers in Tokyo. Currently available for consultation over glass of wine. What are your symptoms? Multilingual SJM, 45. [email protected] Intelligent conversation? I am seeking a nice and intelligent Japanese woman, 35-50, for good conversation first and more later if things progress. Married, but relationship is not close anymore. Very fit and speak Japanese well. petelacock99@ yahoo.com Italian, English, Japanese. I am an Italian man, 48, working as a professional in central Tokyo. I am seeking a Japanese woman to exchange It/E/J. vbcfgt@ hotmail.com Japanese male seeks romance. I am 41, seeking someone who lives around Tokyo so we can see each other often. My hobbies are listening to music, watching movies, reading books, traveling. Let's get to know each other. hiro11923@gmail. com 090-6925-2360 Japanese male, 42, single, seeks sincere, warm, open-minded white female for friendship and romance. I am generous, nonsmoking, like traveling, reading, philosophy and enjoying my life. [email protected] Let's be together. C aucasian businessman, fit, witty and fun, 180/80/50, seeks a steady girlfriend in Tokyo. I see you as a tall, voluptuous lady, up to 35, in need of a warm, long-term relationship. [email protected] Lonely Latino in Tokyo. Single male, mid30s, lonely in Tokyo, seeking discreet fun times with a JF, 20-50, married/attached/ single ok. Central Tokyo. Serious replies only. Looking forward to hearing from you. Your photo gets mine. tennistycoon@ gmail.com Married American for married. Married American male seeking married females, 20-45, for long-term ongoing fun. I'm not seeking multiple partners, just one female who is seeking the same. Talk to you soon. [email protected] Married and lonely? Married American, mid-40s, hoping to meet one attractive woman in a similar situation for a longterm, discreet but sincere relationship. I seek friendship and romance. I'm kind, smart, educated, fit, 182cm. Any nationality ok. [email protected] Mature and sophisticated Japanese, some have said charming, seeking an elegant, passionate, kind SWF. I dream about wild nights as well as sharing the simple pleasures of love. Is that you? [email protected] are lonely and need more). I am a kind, easygoing, fun, good person. ItalianFrench male, 45, educated (master's degree). [email protected] Run away, little girl! I'm a selfish, arrogant, rich, handsome, fit American man, 37. I do what I want, when I want. Seeking an attractive JF, 29-36, thin, classy, TOEIC 800+. No stalkers, please. [email protected] Seeking chubby, serious JF. European guy, 40, open-minded, easygoing, honest, faithful, seeks a JF who can meet up soon (not too many emails) for a long-term relationship. Let's meet up over coffee and talk. [email protected] Seeking girlfriend. Stuck here for a few years, longing to have a discreet girlfriend. European businessman, 50, tall, fit, humane, married. You: 35, tall, curvaceous, speak English, love to kiss. [email protected] Seeking JF for relationship. Seeking company/fun/relationship. I like travel, nature, movies, concerts, dining, festivals, hiking, onsen, beaches—I hope to enjoy these together. Me: single Asian-American, professional, from US west coast. Replies in Japanese ok. ilikesandiego@yahoo. co.jp Seeking mature JF. Cool guy, 40s, positive, romantic, honest, a gentleman, seeks a JF, 40s-50s, for a long-term relationship. [email protected] Seeking natural, open-minded female. Do you enjoy nature, hiking, onsen, music? Are you interested in a natural, healthy mountain lifestyle? I'm a Caucasian guy, independent, free-spirited, passionate about healthy lifestyle, seeking similar female interested in natural mountain living. [email protected] Seeking serious relationship. European guy, early 40s, positive, easygoing, gentle, romantic, lots of hobbies, seeking female, 35-55, open-minded, easygoing, enjoys simple things. Speak Nihongo. No busy people, please. bbamian@yahoo. com Seeking young woman. I am a SJM professional seeking friendship and maybe more with a young woman. I am a younglooking 40s. You are young, single, with a good sense of humor. july_leo2010@ yahoo.co.jp Seeking ぷに子 woman. I am seeking a curvy or ぷに子 girl. I am 32, fairly goodlooking, living in Tokyo. Your photo gets mine. [email protected] Single Japanese gentleman seeks white lady for a serious relationship. I'm 35, 180cm, fit, honest, kind, work as a systems engineer, and live in central Tokyo. [email protected] Single professional in Yokohama. British SWM, mid-50s, tall, slim, living alone, nonsmoking, not a teacher, welltraveled, introspective, unusual. Social life in disrepair. Seeking new people. Replies welcome from intelligent, good-looking women, younger than me. xpress727@ yahoo.com Single, handsome, caring and witty Japanese male seeks a nice Western or Japanese female for friendship and possibly more. Nonsmokers preferred. If you are interested in exciting and happy times with nice conversation, please email me! [email protected] SWM seeking discreet, respectful encounters. Seeking JF to let me in on the passionate side of Japan in private. Looking forward to pleasing you. [email protected] Newly single. Let's enjoy life! I'm a cute, attractive half-Japanese, half-Filipino guy seeking someone to enjoy life with. Please be cute. I love staying at home just having fun and flirting. Email w/photo appreciated. [email protected] SWM seeking wealthy female for marriage. Are you are a successful businesswoman seeking a SWM to start a family with? I speak basic Japanese. Please send details about you and a few photos. [email protected] Non-Japanese for non-Japanese. Professional UK male working in Tokyo seeks other interesting foreigners for drinks, chats, etc., after work. Interests include travel, music, the occasional film and book, photography, generally enjoying life. Casual meetup is fine. [email protected] True love. Hola, I'm seeking an honest woman for a serious relationship. I am honest, 日系. I like sports, traveling. 川口市に住んでいる. m18181965@ gmail.com October treat-a-woman-right week. I'm seeking someone fun, caring, intelligent. Relax, enjoy a nice time (and more if you WM seeking mature, gentle woman in Tokyo. WM, about 40, seeking woman in Tokyo for interesting conversation and friendship. Walk and talk, eat and have good dinner with good wine. tkaponen@ hotmail.com 14.3 WOMEN LOOKING FOR MEN Since 1949 今年は"にほんごをもの"にする EVERGREEN LANGUAGE SCHOOL D A I LY CO N V E R S AT I O N A N D B U S I N E S S J A PA N E S E JAPAN-ONLY LIMITED “REAL LOVE” CONDOMS FROM DUREX. The world’s number one condom brand presents a new safe and sexy product to Japan. Express your love with Durex. Available at Condomania, Amazon and Rakuten. Condomania, 6 -30-1 Jingu-Mae, Shibuya-ku, To k y o, J a p a n 1 5 0 - 0 0 0 1 Tel:03-3797- 6131 http://condomania.jp Casual but steady relationship. Married JF, 30s, seeks a good-looking, young Western Caucasian in Tokyo. [email protected] Casual relationship. I'm an attractive Japanese woman, 30s, seeking someone for good times in Tokyo. Good-looking single Caucasians only. hanabiinjh@ yahoo.co.jp JAPANESE PROFICIENCY TEST N1, N2, N3, N4 ST YUTENJI 03-3713-4958 JIYUGAOKA 03-3723-4785 Lonely SJF seeks respectful man. SJF, late 30s, wants to be satisfied physically, mentally. You need to be moderate and have a respectable personality. [email protected] Free trial lesson for groups [email protected] 03-3713-4958 WADA Legal & Administrative Office We can help you with: • Visa & Immigration Procedures • Mixed Marriage, Naturalisation and Refugee Status • Establishing a Company & Branch Office • Accounting Services, Acquiring Business Licences • Preparation/Translation of Legal & Business Documents • Other Legal & Business Matters For marriage. I'm a single Japanese female living in Yokohama seeking a serious relationship leading to marriage. I have a girlfriend, but if you are ok with that, please contact me. danku0429@ aol.jp Let's make each other happy! SJF, sweet, thoughtful, many say beautiful inside/out, seeks respectful, satisfying relationship with single-minded, attractive, tall, successful Caucasian. I love cooking, traveling, hiking, art, nature. Marriage-minded singles living in central Tokyo only. [email protected] Registr A ati Apr 20 on for 16 term NOW O PEN! www.evergreen.gr.jp For highly motivated people. JF, 20s, is seeking an attractive English speaker. I'm interested in music, movies, literature, politics, foreign/Japanese culture, and people. Thank you for reading. [email protected] Free during the day. JF, pretty, 30s, in Tokyo, seeks a good-looking Caucasian, single, 20-30s, living in Tokyo. [email protected] UDEN VIS T * One month intensive * 2 & 3 days a week * Private & Corporate * Business Japanese http://www.wada-lats.com/ E-mail: [email protected] 3-5-3-1402 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0023 For information: Tel: (03) 3345-7977 FAX: (03) 3345-5377 “IMAMURA KINEN” LAW OFFICE 今村記念法律事務所 WE PROVIDE LEGAL ADVICE BY THE LAWYER, ACCOMPANIED WITH A QUALIFIED INTERPRETER IN ENGLISH OR FRENCH. Love is indispensable. JF, 30s, pretty, educated, seeks a single businessman who is smart, handsome, in Tokyo. Caucasian only. Email w/your profile. [email protected] Visa and Immigration issues Naturalization, mixed marriage, etc. Car Accident, Inheritance, Labor Dispute Corporate Legal matters, Contracts, etc. Yusuke Totsuka, Lawyer Yuta Watanabe, Lawyer Luxury. Enjoying food and fun talk with special someone in a lovely kitchen is luxury. Me putting on a flirty, colorful apron and dish gloves may make you smile! Japanese, educated, 40s, seeks a mature professional appreciating food, beauty and intelligence. satsuma7candles@ outlook.com Hiroaki Sugiyama, Lawyer 14.5 ESCORTS ESCORTS have gone online. To f i n d a l o v e l y l a d y co m p a nio n , v i s it ht t p: // classifieds.metropolis.co.jp/ category/personals/escorts. http://japanlawoffice.blog.fc2.com/ Tel: 090-8487-1968 If not available 080-4864-1258 Our office is located in Jinbocho, very close from the station (A2 exit) 1F Senshu Daigaku 8-Go 1-Kan, Jinbocho 2-8-3 Kanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo J-STAR PATENT, TRADEMARK & IMMIGRATION OFFICE Reasonable prices. Free first time consultation We can support you with: (Secret) friends at first? Attractive, educated, sensual married female seeks married or single Caucasian executive, 43-63, for long-term relationship. If interested in conversation and spoiling me with fine dining and romance, I want to meet you. [email protected] Serious relationship. I’m a SJF, mid-30s, sporty, easy to talk to, seeking a serious relationship with the right person. How about you? [email protected] PLEASE DON’T HESITATE TO CONTACT US IN ENGLISH, FRENCH OR JAPANESE IF YOU NEED LEGAL ASSISTANCE. Visa and immigration Intellectual property rights (Patent, trademark, copyrights) Establishing a Company & Branch office Other Legal & Business matters Hiroshi Oogai, Patent attorney Immigration lawyer www.j-star.jp Grand Prince Hotel Akasaka Exit 4, Nagatacho stn Supreme Court Imperial Palace Aoyama Ave Akasaka Mitsuke stn Akasaka Excel Hotel Tokyu National Diet Library 608 Kitano Arms 16-15, Hirakawa-cho, 2-Chome, Chiyoda-ku ,Tokyo, 102-0093 Tel: 03-5216-6890 Fax: 03-5216-6891 Email: [email protected] 27 RELATIONS “SEXY” COSTUMES BY GRACE BUCHELE MINETA Halloween was my favorite holiday when I was young. It was the one night of the year when I could be whomever—or whatever—I wanted, and I spent all year thinking about what my selection would be. A rabbit, my favorite TV character, an inanimate object, a character from one of my books … the possibilities were endless. Sadly, the older I got, the less I felt like dressing up. The vast majority of female costumes I find on Halloween these days are unnecessarily “sexy”: sexy Ninja Turtles, sexy prison guards, sexy zombies, sexy dinosaurs … and sexy vegetables. ハロウィンコスチューム 子供の頃はハロウィンが1年で1番好きな祝日でした。その日は、好き な物に仮装できる素敵な夜だったので、来年は何に仮装しようかと1年 中考えていました。ウサギ?テレビ番組のキャラクター?妖精もいい かな?本の主人公もいいわね?考えてもキリがありませんでした。残 念な事に、大人になるにつれて、仮装に対してワクワクしなくなって きました。最近、お店で見かけるハロウィン用のコスチュームのほと んどは、セクシー忍者、セクシー看守、セクシーゾンビやセクシー恐 竜にセクシー野菜といったセクシーなコスチュームばかりなんです。 ■ Grace Buchele Mineta is an author who blogs and draws comics about her daily life in Japan at www.HowIBecameTexan.com. horoscope BY CATHRYN MOE ♥ Love ¥ Money ♣ Luck ARIES TAURUS GEMINI May 22-Jun 21 ♥♥♥♥ ¥¥ ♣♣♣ Jun 22-Jul 23 ♥♥ ¥¥¥ ♣♣♣♣ You’re in the public eye and may have less time for yourself. Someone recognizes the pressure you’re under and wants to hold you up. Not that you can’t do this on your own—you can—but you deserve to be taken care of, as your normal mode is to champion everyone else! Now you can let the focus be on you. Allow the Sun opposite Aries to guide you towards a relaxing space to recharge and renew. The Sun, Juno, Dark Moon Lilith, and Mercury focus your interest on work. They help get things back into balance. You will not only succeed in your pursuits, you’ll see the money that follows. Dealing with groups has its own set of challenges. Neptune—which rules film, music, the ocean, and oil—is retrograde. Don’t think of it as a setback. Think of it as a chance to restructure and have it the way you want it to be. The Moon connects with Saturn on Friday, bringing a depth of feelings. Whether with a partner or single, you’re recognizing your contribution to relationships. The overall sensation is one of being able to bring to the surface what you know is there. Then Saturday, Mars blends with Jupiter, and anything could happen; the sky’s the limit. Don't watch the clock—you won’t have time. It’s worth your time to look at every opportunity coming your way. You may hear exactly what you’ve been hoping for. Venus in your solar third house of communication brings an upgrade in your comfort levels. Then Mars and Jupiter connect on Saturday, and the excitement starts. You can have this any way you like, but lock it in only if you think you’ll want it later. LEO VIRGO LIBRA SCORPIO Sep 24-Oct 23 ♥♥♥ ¥¥¥¥ ♣♣ Oct 24-Nov 22 ♥♥ ¥¥ ♣♣♣ The more pressure you feel, the deeper go your roots. Another sign might have taken off to a new locale, or thrown in the towel; you’re just the opposite: adversity just makes you more determined. No one would blame you if you packed up, but you won’t. That’s not the point; it’s not about what others think. It’s about what you believe that keeps you in power. Look for Saturday to start the fireworks. Mar 21-Apr 20 ♥♥♥ ¥¥¥¥ ♣♣ Jul 24-Aug 23 ♥♥♥ ¥¥ ♣♣♣ Apr 21-May 21 ♥♥ ¥¥¥ ♣♣♣ Aug 24-Sep 23 ♥♥ ¥¥¥ ♣♣♣♣♣ CANCER Your demeanor is admired and taken seriously by those who know you. A Leo’s presence is always an asset to any group. Friday may seem a bit “heavy” as Saturn connects with the Moon. If so, don’t let this throw you. Mars and Jupiter merge energies in your solar second house of income on Saturday, bolstering Venus’ ability to create upgrades. You’re likely to see this as someone backs your cause or position. This could be a wonderful week with everything going for you. Venus is in your sign, and she has a way of making it feel OK to spend money on yourself. She also needs trips to beautiful places, art galleries, and shops you’ve been curious about for awhile. Mars and Jupiter are at the same degree in Virgo, and as a team, they like to take action, make it fast, and expand. Step back if it looks like the pace is crazy. This is an interesting week for you, although sort of tricky. The Sun is in your sign—happy birthday! It lights up any dark corners and shines iridescent colors onto cobwebs. Juno in Libra has your back, so you can stand up for a cause and receive support for being brave. It’s Mercury next to Dark Moon Lilith that’s the kicker. You'll be taking on an even more independent persona to reach your goals. SAGITTARIUS CAPRICORN AQUARIUS Jan 21-Feb 19 ♥♥ ¥¥¥ ♣♣♣♣ Feb 20-Mar 20 ♥♥♥ ¥¥ ♣♣♣ The Sun, Juno, Dark Moon Lilith, and Mercury are all in your solar 10th house of career. If ever there was a time to put others first, this is it. Others, in terms of utilizing your creativity to get your career into a higher orbit. If you think of yourself as a starry expression within a greater constellation, you won’t mind shining bright and doing all you can to light up the the total picture. No one can blend business with pleasure like you do. In fact, if business is involved, it’s a sure thing that it’s sexy. The wheel of fortune is spinning in your favor; you don’t have to hold on to each sprocket to determine where it lands. Pluto’s transiting your sign, and your trust has been shattered, but have patience. Pluto’s promise is about to bring you more than you would’ve believed. You have an inheritance of sor ts. The Sun, Juno, Dark Moon Lilith, and Mercury are in your solar ninth house. They’re trine to your sign, a beneficial aspect, and one that aids your goals. This is more of a spiritual legacy than a material one. If you’re working for the greater good, you’re likely to experience smooth sailing, beauty, and abundance. If you aren’t, it could go the other way. Neptune and Chiron are retrograde in your sign. The Moon is square to Pisces on Friday, and conjunct Saturn. Whatever you’re experiencing, take cover in the most bodacious, ornate place you can find. Order yourself something you’re not sure you even deserve. Mars, Jupiter, and Venus opposite Pisces bring a balance back, to let you walk safely through your most feisty arenas. Nov 23-Dec 22 ♥♥♥ ¥¥¥ ♣♣ 28 Dec 23-Jan 20 ♥♥♥♥ ¥¥ ♣♣♣ PISCES LINGO BOX Oekaki (お絵かき) Doodle, drawing It was reported that 9-year-old Prince Hisahito, who’s third in line to the Imperial throne, enjoys “catch[ing] bugs and frogs with friends after school.” Shusei suru (修正する) To revise the small print Me ga fu-jiyū (目が不自由) Visually impaired Hozon suru (保存する) To preserve BY STEVE TRAUTLEIN Zengo (前後) Before and after stats “I FIGURED I COULD LIVE WITHOUT A VOICE.” —Singer/music producer Tsunku, who underwent surgery to remove his vocal chords while battling throat cancer YOU DON’T SAY ⊲A ⊲ survey by the trade ministry found that 84 percent of Japanese gym memberships are paid for by people over 50 years of age. ⊲Customers ⊲ at a pop-up café run by a stationery company in Ginza are encouraged to doodle “on the walls, floor, tables, and even replicas of world-famous paintings.” ⊲Headline ⊲ of the Week: “Ex-engineer in Fukuoka Develops Device to Scare Off Wild Boars by Replicating Moan” (via Mainichi Japan) FIGHTING WORDS ⊲Former ⊲ Supreme Court Justice Shigeru Yamaguchi, 82, described the government’s arguments for revising Japan’s defense guidelines as “inconsistent” and “nonsense.” ⊲After ⊲ setting records for his age group in the 100-meter (42.22 seconds) run and shot put (3.25 meters) at an athletic meet in Kyoto, 105-year-old Hidekichi Miyazaki “issue[d] a challenge to Usain Bolt.” ⊲A ⊲ researcher at Jissen Women’s University in 10.02 MILLION Number of people in Japan aged 80 or older, according to the internal affairs ministry—the first time the number has topped 10 million Tokyo found a letter from famed novelist Osamu Dazai (1909-1948) begging his mentor, novelist Haruto Sato, to award him the Akutagawa Prize. ⊲A ⊲ new magazine called Dark Tourism Japan is dedicated to “sites associated with negative legacies like war and natural disasters.” ¥159 BILLION Value of Japanese seafood exports in the first half of 2015, a 30-percent spike from the same period last year 30 MILLION Tweets generated between May and September that referred to the government’s proposed new security guidelines FOREIGN INTRIGUE ⊲Authorities ⊲ in the Philippines arrested 60 Japanese nationals who were working illegally at a call center in Cebu City. ⊲Japanese ⊲ authorities are so angry with Brazil over its protectionist tax policies, they asked the World Trade Organization to settle the dispute. ⊲Citizens’ ⊲ groups from Japan and South Korea have repatriated the remains of 115 Koreans who died in Hokkaido during World War II. ⊲A ⊲ Meguro-based map company released a book with before-and-after images of Japanese cities destroyed by U.S. air raids during the war. The publication was made possible by a staffer who visited the U.S. National Archives in Washington and digitized 5,000 photographs there. GOOD LUCK WITH THAT ⊲The ⊲ land ministry announced plans to promote sightseeing tours of “public facilities with striking features, such as huge bridges and dams.” ⊲NTT ⊲ teamed up with a Tokyo publisher to develop an app that offers real-time translations of noh performances in multiple languages. ⊲To ⊲ support local preservation efforts, officials at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum will quadruple the facility’s admission fee to ¥200. ⊲Residents ⊲ of Toshima, an island in the Izu chain, are concerned about an infestation of moths that eat the leaves of camellia trees. Toshima is Japan’s largest supplier of camellia oil. at a glance WRAPPING UP BY ADAM GARWOOD Check out Adam’s works at http://meturl.com/adam3 ⊲After ⊲ four and a half years, police in Miyagi identified the remains of a 63-year-old man who was killed in the March 11 disaster. ⊲An ⊲ association of movie companies is planning to help visually impaired customers by providing them with head-mounted displays offering “information about scenes and dialogue.” ⊲The ⊲ mayor of Kitakyushu is hoping to boost tourism by allowing TV crews from Thailand to film a “a romantic sci-fi action drama series” in the city. ⊲Bottom ⊲ Story of the Week: “Experience Crucial for Safe Use of Balcony Evacuation Ladders” (via The Japan News) Small Print Updated Weekly → METURL.COM/SMALLPRINT Compiled from reports by AP, Japan Today, The Japan Times, Jiji, The Tokyo Reporter, The Mainichi, The Japan News, AFP, Reuters and Kyodo 29 the last word your article to: WANT TO HAVE THE LAST WORD? Send [email protected] Illustration by Christi Rochin Tokyo: A Love Story How the city captured my heart in one short year BY SARA ANNA IANNONE T oday, I remembered a moment in my life—a moment when I had no idea I would come and live in Tokyo for a year. I was living somewhere else and didn’t know anything about my future. To me, Tokyo was a dream. And like all dreams, it was beautiful, tempting, and out of reach. Now that my year as an exchange student has come to an end, I can’t believe I’ll be going back home tomorrow. I try to analyze what’s inside my head and my heart—my kokoro, as Japanese people would say—and I don’t understand anything. Literally. I hope that many people can relate to that ambiguous feeling of eagerness to go back home, to hug friends and family, but also the slithering impression that your life is here now and you can’t just uproot what took a year to grow and ripen. Just when I feel a little more comfortable with my (bad) Japanese, when I have an awesome group of friends with whom to hang out and have fun, when I’m starting to figure out what I want to do with my life … it’s time to say goodbye. Tokyo has been so good to me. I already knew before coming here that she’s a special, wonderful city, but now I’m completely, deeply, madly in love with her. So I decided to write a love letter to this city, to tell her all the things I didn’t say during the past year, or that maybe I should have said more often. Tokyo, you aren’t as cold as many want you to be. You’re kind and generous, but you don’t like to show it and pretend to be inhospitable because you know many will leave you, and you don’t want to suffer every single time. I’ll miss so many things about you: the kiwiflavored ice cream at 7-Eleven when it was so hot TOKYO IS UNLIKE ANY OTHER CITY IN THE WORLD. YOU DON’T ‘VISIT’ TOKYO; YOU LIVE HER.” in May; the massage chairs at Bicqlo in Shinjuku; platform number 15 on the Yamanote Line, where I always stood in Shinjuku when returning home from my baito; mixing up the Yurakuchō Line and the Fukutoshin Line for some strange reason; buying Strong Zero, drinking it, and repeating “I will never drink this stuff anymore” every damn time—and then ending up drinking it anyway; the awful music in Saizeriya; crossing Shibuya while drunk; dancing salsa with elderly Japanese guys who I never expected to be such good dancers; the joyful picnics in Yoyogi Park; the Astro Boy jingle at Takadanobaba Station … I could go on for hours. I’ll never get tired of listing the memories because you’ve given me so many precious moments that will be with me forever. Tokyo is unlike any other city in the world. You don’t “visit” Tokyo; you live her. You have to lose yourself in the tiny streets of Shinjuku, and also in the bigger ones. You have to go and see her skyline around sunset, to see her slowly becoming more beautiful for her favorite part of the day: the night, when Tokyo puts on her best clothes for you to gaze at. My last words to this city would be simple: I love you; thank you. She would never reply to me, and she wouldn’t even look at me, maybe. But I know she loves me back, and I will forever remember her kindness and her charm. So thank you. And I love you. ■ Sara Anna Iannone is an Italian exchange student, whose actual last words leaving Tokyo were “I'll be back.” The views expressed in “The Last Word” are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the position or opinions of Japan Partnership Co. Ltd. or its partners and sponsors. 30