The New Wave of - IBUKI Magazine

Transcription

The New Wave of
J-POP
SAKURA-con Seattle’s J-Pop Lovefest
FINAL FANTASY XIII, Dragon Ball
Shonen Jump and more
Visit Japan
This Summer’s Destination
Sake
J Recipe
Dine Out
Cover image:
©2009 SQUARE ENIX CO., LTD. All Rights Reserved.
CHARACTER DESIGN: TETSUYA NOMURA.
March & April 2010 Vol. 04 Seattle / Bellevue / Portland
FREE
CONTENTS
FEATURE
4
The New Wave of J-Pop
Japanese pop culture, from manga to fashion to
anmated films, has a firm grip on the imagination
of American youth.
EAT & DRINK
12 15
18 Restaurant Directory
IBUKI Map
Recipes
Cutlet curry
20 The Saké Story
Spinach Salad with Seasoned Mashed Tofu: Shiraae
Regions play a vital role in saké brewing.
4
LIFESTYLE
16
21
Store & School Directory
24 25
i fart rainbow
Trend
26 28 Japanese Confectionery
Visit Japan
Choose from an array of attractive packages for summer travel.
The demands of modern marriage keep singles busy day and night.
Movies: 20th Century Boys
Music: Dazzle Vision & High and Mighty Color
Gadget: Oxyfit
Car: MAZDA2
Local News and Events
21
IBUKI Magazine Vol.04 Maarch & April 2010
Publisher
Misa Murohashi
Chief Operating Officer
English Cartier
Editor-in-Chief
Bruce Rutledge
Editor and Translator
Yuko Enomoto
Assistant Designer
Maria Brown
Contributing Writers & Artists
Enfu (Ken Taya)
Johnnie Stroud (Saké Nomi)
Julian Waters
Masami Suzuki
Special Thanks
Chin Music Press
Published by
Axia Media Group, Inc.
Bellevue, WA 98005
Comments and general inquiries
[email protected]
Advertising Info
[email protected]
www.ibukimagazine.com 3
息吹 IBUKI_FEATURE ARTICLE:
By Bruce Rutledge
W
hat started a quarter century ago
as a quirky Japanese subculture
that featured otaku collectors, a
couple of classic animated films and some
well-drawn comic books has swelled into
a global pop phenomenon that no longer
belongs to Japan alone. Americans have
embraced Japanese film and manga and
created their own unique subcultures to
indulge in them. American businesses
have stoked the trend by releasing manga
in translation ands subtitled films. Asian
economies are getting in on the trend too,
with more anime created in South Korea
and Taiwan.
While J-pop spreads across borders and
seeps into other cultures, it retains a certain
exotic otherness that appeals to North
Americans looking for something besides
the typical Hollywood fare. Parents push
Hayao Miyazaki DVDs on their kids like a lit
professor pushes Shakespeare. Teenagers
look to Tokyo as a fashion mecca. Haruki
Murakami sells books to Americans at
an unprecedented pace for a Japanese
novelist. At a certain level, Japan fascinates
Americans.
“Due to the conditions of their development in
postwar Japan, anime and manga offer a unique
entertainment experience,” says Patrick W.
Galbraith, 27, author of The Otaku Encyclopedia.
“Part of the appeal for fans outside of Japan is to
explore and enjoy these different entertainment
worlds.”
While 20th Century Japanese powerhouses
4 息吹 ibuki • March / april 2010
such as Toyota Motor Co. and Japan Airlines Co.
falter, 21st Century companies such as Studio
Ghibli, producer of Miyazaki’s films, Nintendo
Co. and video-game maker Square Enix Co. are
reaching their peak. When these companies
release new movies or games, there is a frenzy
in the marketplace, chatter on the Internet and
long lines in front of stores and theaters.
On the first weekend of April, as many
as 18,000 people — most of them in
costume — will descend on downtown
Seattle to celebrate their love for Japanese
pop culture at Sakura-Con, a festival that
has been growing at a rapid rate since its
inception in the late 1990s. Sakura-Con is
one of many J-pop festivals held in cities
across the US.
“Fans of anime and manga outside of
Japan tend to get very involved and
serious about their hobbies, which inspire
and excite them,” Galbraith says. “That
anime and manga originated in a different
cultural context reinforces intense feelings
of subcultural belonging. The convention
is where fans can get together among
like-minded individuals and indulge in
subcultural identity and interactions. They
tend to be very creative and expressive
because this is where they can openly show
their interests and expect affirmation from
others. There is a real sense of community,
which supports a participatory culture.”
These communities of J-pop fans in North
America are something the Japanese producers
of anime and manga never envisioned. It has
taken a layer of cultural interpreters in the
American business community — Viz Media
LLC and FUNimation Productions Ltd. are
two of the most influential — to figure out
how to turn the American J-pop obsession into
a moneymaking venture. Viz Media launched
the English version of Shonen Jump (see page
9) and its affiliate company, Viz Pictures, was
behind the opening of a J-Pop center called
New People in the heart of San Francisco’s
Japantown last year. FUNimation is responsible
for bringing anime hits such as the Dragon Ball
series (page 8) and Full Metal Alchemist to
US shores. These companies have become the
bridges between American fans and Japanese
studios and publishers.
Seattle is deeply connected to this J-pop
phenomenon because of its role as a hub of
video-game development and its growing
legions of J-pop fans, as seen by the everincreasing turnstile totals at Sakura-Con.
As the J-pop phenomenon continues to
grow and mix with other cultures, expect
Seattle to be very involved.
<< Lightning is the heroine of the
newest installment of the Final Fantasy
series, Final Fantasy XIII, which was
released on March 9 for PlayStation 3
and Xbox 360.
Sakura-Con Seattle’s J-Pop Lovefest
very year on one spring weekend, aliens take over
downtown Seattle. Or so it seems to the unwitting
shoppers and passers-by who wonder why crowds of
cosplay kids dressed as samurai, ninja, video game characters
and superheroes seem to be on every street corner and in every
restaurant. They’re here to celebrate Japanese pop culture, and
they come from as far as Alaska, Idaho and Montana to attend
Sakura-Con, the biggest celebration of anime and manga in the
Pacific Northwest and one of the biggest anime conventions in
the US if not the world.
The level of devotion these convention-goers show will stun the uninitiated. College kids spend hundreds of hours on elaborate costumes;
high-schoolers make professional-quality video mashups of their favorite anime characters and songs (copyright law be damned!), and young
adults who have never set foot in Japan will talk your ear off about Japanese doujinshi (independently published magazines, kind of like zines)
or an esoteric subsection of romantic manga. It’s like Revenge of the
Nerds remade by Lady Gaga but with subtitles.
The phenomenon of anime and manga conventions took off in
the last decade. The country is dotted with these get-togethers,
from Baltimore to Portland, Anchorage to Miami, and most of
them started as little gatherings of friends who shared a love of
Japanese animated films. Sakura-Con started as BakaCon (Idiots’
Convention), a humble group of avid anime fans who decided
to have an annual gathering back in 1998. This year, the 12th
Sakura-Con expects to draw about 18,000 to the April 2-4 celebration at the Washington Convention Center.
So what’s the attraction? Are Japan’s animated films and manga
comic books that much better than anything we have to offer in
the US?
“You see all these kids,” says Meg Uhde of Portland, OR, during a busy
moment at a previous Sakura-Con. She motions towards swarms of people dressed as robots, French maids, women in miniskirts and mouse
ears, masked warriors, even a blonde ninja. “This is where they come
to be themselves and no one will judge them. And more and more and
E
more of these kids are finding that is true. These are your gamers;
these are your lovers of anime; these are people who would be ostracized in any other situation, and they get to come here dressed
in fantastic costumes that they made on their own, be surrounded
by people who are not going to say, ‘You’re a freak,’ they’re going to
say, ‘That is amazing! How long did that take you?’ It’s becoming
more popular because people are finding community in it.”
The community building around these conventions does
not seem to be tapering off. On the contrary, it continues
to grow.
“The event continues to grow but not at the explosive rate
of 75% we experienced in the past,” says Mira Utz, director
of publicity for Asia Northwest Cultural Education Association/Sakura-Con. “From 2007 to 2009 the rate slowed to
about 30% per year, which is still pretty remarkable considering that the economy has taken a turn and the anime
industry as a whole has had some trouble.
“We’ve noticed more families with young children, presumably from the twentysomethings that make up over half of
the membership marrying and having families,” Utz says.
But still, Sakura-Con is no Aerosmith concert. Most of the
attendees are in their teens or 20s, and the convention has
an energy and buzz about it that can only be supplied by a
mass of youthful fans.
Sakura-Con and other conventions like it have also morphed
over the past decade from groups of movie fans to something akin to a Trekkie convention to their current iteration,
which goes well beyond anything the Trekkies could have
imagined. Fashion trends like Lolita Gothic flourish here.
Gamers compete. Toy aficionados pore over rare collectibles. Karaoke specialists belt their hearts out. Filmmakers
show their latest music videos. In the US in 2010, there is no
group gathering that matches an anime/manga convention in sheer creative energy.
Confession time. I lived in Japan for 15 years. I consider
myself pretty knowledgeable about Japanese culture and
business. I’ve spent my career writing about it and researching it. But nothing prepared me for my first anime
convention in the US, Sakura-Con 2007. Where did these
people come from, I thought. How come they know so
much about these Japanese movies? Why are they so dedicated to this art form? I was ready to write it off as the 21st
Century version of a bunch of Trekkies at a Ramada Inn lining up for George Takei’s autograph. But this was different.
This had the “I don’t care what you think of me” of the punk
movement, the arts-and-crafts creativity of the zine movement and the inspired costumes of Halloween and Mardi
Gras all rolled into one event.
“Every major anime convention experienced growth last
year despite economic indications that they would stall,”
Utz writes in an email. “I think the reason is that anime conventions like Sakura-Con encompass more than just fans
interested in one franchise or hobby. Sakura-Con features
anime, manga and gaming but within those categories is
programming focusing on Asian culture, costuming, painting, drama, voice, drawing, writing, martial arts, J-music,
film, software development, travel, literature and more.
Sakura-Con is for more than ‘just’ a hardcore anime fan, but
of course there are also plenty of those.”
Their presence will be felt on April 2-4 in Seattle. If you’ve
never seen a community of creative, positive and, yes, let’s
say it — unabashedly nerdy — Americans celebrating another country’s pop culture, then join the fun. Anime fans
don’t bite. They’ll probably even give you a high-five on the
long escalator ride up to the ticket booth.
J-Pop Sampler
Dragon Ball Z
Manga artist Akira Toriyama wrote and illustrated the Dragon Ball series between 1984
and 1995 in the pages of Shonen Jump (see
the opposite page). Toei Animation turned
the story into three anime series, the second
of which was Dragon Ball Z. FUNimation Productions aired the dubbed version of Dragon Ball Z in the US. It took awhile to catch on,
but today, the adventures of Goku and his
Z warriors have become a huge hit around
the world. The whole Dragon Ball series has
blossomed into 17 movies and 500 TV episodes. The show gets its best ratings in the
US, Japan, France, Spain, Hong Kong and Mexico.
The story started as a comedy, according to FUNimation, but later turned
into a battle of good and evil. The Dragon Ball series has been a success
on TV and the big screen as well as in the toy store.
©BIRD STUDIO/SHUEISHA, TOEI ANIMATION. Film©1989 TOEI ANIMATION CO., LTD.
Licensed by FUNimation® Productions, Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
Dragon Ball Z, Dragon Ball GT and all logos, character names and distinctive likenesses thereof
are trademarks of SHUEISHA, INC.
FINAL FANTASY
The latest installment in this popular series (85 million
units shipped and counting!) hit the stands in the US on
March 9. It was released earlier in Japan, and the word
from gamers there is that the 13th version of this popular
game delivers groundbreaking graphics.
The Final Fantasy series has been around since 1987. That’s
when avid Seattle gamer Nate Eslava started playing.
Twenty-three years later, he has every version of the Final
Fantasy series — even the ones that weren’t released in
the US — and a collection of elixir bottles from Final Fantasy XII that he bought in Japan. Eslava says that nostalgia
plays a big role in his attachment to the game, but the cutting-edge graphics and the complex storylines keep him
excited about each new version. No game compares in his estimation.
“I convinced my wife to let me buy one company stock,” Eslava says. His choice? Square
Enix. “I wanted to own a piece of this game.”
The devotion of fans like Eslava is even more impressive when one considers that each
version of Final Fantasy is a self-contained world independent of the versions that came
before.
SHONEN JUMP
SHONEN JUMP Magazine, Jan 2010 and March 2010
ONE PIECE © 1997 by Eiichiro Oda/SHUEISHA Inc.
BLEACH © 2001 by Tite Kubo/SHUEISHA Inc.
<< One Piece, a manga
for boys, has been all
the rage among American manga fans recently. The series started
in the Weekly Shonen
Jump in 1997.
ONE PIECE Vol. 39
ONE PIECE © 1997 by Eiichiro Oda/SHUEISHA Inc.
The Weekly Shonen Jump in Japan is considered the king of manga for young Japanese
males. With circulation of more than 3 million, it has launched Naruto, Dragon Ball and
other classics of the genre over the decades.
Since 2002, a monthly English version has
been available from Viz Media of San Francisco. English-speaking manga fans can find
translations of Naruto, One Piece, Yu-gi-Oh
and much more, including Japanese lessons
and illustrations sent in by American fans.
Each monthly magazine features more than
300 pages, drawing a readership of more
than 2.7 million. The average reader is a boy
between the ages of 8 and 17.
<< The hero in the
popular Naruto manga
is Naruto Uzumaki, a
young ninja striving to
be the best ninja in his
village.
NARUTO Vol. 48:
NARUTO © 1999 by Masashi Kishimoto/SHUEISHA Inc.
TOKYO POP
This American publishing company is one
of the driving forces behind the popularity of manga in the US. Key decisions early
on helped the company both cut costs and
provide a more authentic version of the
comics. For one, Tokyopop manga read
left to right, like Japanese manga. Also, the
company decided to retouch the drawings
less, keeping in the onomatopoeic sound
effects that are ever-present in the Japanese versions. The company started with
Sailor Moon, but today its list of titles and
products reflects the rapid rise in popularity of all things J-pop. Some of its hottestselling titles today include the Goth series
Vampire Kisses, the Warcraft manga and
Gakuen Alice. But Fruits Basket tops them
all; it’s the best-selling shojo (girls’) manga
of all time. Check out www.tokyopop.com
for more.
Vampire Kisses Text copyright © Ellen Schreiber; Art ©
TOKYOPOP Inc. and HarperCollins Publishers
Warcraft: Death Knight © 2009 Blizzard Entertainment, Inc.
All Rights Reserved.
Gakuen Alice © Tachibana Higuchi
Fruits Basket © Natsuki Takaya
D.N. Angel © Yukiru SUGISAKI
Fukuoka’s Game for Business
F
ukuoka may be a few hours by
bullet train from Osaka and Tokyo, but the southern Japanese
city has decided that one of its strongest
business allies may be more than 5,000
miles to the east. Fukuoka City officials
are looking across the Pacific to Seattle
to find the knowledge and business ties
necessary to build a global hub for the
rapidly expanding and internationalizing video-game industry.
“Fukuoka is thinking about connecting
with Seattle via the video-game business,” Kohei Yamada of Fukuoka’s international economic development team
writes in an email. “Fukuoka’s game industry is much smaller than Seattle’s,
and it has a much smaller cluster than
Seattle, but by building ties with Seattle
we can create new game businesses,
send companies there and have Seattle
companies come here.”
Global competition in the gaming industry
— one of the few hot industries in an otherwise tepid global economy — has grown
fierce. While Fukuoka is still a small player in
Photos ©JNTO
the industry, it’s neatly tucked next to South
Korea, an up-and-coming player in the sector, and a quick flight from Taiwan, another
emerging force. Fukuoka City has been slowly wooing more game companies, too, growing from a modest cluster of three companies
in 2003 to 13 today anchored by the very successful LEVEL-5 Inc., creator of the Professor Layton series, which has sold 9.18 million
copies worldwide. LEVEL-5 has also been
handpicked by Square Enix to make the newest version of the 50-million-seller Dragon
Quest franchise, Dragon Quest IX: Sentinels of
the Starry Skies.
Of course, compared to the greater Seattle
area, which is home to 150 -200 game-related
companies including Bungie, PopCap, Nintendo of America and Microsoft, Fukuoka is
still a minor player. But by connecting with
Seattle and creating strong ties between the
cities, Yamada says, Fukuoka can establish itself as an international hub in a country that
has not always been quick to embrace global
ties.
“By promoting ties (with Seattle), we
can promote Fukuoka as a gateway connecting Japan to the rest of the world
at a time when Japanese game companies have been slow to internationalize,”
he writes. “We would like to have game
companies from Asia and the West that
are interested in Japan gather in Fukuoka.”
The first steps for Fukuoka are dispatching a consultant and researcher to Seattle and Vancouver to review the game
industry and get a better feel for the terrain. Based on the researcher’s feedback,
the city plans to send a business delegation this year to strengthen ties with Seattle. Fukuoka will then become a more
noticeable presence at video-game exhibits and business conferences in the
Pacific Northwest.
Fukuoka’s game sector is centered around
what it calls the GFF, short for Game Factory Fukuoka, which began in 2004. The star
of the group is LEVEL-5, but other innovative companies creating game software and
digital content have also chosen to settle here,
including D.A.G Inc., which created the computer graphics for the movie Devil May Cry
4; CyberConnect2, the creator of many PlayStation platform games for NARUTO;and
GANBARION, the creator of many One
Fukuoka is the biggest city on Kyushu,
the southernmost of Japan’s four main
islands. The city has a population of 1.5
million. The population swells with tourists each summer during the 750-year-old
Yamakasa Festival. Bottom left: A favorite
Fukuoka treat is the pork-based tonkotsu
ramen served from street vendors.
Piece titles.
Fukuoka’s easy access to other Northeast
Asian destinations, its high quality of life
and its temperate climate are all draws
for businesses looking for a Japanese
home, as is the fact that a video-game
company can run its business in Fukuoka for a fraction of the cost of doing business in Tokyo. To top it off, the city plans
to offer financial and legal support to
foreign companies setting up businesses in Fukuoka. The city is eager to make a
splash in the industry, so businesses that
choose Fukuoka early may find some
great deals.
The midsize Japanese city has set up
the Fukuoka Game Industry Promotion
Agency to achieve its dream of growing
into a strong international video-game
hub. Its relationship with Seattle plays
a key part in that dream, so expect to
see more from Fukuoka in the months
ahead.
Fukuoka Game
Industry Promotion
Agency
Through government-industry-academia
collaboration, GFF, Kyushu University and
Fukuoka City have established an organization promoting the game industry to help
the city become a hub for the industry.
Fukuoka GFF companies
FUKUOKA
OSAKA
TOKYO
Professor Layton and the Ocarina of Malevolent
Deity (Nintendo DS®)
ONE PIECE Unlimited Cruise2 AWAKENING OF
A HERO (Nintendo Wii®)
NARUTO™ Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Heroes 3
(PlayStation®Portable)
©2009 LEVEL-5 Inc.
ONE PIECE © EIICHIRO ODA/SHUEISHA, TOEI ANIMATION
Program 2008 2009 NAMCO BANDAI Games Inc.
All Rights Reserved.
NARUTO™ Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Heroes 3 software
© 2004-2010 NAMCO BANDAI Games Inc. All Rights Reserved.
NARUTO artwork and elements
© 2002 MASASHI KISHIMOTO / 2007 SHIPPUDEN All Rights Reserved.
SHONEN JUMP and NARUTO are trademarks of Shueisha, Inc.
in the U.S. and/or other countries. This product is manufactured,
distributed and sold in North, South and Central American
territories under license from VIZ Media, LLC.
Restaurant Directory
SEATTLE
Greater Seattle
Mashiko Japanese Restaurant
(206) 935-4339
4725 California Ave SW,
Seattle
Check out sushiwhore.com
You’ll like it.
Shiro’s Sushi Restaurant
(206) 443-9844
2401 2nd Ave, Seattle
www.shiros.com
Boom Noodle, Capitol Hill
(206) 701-9130
1121 E Pike St, Seattle
www.boomnoodle.com
Maekawa Bar
(206) 622-0634
601 S King St #206,Seattle
Fort St. George
(206) 382-0662
601 S King St # 202, Seattle
Aoki Japanese Grill & Sushi Bar
(206) 324-3633
621 Broadway E, Seattle
Blue C Sushi - University Village
(206) 525-4601
4601 26th Ave NE, Seattle
Blue C Sushi - Fremont
(206) 633-3411
3411 Fremont Ave N, Seattle
Blue C Sushi - 7th avenue
(206) 467-4022
1510 7th Ave, Seattle
Bush Garden Restaurant
(206)682-6830
614 Maynard Avenue S., Seattle
Cutting Board
(206) 767-8075
5503 Airport Way S, Seattle
Fuji Sushi
(206) 624-1201
520 S Main St, Seattle
Genki Sushi
(206) 453-3881
500 Mercer St. Unit C-2, 2B, Seattle
Hana Restaurent
(206) 328-1187
219 Broadway E, Seattle
Hiroshi’s Restaurant
(206) 726-4966
2501 Eastlake Ave E, Seattle
Ichiban Restaurant
206-623-8868
I Love Sushi - Lake Union
206-625-9604
1001 Fairview Ave N, Seattle
Imo Asian Bistro
(206) 264-9570
704 1st Ave, Seattle
Issian
(206) 632-7010
1618 N 45th St, Seattle
J Sushi
(206) 287-9000
674 S Weller St, Seattle
Kaname Izakaya Shochu Bar
(206) 682-1828
610 S Jackson St, Seattle
Kisaku
(206) 545-9050
2101 N. 55th St. #100, Seattle
Kozue Japanese Restaurant
(206) 547-2008
Kushibar
(206) 448-2488
Maneki
(206) 622-2631
304 6th Ave S, Seattle
Marinepolis Sushi Land -Queen Anne Hill
(206) 267-7621
803 5th Ave N, Seattle
Nishino
(206) 322-5800
3130 E Madison St # 106, Seattle
Nijo
(206) 340-8880
89 Spring St, Seattle
Ototo Sushi
(206) 691-3838
7 Boston St, Seattle
Red Fin Sushi Restaurant
(206) 441-4340
612 Stewart St, Seattle
Samurai Noodle
(206) 624-9321
606 5th Ave St, Seattle
Shiki Japanese Restaurant
(206) 281-1352
4W Roy St, Seattle
Shun Japanese Cuisine
(206) 522-2200
5101 NE 25th Ave #11, Seattle
Tsukushinbo
(206) 467-4004
Toyoda Sushi
(206) 367-7972
12543 Lake City Way, Seattle
Vi Bacchus Sake Bar & Bistro
(206) 328-5275
1401 Broadway, Seattle
Wabi-Sabi Sushi Bar & Restaurant
(206) 721-0212
4909 Rainier Ave S, Seattle
Wasabi Bistro
(206) 441-6044
Wann Japanese Izakaya
(206) 441-5637
Taka Sushi
(425) 778-1689
18904 Hwy 99 Suite A, Lynnwood
Warabi Japanese Restaurant & Bar
(206) 361-2620
13754 Aurora Ave N, Seattle
Sushi Joa
North End
Cafe Soleil
South End
(425) 453-6094
504 Bellevue Square, Bellevue
www.boomnoodle.com
(425) 493-1847
9999 Harbour Place #
105, Mukilteo
All natural Euro Japanese
cooking cafe-soleil.net
Bluefin Sushi & Seafood Buffet
(206) 367-0115
401 NE Northgate Way # 463, Seattle
Blue C Sushi - the Village at Alderwood Mall
(425) 329-3596
3000 184th St SW, Lynnwood
Cherry Blossom Sushi Bar & Grill
(425) 315-8022
10809 Mukilteo Speedway, Mukilteo
Edina Sushi
(425) 776-8068
19720 44th Ave W, Lynnwood
Marinepolis Sushi Land -Lynnwood
(425) 275-9022
18500 33rd Ave NW, Lynnwood
Matsu Sushi
(425) 771-3368
19505 44th Ave W #K, Lynnwood
Sakuma Japanese Restaurant
(425) 347-3063
10924 Mukilteo Speedway # G, Mukilteo
Setsuna Japanese Restaurant and Bar
(206) 417-3175
11204 Roosevelt Way NE, Seattle
Miyabi Restaurant
(206) 575-6815
16820 Southcenter Parkway, Tukwila
Blue C Sushi - Westfield Southcenter
(206) 277-8744
468 Southcenter Mall, Tukwila
Blossom Asian Bistro
(425) 430-1610
305 Burnett Avenue South, Renton
Genki Sushi -Renton
(425) 277-1050
365 S. Grady Way Ste. B & C, Renton
Marinepolis Sushi Land -Southcenter Mall
(206) 816-3280
100 Andover Park West 160, Tukwila
New Zen Japanese Restaurant
(425) 254-1599
10720 SE Carr Rd, Renton
Bistro Satsuma
(253) 858-5151
5315 Point Fosdick Dr NW #A, Gig Harbor
Eastside
Blue C Sushi, Bellevue Square
(425) 454-8288
503 Bellevue Square, Bellevue
Blue Ginger Korean Grill & Sushi
(425) 746-1222
14045 NE 20th St, Bellevue
(206) 230-4120
2717 78th Ave SE, Mercer Island
www. sushijoa.com
Boom Noodle, Bellevue Square
Flo Japanese Sushi Restaurant
(425) 453-4005
1188 106th Ave NE, Bellevue
Ginza Japanese Restaurant
(425) 709-7072
103 102nd Ave SE, Bellevue
I Love Sushi -One Lake Bellevue
(425) 455-9090
23 Lake Bellevue Dr, Bellevue
I Love Sushi -Bellevue Main
(425) 454-5706
Izakaya Sushi - at The Landing
(425) 228-2800
829 N 10th St. Suite G, Renton
Izumi Japanese Restaurant with Sushi-Bar
(425) 821-1959
12539 116th Ave N.E., Kirkland
Kobe Wellbeing Tonkatsu & Tao Sushi Bar
(425) 451-3888
850 110th Ave NE, Bellevue
Kikuya Restaurant
(425) 881-8771
8105 161st Ave NE, Redmond
Kiku Sushi
(425) 644-2358
Rikki Rikki Authentic Japanese Restaurant
(425) 828-0707
442 Parkplace Center, Kirkland
Restaurant Directory
Marinepolis Sushi Land -Bellevue
(425) 455-2793
138 107th Ave. NE, Bellevue
Marinepolis Sushi Land -Redmond
(425) 284-2587
8910 161st Ave NE, Redmond
Sushi Maru
(425) 453-0100
205 105th Ave, Bellevue
Sushi Me
(425) 644-9800
1299 156th Ave NE #145, Bellevue
Momoya Restaurant
(425) 889-9020
12100 NE 85th St, Kirkland
Tokyo Japanese Restaurent
(425) 641-5691
3500 Factoria Blvd SE, Bellevue
Zen Asian Bistro, Japanese & Thai
(425) 453-2999
989 112th Ave NE #105, Bellevue
2AM
(425) 643-1888
14603 NE 20th St #4, Bellevue
PORTLAND
Portland
Bamboo Sushi
(503) 232-5255
310 SE 28th Ave, Portland
Biwa Restaurant
(503) 239-8830
215 SE 9th Avenue, Portland
Blue Fin Sushi
(503) 274-7922
1988 SW Broadway, Portland
Bush Garden
(503) 226-7181
900 SW Morrison St, Portland
Crescendo noodle house & bar
(503) 226-7181
16055 SW Regatta Lane, Beaverton
Hiroshi Restaurant
(503) 619-0559
926 NW 10th Ave, Portland
Koji Osakaya -Downtown Portland
(503) 294-1169
606 SW Broadway, Portland
Koji Osakaya - Lloyd Place
(503) 280-0992
1502 NE Weidler, Portland
Marinepolis Sushi Land -Lloyd
(503) 280-0300
1409 NE Weidler St, Portland
Marinepolis Sushi Land -Pearl
(503) 546-9933
138 NW 10th Ave, Portland
Mika Sushi
(503) 222-0699
1425 SW 2nd Avenue, Portland
Saburo’s Sushi House Restaurant
(503) 236-4237
1667 SE Bybee Blvd, Portland
Yuki Sushi & Sake Bar
(503) 525-8807
930 NW 23rd Ave, Portland
Beaverton / Hillsboro
Hakatamon
(503) 641-4613
10500 SW Bvtn-Hillsdale Hwy, Beaverton
Hanabi’s Izakaya Bistro & Bar
(503) 646-1986
10053 SW Nimbus Ave, Beaverton
Ikenohana
(503) 646-1267
14308 SW Allen Blvd, Beaverton
Izakaya Kaiten Sushi
(503) 643-2578
14605 SW Millikan Way, Beaverton
I love Sushi
(503) 644-5252
3486 SW Cedar Hills Blvd, Beaverton
Koji Osakaya -Hillsboro
(503) 629-1815
2215 NW Allie Ave, Hillsboro
Marinepolis Sushi Land -Beaverton
(503) 520-0257
4021 SW 117th Ave, Beaverton
Syun Izakaya
(503) 640-3131
209 NE Lincoln St, Hillsboro
Sambi Japanese Restaurant
(503) 296-0045
Sushi & Maki
(503) 648-4366
2401 NE Cornell Rd No. X, Hillsboro
Yuzu Japanese Restaurant
(503) 350-1801
4130 SW 117th Avenue #H, Beaverton
Yuki Sushi & Sake Bar
(503) 430-5275
1335 NE Orenco Station Pkwy, Hillsboro
Vancouver WA
Marinepolis Sushi Land -Vancouver
(360) 883-3881
1401 SE 164th Ave, Vancouver
R
I Love Sushi
Authentic
sushi served by
master chefs
Seattle’s favorite
Kaiten Sushi
chains. Quick,
affordable and
good!
Marinepolis R
Sushi Land
Roy St.
R Genki Sushi
Mercer St
Harrison St
IBUKI Map
5th Ave
Republican St.
Seattle
Center
Where to pick up IBUKI
in Downtown, Belltown & International District
Thomas St
oa
dS
t.
*See p.12-13 (restaurant) and p.18-10 (stores)
for address and phone numbers
St
.
8t
hA
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7t
hA
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Stylish restaurant
located in Hotel
Max
ar
Modern Izakaya
with many sake
& shochu selections
St
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ia
St
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Le
t.
Vi
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Red Fin Sushi Restaurant
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Shiro’s
Sushi Restaurant
R Kushibar
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Wasabi Bistro
R
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Be
Belltown
ll
tte
St
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St
St
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Bl
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Fresh local fish
in traditional
edomae style
hA
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Ba
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6t
hA
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W
all
3r
nA
ve
St
Av
e
ter
Cl
tt
rS
lio
5t
4t
Vi
ne
Denny Way
W
es
ay
El
Br
John St.
Downtown
ar
ew
St
dA
ve
Broadway
tA
ve
tS
Wann Japanese
y
t Blue C Sushi
Wa
Izakaya
eS
ive
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Pin
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WA State
R
Convention
S Daiso Japan
t.
Center
eS
Pik
100 yen
Hip Kaiten sushi.
store chain
Izakaya with
J-pop lovers will
from
Japan
class and
like it
Pike
t.
sophisticated
nS
Place
o
i
atmosphere
Un
Market
St.
ty
rsi
Al
e
iv
as
ka
Un
St.
nW
ca
e
n
ay
Se
St.
ng
i
r
Cafe in historic building that
t.
Sp
Nijo Sushi
nS
houses the only remaining
iso
Bar & Grill
d
t.
Japanese Bathhouse (Sento)
Ma
R
nS
in the US
rio
a
St.
M
Fuji Sushi
ia
b
R
Bar dining serving
lum
Co
tasty Korean & Japat.
Main St.
Ichiban
Panama Cafe
yS
nese fusion dishes
err
R
R
R
h
C Bistro
t.
Imo Asian
Maneki R
sS
Tsukushinbo
me
R
a
J
Kobo at Higo
1s
Japanese
street Yatai
style Izakaya
bar
ve
rA
no
Mi
ren
Bo
e
Av
6th Ave
Jackson St.
e
Av
Main St.
Great hearty
izakaya dishes
at very reasonable prices
6th
International
District
ve
hA
4th Ave
Washington St.
5t
Yesler Way
S Sake Nomi
3rd Ave
At Kobo, you will
find Japanese art,
furniture, crafts,
pottery and more
Sake shop and
tasting bar
e
Av
e
Av
e
Av
e
Av
R Kaname Izakaya
e
Av
7th
6th
5th
e
Av
S
9th
8th
e
Av
ve
dA
S
Momo
ve
yA
rr
Te
3rd
2n
1st
6th Ave
5th Ave
Jackson St.
Vi Bacchus
Sake Bar & Bistro
R
Union St.
Pike St.
Japan Town
Daiso
7th Ave
S
Maynard Ave
Azuma Gallery S
5th Ave
Maekawa Izakaya &
Unicorn Crepes
S Fort St George
King St.
Find Japanese & Asian
Ming’s Asian Gallery S R
R J Sushi
books and goodies here
Weller St.
Kinokuniya Book Store S
R Bush Gardem
Kagedo S
Lane St.
Uwajimaya S
Japan
www.ibukimagazine.com
15
Business Directory
Art & Furniture
Kobo
Kobo at Higo
(206) 381-3000
Kobo Capitol Hill
(206) 726-0704
814 E Roy, Seattle
Shop & gallery featuring art, craft and design
from Japan and the Northwest
koboseattle.com
Ming’s Asian Gallery
Seattle
(206) 748-7889
519 6th Ave S, Seattle
Bellevue
(425) 462-4008
10217 Main St, Bellevue
Fine antique and contemporary Asian furniture mingsgallery.com
Azuma Gallery
(206) 622-5599
530 1st Ave S, Seattle
Takumi Company
(206) 622-2804
JapaneseCarpentry.com
Carolyn Staley Fine Prints
(206) 621-1888
2003 Western Ave #107, Seattle
Chidori Asian Antiques
(206) 343-7736
108 So.Jackson St, Seattle
Glenn Richards - Asian Furnishings & Antiques
(206) 287-1877
964 Denny Way, Seattle
Kagedo
(206) 467-9077
520 1st Ave S, Seattle
The Cullom Gallery
(206) 919-8278
313 Occidental Ave S, Seattle
Shogun’s Gallery
(503) 224-0328
1111 NW 23rd Ave, Portland
Bakery and Cafe
Fuji Bakery
(425) 641-4050
1502 145the PL SE, Bellevue
Fumie’s Gold
(425) 223-5893
10045 Northeast 1st Street, Bellevue
Hiroki Desserts
(206) 547-4128
Panama Hotel Tea & Coffee House
(206) 515-4000
Setsuko Pastry
(206) 816 0348
Unicorn Crepes
(206) 652-0637
421 6th Avenue South, Seattle
Books, Games & Anime
Anime Asylum
(503) 284-6626
1009 Lloyd Center, Portland, OR
Anime Raku
(425) 454-0112
Kinokuniya Book Store
Seattle
(206) 587-2477
Beaverton
(503) 641-6240
Tokyo Lifestyle
(206) 241-0219
633 Westfield, Southcenter Mall, Tukwila
Newly opened in Westfield Southcenter
Fashion
Momo
(206) 329-4736
Totokaelo
(206) 623.3582
913 Western Ave, Seattle
General Store
Anzen Hiroshi’s
(503) 233-5111
736 NE MLK Blvd, Portland
Daiso Alderwood Mall
(425) 673-1825
3000 184th St SW, # 398, Lynnwood
Daiso West Lake Center
(206) 625-0076
400 Pine St. #1005, Seattle
Daiso International District
76 S Washington St, Seattle
Health and Beauty
Hen Sen Herbs
(206) 328-2828
13256 NE 20th St. Suite 3A, Bellevue
Acupuncture Associates -Eastgate
(425) 289-0188
15100 SE 38th St #305B, Bellevue
Acupuncture Associates -Redmond
(425) 882-0112
16761 NE 79th, Redmond
Central Chiropractic Clinic
(206) 362-3520
15027 Aurora Ave N, Shoreline
WellnessOne of Eastgate
(425) 289-0092
15100 SE 38th St., Ste. 305B, Bellevue
Japanese Confectionery
Blue Camellia
(425) 889-2735
Tokara Confectionery
(206) 784-0226
Sake
Saké Nomi
(206) 467-7253
Schools
Music
School of Taiko
(425) 785-8316
www.Japantaiko.com
Cooking
Blue Camellia - a Japanese Confectionery
(425) 889-2735
11229 NE 106th Pl, Kirkland, WA
Hiroko Sugiyama Culinary Atelier
(425) 836-4635
22207 NE 31st St, Sammamish
NuCulinary
(206) 932-3855
6523 California Ave SW, Seattle
Satsuma Cooking School
(206) 244-5151
17105 Ambaum Blvd S, Seattle
Japanese Calligraphy
Akashi USA Co - Redmond
(425) 869-0994
6611 147th Ct NE, Redmond
Japanese Floral Design
Ikebana by Megumi
(425) 744-9751
www.ikebanabymegumi.com
Ikenobo Lake Washington Chapter
(425) 803-3268
11832 NE 73rd St, Kirkland
The Little Flower Station
(425) 770-5888
www.thelittleflowerstation.com
Yushoryu Ikenobo
(206) 723-4994
5548 Beason Ave. S.,Seattle
Language
Seattle Japanese Language School
(206) 323-0250
Washington Academy of Languages
(206) 682-4463
2 Nickerson St, # 201, Seattle
Martial Arts
Aikido Eastside
(425) 802-3125
13410 SE 32nd St, Bellevue
Seattle Kendo Kai
(206) 721-1416
1610 S King St, Seattle
Seattle Judo Dojo
(206) 324-7080
Seattle School of Aikido
(206) 525-1955
3422 NE 55th St, Seattle
Koei-Kan Karate-Do Bellevue
(425) 747-9411
1910 132nd Ave NE, #11, Bellevue
Obukan Kendo Club
(503) 443-2281
4130 SW 117th Ave. Suite 246, Beaverton
Portland Aikikai
(503) 274-2606
1623 NW Marshall, Portland
Tea Ceremony
Urasenke Foundation Seattle Branch
(206) 324-1483
2360 43rd Ave East, #113, Seattle
Other
Japanese Abacus Math School
(503) 520-1063
15188 NW Central Drive #219, Portland
Japanese Confectionery
J
apanese cuisine has become quite common in America. But how many people know much
about Japanese sweets? Japanese sweets, wagashi, are as different from Western sweets as Japanese cuisine is from American cuisine. Wagashi usually do not contain any butter or flour. Instead, they are made with rice and/or a sweetened bean paste called anko. Each piece is tiny and
exquisitely designed. Gwen Stamm, who teaches Japanese tea sweets in Kirkland, says, “Japanese
sweets for tea depict some aspect of seasons. For example, the month of April emphasizes the
cherry blossom season. Therefore, most sweets will in some way evoke the feeling of springy
cherry blossoms.” If you are interested, Gwen’s three-hour-long classes take place every month.
For $30, you can learn to make wagashi while sampling your creations along with a bowl of matcha green tea. You’ll also take some sweets home (contact: Gwen Stamms Blue Camellia at 425
889-2735). You can also order her confectioneries without taking her classes. Tokara Confectionery located near Green Lake (www.tokaragashi.com / Tel. 206-784-0226) is another choice
for professionally crafted wagashi. Both Gwen and Tokara learned confectionery in Kyoto. Another simple quick route to tasting wagashi is to choose from
the wide variety offered at Uwajimaya supermarket. Mochi
Ice Cream from Maeda-en, a Japanese green tea producer, is a
good choice especially if you are still not sure about sweetened
bean paste. It’s a fusion of a layer of mochi (rice cake) and premium ice cream. At your next tea party, why not impress your
friends by serving artistically shaped Japanese confectioneries and green tea?
<< Maeda-en’s Mochi Ice Cream with green tea
flavor is a must-try.
<< Wagashi, Japanese confectionery, crafted by Gwen
Stamm.
Low-fat, high-in-protein vegetarian recipe
Spinach Salad with Seasoned Mashed Tofu: Shiraae
Shiraae is a traditional tofu dish in Japan. Various vegetables and seaweeds can be used for shiraae, but let’s try some simple ingredients that Americans are familiar with: spinach and carrots. Because we dress the dish with tofu instead of mayo or cheese, this
shiraae style salad is a great dish for someone on a diet.
Ingredients (4 servings)
Tofu (firm) ................................................................ 10 oz
Spinach.................................................................. 1 bunch
Carrot...............................................................................1
Dried shiitake mushrooms.................................................3
Saké............................................................................ 3 tbs
Sugar........................................................................... 3 tbs
Soy sauce..................................................................... 3 tbs
Ground white sesame seeds......................................... 3 tbs
Water......................................................................1/3 cup
Directions
Dashi SOy?
To make an even better dish, use
dashi soy sauce instead of ordinary soy sauce. Kamada’s Dashi
soy contains natural broth made
from fish extracts and kombu seaweed. It will add a rich, deeper
flavor.
3.
4.
5.
6.
1. Wrap the tofu with paper towels and place a small cutting
board on top of it (used for weight). Leave it for about 15
minutes to remove the water.
2. Soak dried shiitake mushrooms in 1/3 cup water. Let sit for
10 min. When mushrooms are softened, remove stem and
slice thinly. Keep the drained water; it will be used as dashi,
or soup stock. Peel carrot and slice into thin strips.
Put saké, sugar, 1tbs soy sauce, and dashi water (water drained from shiitake
mushrooms) in a small pan and bring to a boil. Add carrot and shiitake mushrooms
and simmer on medium heat until carrots are softened. Set aside until cool.
In a large pot, cook spinach in boiling water for one minute (do not overcook). Drain
spinach and then soak in cold water until cool. Drain and squeeze the spinach to
remove the excess liquid. Cut spinach into about 1 inch lengths.
Smash tofu with a fork in a large bowl. Add liquid from cooked carrot and shiitake
mushrooms, 2 tbs soy sauce and sesame seeds.
Mix carrot and shitake into the seasoned smashed Tofu. Add spinach and mix again.
RECIPE
Cutlet Curry
The cutlet is a common Euro-Japanese dish, as is curry rice. This richly delicious combination of Japanese curry and cutlet is very
popular among hungry young men in Japan. Try cooking J-style cutlet curry with Kikkoman’s ready-to-eat Ginza Curry™ Sauce.
Ingredients (2 servings)
Kikkoman Ginza Classic Curry Sauce........ 1 can
Kikkoman Bread Crumbs (Panko) ...........¼ cup
Boneless pork or chicken breast................2 slices
Egg ................................................................. 1
All-purpose flour.........................................1 tbs
Steamed rice............................................. 4 cups
Oil for frying
Pickled vegetable (optional)
Directions
Toppings on Japanese Curry
While cutlets make for a typical topping on Japanese curry,
pickled vegetables are also a common and tasty topping.
Although Japanese pickles such as rakkyo and fukujinzuke
are typically used in Japan, American pickles go well with
curry too. Some people like topping with melted cheese
and sliced boiled eggs to make spicy curry milder.
1. Pour oil at least 1 inch deep into frying pan;
heat to 350°F.
2. Slice meat to 1/4 inch thick. Beat egg until
blended. Coat both sides of pork with
flour, then dip into egg and finally coat
thoroughly with bread crumbs.
3. Fry meat in oil until golden brown, about 3
minutes on each side.
4. Serve with steamed rice and warmed Kikkoman
Ginza Classic Curry Sauce.
5. Top with pickled vegetables as you like.

Check out more recipes online
www.ibukimagazine.com
SAKE
Saké Regions
By Johnnie Stroud, owner of Saké Nomi
A
t Saké Nomi, we’ve organized and
grouped our saké by the regions
in which they were brewed. It is
our hope that this will encourage our customers to explore the wide variety of styles
brewed in regions throughout Japan whose
names might not be immediately recognizable.
While the brewing capitals of Kobe and
Kyoto feature delicious saké from the
world’s biggest and best-selling brewing
companies, we particularly enjoy the discovery of smaller, family owned and operated breweries often located in more rural
areas. Saké produced by these smaller operations is referred to as jizake, or “local/
country saké,” and we think of them as being roughly equivalent to a microbrewery
or boutique winery.
Many saké brewing styles and flavors have
developed as a direct result of regional influences such as naturally occurring water
sources and locally cultivated rice.
In general, “regionality” in saké is not as
pronounced as it is in the wine world, and
unlike grapes used in wine making, sakamai (saké rice) is routinely shipped from
region to region for use in brewing.
Before the development of sophisticated
distribution methods, the local cuisine
酒呑
also played a major role in determining the
prevalent flavor profiles of the area’s saké.
It’s a bit of a generalization, but the style
of saké drunk in seaside towns where fresh
seafood is a staple of the local diet tended
to be light and dry, whereas saké in more
remote or mountainous regions tended to
be more robust and full-bodied to complement the saltier preserved foods found in
those areas.
A few areas famous for regional distinction
include Niigata (light, clean, dry and refined), the Nada district in Kobe (dry, settled, not overly fragrant and “masculine”),
and the Fushimi district in Kyoto (soft,
slightly sweet, melting and “feminine”).
As the saké market continues to change and
develop, many brewers are taking advantage of technological advances to produce
unique saké that does not fit the traditional
regional “mold.”
The skills of each individual toji (brewmaster) allow them to exert enough leverage on
a saké’s flavor profile that it is not much
of a stretch to say that if you provide two
neighboring brewers with the exact same
raw materials, they would each produce a
distinctly unique product.
While an argument can be made that
technology and improved transportation
NARUTOTAI
GINJO SHIBORITATE NAMA GENSHU
Brewery: Honke Matsuura (established 1804)
Region: Tokushima
Type: Ginjo (Nama Genshu)/58%
Unpasteurized (nama) and undiluted or “cask
strength” (genshu). Yeasty, sweet grain aromas. Soft, full, gentle mouthfeel, with ripened fruit sweetness, a hint of chocolate and
slight minerality. Lingering finish shows a
touch of mint. The “oil can” would be ideal
at a barbecue, or with fatty sashimi.
has made the Japanese saké drinking and
brewing world smaller, resulting in more
homogeneous saké styles, we believe there
are still many interesting regional characteristics to be found, and we respect the local pride that these brewers express through
their craft.
Johnnie Stroud, is the owner of
Saké Nomi, the saké shop and tasting
bar in Pioneer Square.
Saké Nomi
76 South Washington Street, Seattle
Tel 206-467-SAKE
Your Own Trip with
Japan Rail Pass
Tokyo +
Onsen Hot Spring
Visit Japan
This Summer’s Destination
TRAVEL : Special Edition
Experience Historic Festivals
in Tohoku, Northern Japan
Fly east for 10 hours and you’ll arrive in a place far removed from Western
culture. This summer, why not explore Japan, a country rich in both ancient traditions and up-to-the-minute excitement? Shop along the Ginza,
home to an impressive collection of world-renowned boutiques; drop by
the otaku paradise of Akihabara and sip tea at a maid café; take a trip to a
local hot-springs inn and dine on the local sashimi and saké; and celebrate
Japan’s hot summer with a traditional Japanese festival. On the following
pages, we’ll introduce you to companies waiting to make this dream trip
become a reality for you.
Plan Your Own Trip with Japan Rail Pass
Kyushu
Hokkaido
© Furano/© JNTO
©Kagoshima Prefectural Tourist Federation/©JNTO
“The Japan Rail Pass lets travelers ride JR trains,
buses and ferries with one simple ticket,” explains
Max Hattori, the man in charge of Sankei Travel’s
Seattle office. Japan’s public transportation system
is safe and punctual, making it a relaxing way for
travelers to see the country. The popular ekiben
(boxed lunches) feature local delicacies that add
to the fun of the trip. For long-term travelers and
students, the 21-day pass allows for travel from the
southern tip of Kyushu to the northernmost point
of Hokkaido. It’s an economical way to see
the country. You can enjoy a dip in the ocean
along the way or a hike in the Japanese Alps
near Nagano, which hosted the 1998 Winter
Olympics. Take in the many charms of Japan’s
cities and countryside with this pass.
Sankei Travel Seattle Office
1-800-801-4069
www.sankeitravel.com
Tokyo +
Onsen Hot Spring
JTB offers a wide range of services, from package tours to hotel reservations, but the one that
has been getting the most attention lately has
been its Flex service, which allows travelers
to select their own destinations and accommodations. “The most popular service is one
that combines a stay in Tokyo, a trip to a hotsprings inn, the train ticket to get there and
the airline tickets to and from Japan,” says Dan
Winters of the JTB Seattle office. Ibuki has
featured hot-springs resorts in earlier issues.
They’re wonderful for experiencing Japan’s famous cuisine, architecture and exemplary service. Because Japan has plenty of volcanoes, it
also is dotted with hot springs. Hakone and
Inatori on the Izu Peninsula are close to Tokyo
but seem worlds away when you’re soaking in a
hot-springs bath and looking out at the ocean
or up at Mount Fuji. Or visit Kusatsu, where
many Japanese ryokan, or inns, are clustered
Onsen
©JNTO
together, allowing you to sample different
public baths as you stroll around the town.
This website offers an overview of some of
these hot-springs destinations: http://www.
japanican.com/special/onsen/. You can start
planning the trip of a lifetime today.
Tokyo
JTB USA Seattle Office
1-866-467-8877
www.jtbusa.com
©JNTO
Travel agencies offer many different packages, so please consult a professional travel agent to find the tour that
is right for you. The Japanese government has been aggressively promoting the country as a tourist destination
and improving the English signage for travelers, making Japan a comfortable destination for overseas visitors.
Deflationary trends in Japan have also made dining and shopping much more affordable. If you think Japan is
expensive, you’re in for a surprise. This summer is a wonderful time to experience Japan.
©Odakyu Electric Railway/©JNTO
Experience Historic Festivals
in Tohoku, Northern Japan
Ching Tan, sales manager at Travel Oriented,
says there’s one tour that he recommends
above all others during the summer months: A
trip that includes visits to the Big Three festivals of Japan’s northern region, Tohoku. “Our
tour is put together by people very knowledgeable about travel in Japan. The restaurants,
hotels and sightseeing spots they select offer a
vast view of Japan in a short time. The package
tour and the relatively close destinations offer
the best option both economically and experientially.”
On the Tokyo & Summer Festival 8-Day tour,
travelers gather in Tokyo, then fly to Hakodate
on Hokkaido. They take the bullet train to
Aomori, Akita, Iwate, Sendai, Nikko and then
back to Tokyo. The main destinations along
the way are the three great festivals: Nebuta
Festival in Aomori, the Kanto Festival in Akita
and the Tanabata Festival in Sendai.
The Nebuta Festival dates back to the 9th Century and draws three million sightseers annually. The festival features massive lanterns made
of traditional washi paper, and dancers and
drummers in traditional Nebuta costumes. It’s
Nebuta
Hakodate
Aomori
Akita
Sendai
Nikko
Tokyo
a dynamic parade.
The Kanto Festival in Akita started as a way
for farmers to gather and pray for an abundant harvest. Today it includes unique performances by people balancing 110-lb. lanterns
on their heads, shoulders and chests. The Tanabata Festival features colorful streamers made
of traditional washi paper — a beautiful way to
celebrate summer in northern Japan.
A trip to Tohoku this summer offers a wonderful way to experience Japan’s rich culture.
© Yasufumi Nishi/© JNTO
Kanto
Travel Oriented Inc.
1-888-496-5676
www.japandeluxetour. com
© Yasufumi Nishi/© JNTO
Tanabata
Bilingual Comic Series
24 息吹 ibuki • March
/ april 2010
Winter 2009
TRENDS
The Demands of
Modern Marriage
By Masami Suzuki,
translated by Yuko Enomoto
In the old days, the Japanese used to find their marriage partner
through arranged meetings. Today, people mainly marry for love.
But in this busy age, you can’t just sit around and wait to find your
perfect match. These days, you’ve got to make an effort.
L
ately, the media has created a new word: konkatsu, which is
short for kekkon katsudo, or “marriage activity.” The word
denotes the various activities one might undertake with the goal
of finding a spouse. When someone looks for work in Japan,
he or she engages in various job-search activities, called shukatsu
(short for shushoku katsudo). This is where konkatsu came from.
Its original use was from a book entitled Konkatsu Jidai (The Age
of Marriage Activity) by a journalist specializing in family issues
and Japan’s falling birthrate.
Konkatsu stands alongside “herbivorous boys” (introduced in the
inaugural issue of Ibuki) as a nominee for the trendy word of
the year in 2009. It’s been a theme of a TV drama and it’s even
leading to new business opportunities as local governments talk
it up. Konkatsu has become a bit of a social phenomenon. What
sort of activities are implied by the popular term? The book that
started the boom, Konkatsu Jidai, detailed how computer matchmaking services were in high demand, but it also showed many
other methods people have come up with to find their spouse.
F
irst are singles parties. These have been going on for some
time, but they were typically held at night in a downtown
restaurant or bar. Singles parties in the konkatsu style could take
place on a bright green golf course in the early morning, at a café
over dessert, during lunch or while walking your dog at a park
on a Sunday afternoon. Instead of just gathering at a restaurant,
these new spouse hunters prefer to find their partner through
their interests and hobbies.
Next are the workout or study groups. People gather at the gym
or take English lessons, golf classes or wine seminars, where they
get a chance to become familiar with the other students. The
early birds can engage in asakatsu, short for “morning marriage
activities” before work. From 7am in central Tokyo’s Marunouchi business district, people gather at a culture center to hear
lectures on the classics or take classes that lead to certification in
a skill or trade. Some singles with the volunteer spirit gather at
parks early on weekends to pick up litter.
Some spots have been created specifically for the konkatsu boom.
They’re called konkatsu bars. While these bars have some similarities with American singles bars, one big difference is that
they are for members only. Memberships are usually free and
there are no qualifications that need to be met, but the fact that
everyone has to show identification and have their identity recorded means the bar isn’t a place for an anonymous encounter.
This makes some visitors feel safer. The bar staff also help to
encourage encounters. For example, if you are drinking alone or
with a friend at one of these bars, one of the bar employees may
come up and say, “The person over there has expressed interest
in meeting you. Would you like to get together?” If you agree to
the meeting, in the blink of an eye, the staff will have arranged
your tables and chairs together. (Of course, if you prefer, you
can certainly walk over to the table on your own.) There are even
people who admit to dropping by a konkatsu bar every Friday
after work.
R
ecent trends have conspired to create this konkatsu boom.
First is the quickly declining birthrate: Japanese women
have an average of 1.37 children. Next, more people are waiting
to marry: The average marrying age for men is 30.2; for women
it’s 28.5. Third, more people are just not getting married: Nearly
40% of men and 30% of women in the 30-34 age range are single. And we shouldn’t forget the economic stagnation and lack of
jobs. Some women believe that in these difficult economic times,
it’s better to find a spouse and settle down than to look for work,
while some men also long for the stability of a marriage. Regional governments have been talking up the konkatsu boom as a way
to counter the trend toward rapid aging in the countryside and
the falling birthrate. Events feature teams of men and women
making local delicacies, konkatsu trolley tours to promote friendship and many other locally inspired activities to bring men and
women together. The provinces have been making a big push on
this front.
Companies that were once known for catering to singles have
jumped on the bandwagon by calling themselves “konkatsu producers” and hosting and planning all sorts of events. There are
also konkatsu calendars for sale and konkatsu fraud to beware of
… who knows where it will end!
J
ust as a job search is required to find a job, now marriage
searches are part of getting married. And because of this, more
people are turning to konkatsu activities in an attempt to find
that special someone. At the same time, many people long for
that dramatic encounter, that fateful moment, that sense of true
love. When you meet that special someone through a konkatsu
activity, the two of you may want to add a little dramatic flair
to your story when you’re inevitably asked, “How did you two
meet?” at your wedding reception..
Lifestyle
MOVIES FASHION PLACES & MORE
By Julian Waters
MOVIES 20th Century Boys 2 – The Last Hope
Based on the one of the most succesful manga comics by Naoki
Urasawa, the blockbuster 20th Century Boys trilogy continues
with The Last Hope. Directed by Yukihiko Tsutsumi, the series
was a huge undertaking with a cast of 300. The production
scale has been compared with Lord of the Rings. If you haven’t
read the series I suggest you start with the first film 20th Century Boys: Beginning of the End.
The series revolves around a group of childhood friends led by
Kenji (Toshiaki Karasawa). While children, they wrote The Book
of Prophecy, accurately depicting the rise of a cult organization
that attempts to rule and subsequently destroy the world. As
the first chapter unfolds, Kenji and his friends try to stop a villain who unleashes a deadly virus.
Chapter 2 of the trilogy takes place in 2015 in the future. Many
of the main characters are now dead, in prison or on the run,
branded as terrorists. Ten years after the momentous violent
events, Kenji is missing while a mysterious “Friend” oversees a
New World Empire. With Kenji’s fate unknown, the film turns
its focus to his niece Kanna (Taira Airi, Arch Angels). Kanna
goes deep undercover, submersing herself into the frightening
“Friendland” world, in an effort to clear Kenji’s name and reveal the truth about “Friend.” After a new Book of Prophecy surfaces predicting a saviour will arise at a church in Shinjuku but
will be assassinated, the fugitives rally together in an effort to
find out the truth about “Friend” and the devilish plot.
This deeply intense manga series brought to life on the big
screen yields a frightening modern masterpiece.
20th Century Boys 2: The Last Hope
© 1999, 2006, Naoki Urasawa, Studio Nuts/Shogakukan
© 2009 “20th Century Boys” Film Partners
CAR New Sporty Mazda Hatchback to launch in 2010
Mazda is preparing to launch a stylish, eco-friendly, fun-todrive five-door hatchback, the 2011 Mazda2. Small zippy and
efficient, loaded with style and substance, the 2011 Mazda2 will
make its premier in the US market late in the summer of 2010.
Originally launched in 2007, the new MAZDA2 was first introduced in Europe, Japan and Australia. While developing
the new Mazda2, Mazda took a thorough look at global trends
and carefully worked to identify the truly beneficial values that
could be infused into a global subcompact car. These benefits
have not gone unnoticed by the public, who have snatched up
over 370,000 units
in the three years
since its introduction
in other parts of the
world. The affordable, new Mazda2
is sure to provide an
© Mazda
invigorating spark of
performance, energy and subtlety, giving drivers instant satisfaction.
Gadget Space age oxygen for the every day athlete
Imagine you are training for your favorite NW marathon and
after 30 minutes of running along the Portland waterfront or
around Marymoor Park, you say to yourself, “Man, I am really
out of breath.” Well until now your options for curing that
oxygen deficit was very limited (slow down or walk). But now
the creative inventors from Japan have given you a third option.
The creators of Oxyfit claim that “the world’s first compact personal oxygen supply” provides up to 30% more oxygen. The
advanced electronic oxygen generation pack with a lithium-ion
battery provides 1.5 hours of run-time and can be worn biking,
hiking, running, even love making--any activity that leaves you
gasping for air! Just position the supply tube — which looks
like something a telephone operator would wear — in front
of your face and it pumps pure oxygen-rich air directly into
your breathing space! You are passing up Microsoft or Nike
coworkers as they struggle to keep pace with you. While you
may feel like a fool running down the street with this getup on,
or your spouse may give you
a strange look when you walk
into the bedroom wearing
nothing but your new gadget,
the extra edge is worth it, isn’t
it? Before you answer, I had
better mention that it will set
you back about $2,700. Happy trails :-)
© AK inc.
MUSIC Sakura-con performing artists
© Spice Records
© Human Noise Records
Dazzle Vision
High and Mighty Color
Beautiful petite singer with Shockingly loud voice... So begins
the band Dazzle Vision from Japan. Dazzle Vision is a fourmember hard rock and heavy metal band formed in June 2003.
Lead singer Maiko has an adorable idol-like appearance with
a smooth melodic voice ... until she gets wound up. Then all
hell breaks loose. Maiko sings in perfect harmony alongside the
guitar and bass played by Yu and Takuro. Dazzle Vision’s CD
Crystal Children displays a variety of different rock tunes that
cross genres from J-pop to heavy metal. The #7 track “Crystal”
contains enough emotional delicacy to compliment the energy
of the rest of the album. Dazzle Vision is an exciting band that
has found a definite niche.
Info: www,japanfiles.com/dazzlevision
Launched from Okinawa, Japanese rock band High and
Mighty Color has recently released its 5th album, entitled
SWAMP MAN. Very popular on the Japanese rock scene, the
band has contributed several theme songs to anime series including “Darker than BLACK” and “Mobile Suit Gundam
Seed Destiny: Special Edition.” High and Mighty Color seems
to have tweaked its sound after adding new lead singer Halca.
Track number 4, “Eyes,” has an amazing feel-good vibe with
well played guitar riffs that make this song a hit. Another
good listen is track 5: “Fly Me to the Other Moon.” The song
kicks off with a really upbeat soulful groove and just builds
and builds, producing a very rhythmic song while retaining the
bands trademark rock sound.
Info: www.japanfiles.com/highandmightycolor
Local News and Events
EVENTS
Trash Fashion Show at Miyabi Sushi
on Earth Day
35th Annual Seattle Cherry Blossom &
Japanese Cultural Festival
Sushi + Trash Fashion = Eco
Explore Seattle’s deep connections with Japan
When: April 22
Where: Miyabi Sushi, 16820 Southcenter Parkway, Tukwila
Admission: $27 for Dinner & Trash Fashion Show
Call 206-575-6815 (Miyabi Sushi) to reserve your seats.
When: April 16-18, 10 am - 6 pm
Where: Seattle Center: Fisher Pavilion and Center House
Admission: Free
To celebrate earth day, join
Miyabi’s trash fashion show.
Co-owner of Miyabi, Hisako,
is a member of “Haute Trash
(http://www.hautetrash.org)”
and has been organizing many
different delightful runway
shows of haute couture created
entirely from society’s rubbish.
Twice a year, she hosts the show
at her own restaurant. Unwanted and cast off items that would
otherwise make their way to the
landfill are expertly worked into
garments that rival the hottest
Paris fashions. Enjoy this unique
fashion show with premium
saké and haute sushi dinner prepared by executive chef, Masa.
<< Hisako’s trash fashion
was picked by “Ripley’s Believe it or not 2010.” This
kimono dress is made from
unagi packages and food
boxes from Miyabi Sushi
restaurant.
Ikebana on Mother’s Day
Create a beautiful flower arrangement for your mother
When: May 8th & 9th
Where: Swansons Nursery, 9701 15th Ave. N.W., Seattle
Admission: $25, including plant materials
Master ikebana artist, Megumi Schacher, teaches Ikebana Japanese
flower arrangement on Mother’s Day weekend. She uses local materials in an accessible style that is appropriate in any setting. Surprise
your mother with an exotic and beautiful flower arrangement.
Info: http://www.ikebanabymegumi.com
The festival was started in 1976
when Japan gave Seattle 1,000
cherry trees to celebrate the
200th anniversary of the United States. Now one of the largest Japanese cultural events, it
features over 100 displays and
demonstrations. From the
booms of taiko drums to the
silence of ikebana flowers, the event is a feast for the senses. Delicious
Japanese food, tea ceremony demonstrations and artwork present
both a modern and ancient view of this complex culture. This year’s
special focus is “Youth – Skateboarding – Hapa Experience.” Japanese
and Seattle local skateboarders will perform ninja-like acrobatics at
the new Seattle Center skate park on Saturday.
Sakura-Con 2010
Seattle’s largest anime convention
When: April 2nd - 4th
Where: Washington State Convention and Trade Center, Seattle
Admission: $30-40/day, $60/full day. Pre-register by March 8th to
recieve discount. Children age 6-12 receive 50% discount with
their family.
Presented by the Asia Northwest Cultural Education Association,
Sakura-Con is the oldest and most well attended anime convention
in the Pacific Northwest. Member attendance for Sakura-Con 2009
was over 16,000. The huge event has anime theaters, gaming, cosplay,
cultural panels, dances, concerts, art contests, over 100,000 square
feet of exhibits hall, guests of honor and more!
*If you are under 18, please remember to bring your signed parent
permission form with you to registration.
Info: http://www.sakuracon.org
NEWLY
OPENED
Genki Sushi - Renton
A new Genki Sushi store recently opened in February, conveniently
located next to Uwajimaya store in Renton. Stop by this quick and
affordable sushi restaurant while on your way to Uwajimaya. Located
at 365 S. Grady Way Ste. B & C, Renton Tel: (425) 277-1050
Fumie’s Gold — Bellevue Downtown
Japanese female pâtissier Fumie opened this Euro-Japanese-style togo-only cake & coffee store a few steps from a Bellevue downtown
park. It has been a Japanese mom’s favorite place to stop by after playing with their kids across the street in the park. Located at 10045 NE
1st St Ste CU2, Bellevue. Tel: (425) 223-5893
Unicorn Crepes — Southcenter
French crepes delivered in hip
Harajuku style. The very popular Unicorn Japanese-style crepes
store in the International District
opened a second store inside Westfield Southcenter mall. Stop in
and try one of the many flavors of
crepes. Located at 738 Westfield
Southcenter Mall, Tukwila, WA
98188. Tel: (206) 243-6236
Tokyo Japanese Lifestyle - Westfield Southcenter
The Tokyo Japanese Lifestyle
chain has arrived! The first in the
Seattle area, the brand new store
in Westfield Southcenter mall is
the 19th store of California-based
Tokyo Japanese Lifestyle. They
have a variety of Japan-related
products from anime DVDs to
kimonos. The store has already
Stuffed toys are some of the most
attracted many teenagers and
popular items at Tokyo Japanese
families with young children since
Lifestyle.
they opened their doors. Kawaii
(cute) Hello Kitty items and kimono-patterned wallets are popular among girls, while boys are
picking up Gundam robots and
Naruto figures. Moms are able to
find handy small kitchen tools.
Store manager Kohyo explains,
“Our store staff are all Japanese. A vast selection of action figPlease feel free to ask them ques- ures and anime collectibles.
tions if you find some products
unfamiliar and you have no idea how to use them.” They are planning
to open stores in Olympia and Tacoma this spring.
IBUKI is looking for sales reps in
Portland. If interested in, please contact us at:
[email protected]
Is there a Japanese related news story
or event you would like to share?
Drop us a line:
[email protected]
These are funny shaped erasers.
You will find unique stationery
selections not seen outside of
Japan.
Affordable T-shirts and caps in
their apparel section. Kimono,
Yukata and Geta (Japanese
sandals) can be also found.
633 Westfield Southcenter Mall, Tukwila, WA 98188
Tel: (206) 241-0219
ENTER TO WIN
Answer a short 10 question survey and be entered
to win collectors items!
Visit: http://www.ibukimagazine.com/surveys
A. DVD and Poster gift set of:
“20th Century Boys 1: Beginning of the End” &
“20th Century Boys 2: The Last Hope”
<< THREE persons can win
DVD and Poster gift sets for 20th
Century Boys 1 & 2. This trilogy is
based on very populer manga comics by Urasawa Naoki, the blockbuster “20th Century Boys.” Collect the first two before the third
one is released in this summer.
(see a review article on p.26.)
© 1999, 2006, Naoki Urasawa, Studio Nuts / Shogakukan
© 2008/2009 “20th Century Boys” Film Partners
B. “Dragon Ball Z DVD BOX Vol.1”
<< ONE person can win Dragon Ball Z DVD BOX Vol.1.
The Dragon Box features over 40 uncut episodes, remastered
and restored frame by frame, rendering the legendary action
in pristine clarity. Each episode is presented in Japanese or
English with the complete opening and closing credits and
includes the original episode previews. Vol. 1 contains episodes 001-042.
© BIRD STUDIO/SHUEISHA, TOEI ANIMATION. Film © 1989 TOEI ANIMATION CO., LTD. Licensed by FUNimation™ Productions, Ltd. All Rights
Reserved. Dragon Ball Z, Dragon Ball GT and all logos, character names and
distinctive likenesses thereof are trademarks of SHUEISHA, INC.
*One entry per household/name/email. To be qualified to enter you must include your name, address and telephone number for winner notification purposes. A name will be drawn at random and will be notified via email. The prizes will be shipped to the winner in May. Please visit
our website for detailed information: http://www.ibukimagazine.com/surveys
SHOCHU AOYAMA ANIME TOKYO TOFU SHABU-SHABU TENPURA SUKIYAKI
SUSHI SAKURA OISHII UMAMI TAIKO KYOTO SAKE SASHIMI SYOYU KAISEKI
NEXT ISSUE
Coming
May 10th
Look for our May /Jun issue distributed
at most fine Japanese restaurants,
stores and schools.
NABE OTAKU UMESHU GINZA MAIKO IZAKAYA RAMEN PONZU DASHI MANGA

The New Wave of - IBUKI Magazine

Transcription

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