A Cycling Lifestyle - JAPAN QUALITY REVIEW

4
2012
APRIL
vol. 11
FREE
QR Quality Review
stereo ear receiver
[A Conversation with Foreign Residents]
Cycling to work
in Tokyo
［FEATURE］
A Cycling Lifestyle
Hiroshi Sawada’s
Theory of Cafe Evolution
eng.jqrmag.com
C O N T E N T S
April 2012 (published on March 7, 2012)
This Month’s New Opening
05 CAPCOM BAR
This Month’s New Opening
07 Calbee+
JQR REPORT
09 Following 3/11
The Great East Japan Earthquake: a volunteer’s Disaster Reconstruction Report
11 Hiroshi Sawada’s
Photography/tomoya takai
Theory of Cafe Evolution
12
A Cycling
Lifestyle
(Introduction)
20
24
Jersey《Perla Jersey FZ》(castelli) 11,000 ￥, Knickers《Palmares
Knicker》(Castelli) 12,200 ￥, Socks《Luna Sock》(Castelli) 2,200 ￥,
Gloves 《Perla W Glove》(Castelli) 4,500 ￥, Shoes 《Eclipse
Lady》(Northwave) 12,300 ￥, Helmet《Inferno UL》(MET) 14,800 ￥ /Infos :
Intermax http://www.intermax.co.jp
28
30
Quality Review
stereo ear receiver
Touring the Festivals of Japan
Calling spring into a mountain village
The Monzen Harukoma in Kawaba
34
Continuing serial［Essay］
36
In the next issue
Japan and Me:
The Modern is in the Traditional
Francoise Morechand, Essayist
[A Conversation with Foreign Residents]
Cycling to work in
Tokyo
匠
37
In Praise of Fine Sake
Miwatari
Junmai Daiginjo
What Makes the Ultimate Bicycle?
Handmade Bicycles
from Someone
Who Understands
● Silk Bicycle Factory
02
2012 April
Publisher and Editor-in-Chief
Jun Shinozuka
Editors
Jun Nakaki
Editorial Committee
Syozou Izuishi
Tanehide Egami
Christine Lavoie-Gagnon
Shinichi Hanawa
Kyoko Ohtsu
Ryuichiro Matsubara
Dai Furusawa
Humio Maruyama
Web Director
Tokuhisa Maruyama
Yumi Yamaguchi
Designer
Wakako Kawasaki
Additional Editing
High-Tech Industry Innovation Agency
Chie Nakao
Planning
Integral Corp.
Editing
Digital Lights Inc.
Translation
Manabiya Inc.
［Fashion Critic］
［Executive Producer, Ecole De Cuisine Egami］
［Joint Representative Director Ramsar Network Japan］
［Economist, Professor at the University of Tokyo］
［High-Tech Industry Innovation Agency］
［Travel Writer］
JQR editorial department
2-1-14 Sarugakucho, Chiyoda-ku
Tokyo 101-0064
03-3518-2270
JQR advertising department
2-1-14 Sarugakucho, Chiyoda-ku
Tokyo 101-0064
03-3518-4488
eng.jqrmag.com
2012 April
03
This Month’s New Opening
CAPCOM BAR
Photos/Satoru NaitoText/JQR
FOOD
URL
http://www.paselabo.tv/
capcombar/index.html
The menu features a comprehensive choice of unique, imaginative
dishes, including some grilled at the table using a burner.
MAP
Visit the website for menus, event info, etc. Some menu items are
only available for a limited time, so be sure to check.
GAMING
原宿外苑
中学校西
CAPCOM BAR
Meiji-dori
Kuyakusho-dori
Shokuan-dori
東郷神社
竹下口
新青森
八戸
盛岡
角館
仙台
Shinjuku ward offices
Yasukuni-dori
Alta
原宿駅
Shinjuku Piccadilly
Shinjuku-Sanchome Exit B9
Full-immersion gaming
experience in a
bar setting
The Capcom Bar, which opened in January
in Tokyo's Shinjuku district, offers a totally
new authentic entertainment experience by
allowing customers to personally
experience the world of Capcom's classic
games, as well as the very latest game
releases.
The menu features dishes inspired by the
company's best-known games, including
Biohazard and Sengoku Basara. Choices
such as Brain Cake and Tofu Mode, to
name just two, recreate the world of
Biohazard to a remarkable degree. To add
04
2012 April
Gap フラッグ
ショップ原宿
フォーエバー 21
JR Shinjuku Stn.
Five minutes' walk from JR Shinjuku Station East Exit. Three
minutes' walk from Tokyo Metro Shinjuku-Sanchome Station Exit B9.
On Kuyakusho-dori, next to the ward offices.
Calbee+
原宿第一
マンションズ
Monitors enable customers to experience the latest Capcom game
software. Wireless controllers allow you to play from your seat, while
everyone joins in the excitement!
to the authentic feel, staff use stock
lines from game characters while serving
the food. The menu features around fifty
unique dishes, with a similarly extensive
drink selection.
Another attraction of the Capcom Bar is
the opportunity for onsite gaming.
Customers can test their skills on
pre-release game software courtesy of
three large monitors set up with
comfortable sofa seating. Naturally they
can also use their own portable game
consoles, bringing together people
who've never even met before for a great
time; something that sets the Capcom
Bar apart from ordinary restaurants. This
is sure to become an irresistible hangout
for gaming fans.
Capcom Bar
1-3-16 Kabuki-cho　Pasela Resorts Shinjuku 1F
Tel 0120-706-732
Weekdays　Sat/Sun/holidays
Admission is by a ticketing system
Tickets are distributed at the bar reception from 13:00 on
weekdays and 11:00 Sat, Sun and holidays. Each ticket is
valid for a 120 minute session (last orders at 90 minutes).
Sessions start at 12:00 (Sat/Sun/holidays only), 14:30,
17:00, 19:30 and 22:00
No admission for customers aged 16 years or under for
sessions after 17:00
2012 April
05
This Month’s New Opening
Calbee+
Photos/Satoru NaitoText/JQR
FOOD
URL
http://www.calbee.co.jp/
Poteriko, a kind of French fry, (right, 240 yen) and thick-sliced potato
chips flavored with Royce' chocolate (left, M size 240 yen) are
popular menu items.
New products introduced on the website can be obtained at Calbee+
about one week before they become available nationwide.
MAP
GOODS
Harajuku-Gaien
Junior High School West
The Togo Shrine
Harajuku
Police Station
Harajuku
Togo Kinenkan
Me
iji-
do
ri
Takeshita Exit
新青森
八戸
盛岡
角館
Harajuku
Station
Harajuku
Dai-ichi Mansions
Calbee+
The Togo Shrine
Takeshita Exit
Gap Flagship Harajuku
Forever 21
仙台
Five minutes' walk from JR Harajuku Station and the Tokyo Metro
Meiji-Jingumae Station. The colorful Calbee+ signboard is a
landmark.
Discover Piping
Hot Potato Chips
The Calbee+ store in Harajuku, Tokyo is
a direct outlet satellite store for the
Calbee snack manufacturing company. It’s
enormously popular, and on weekends
long queues of people line up to buy the
freshly cooked potato chips available
there.
Rows of limited-edition, regionallyproduced Jagariko (potato sticks) and
potato chips catch the eye when entering
the store. You won’t see an array like
this anywhere else, with snacks made
from different regional ingredients in a
diverse range of packaging. Happily, all
of these are available for sale. New
06
2012 April
Check out products developed exclusively for Calbee+, such as Saku
Saku Kuri Ogon (sweet potato sticks). You won’t find them being sold
anywhere else.
products go on sale at this store before
being released anywhere else, and
sometimes even experimental products
can be found here.
At the rear of the store the freshly
cooked potato chips that draw customers
into the store are made in a kitchen
visible through a glass wall. Choose your
flavoring, thickness and topping, and
place your order. Staff will then slice up
the potato and start frying. Watch them
being made while you wait, before
tucking into the piping hot freshly-cooked
chips. Why not come by some time and
choose your own favorite flavor of
freshly-cooked potato chips?
Calbee+
1-16-8 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
(on Takeshita-dori, Harajuku)
Open all year round, 9:30am-8:30pm
2012 April
07
from ISHINOMAKI
The Great East Japan Earthquake:
a volunteer’s Disaster Reconstruction Report
Following 3/11
Article and photos: Christine Lavoie-Gagnon
［Last part］
A nursing home that is seeking for help to repair its
structure a it floated on the the giant wave
One year has already passed since the
disaster. How does one commemorate such an
event? Dances and performances are certainly
not appropriate and the wound is still too raw
to hold large official memorial ceremonies.
Having worked in the field cleaning up the
debris from the massive, destructive tsunami,
we have always been careful to maintain the
right balance of cheer, in order to bring a little
courage and hope to the families that we have
helped throughout the year. However, at this
moment, it is not a smile that we see on the
volunteers' faces. We have helped the survivors
of this tragedy, but we have always felt the
heavy burden of their losses and all the missing
ones.
The clearing and cleaning work will soon come
to an end. It feels like an enormous Phew!
for Ishinomaki City. A handful of fishprocessing manufacturers have somehow
managed to resume business, albeit on a very
small scale, and are starting to grow again.
Ishinomaki City has created a Reconstruction
Committee. Large evacuation arteries, double
tsunami walls, the creation of new residential
neighborhoods inland far from the sea … a
whole urban project is under way, a project
Christine Lavoie-Gagnon
08
2012 April
that will run for years before it finally takes
shape, but it is a project with a vision, a
motivation.
However, helping individual residents is almost
impossible. The City's meager budget will
focus on the reconstruction plan as a priority.
Free residential land is available to anyone
who is too frightened to live near the sea.
However, they must bear the cost of building a
new house, and few can afford this luxury.
Volunteers’ work is thus evolving towards
coordination help, gathering materials,
facilitating access to affordable specialized
manpower, fundraising to reduce costs and
accelerating the reconstruction of houses and
neighborhoods.
Just a few weeks ago I was chatting with the
manager of a nursing home (the 300m 2 building
had literally floated on the waves and landed
10 cm away!) and he was saying from the heart
that “Ishinomaki citizens would still be in mud
and debris were it not for the fantastic work of
the police units, the SDF soldiers, as well as
the volunteers, coming from not only all around
Japan, but also from all over the world!”
Originally from Quebec, Canada, she has lived in Japan for over 17 years and manages a
communications firm in Tokyo. However, she is most likely to be found in Ishinomaki with NADIA, an
organization she founded to aid the victims of the disaster.
2012 April
09
da
e.
Hi ros hi Sa wa
Osaka Prefectur
e artist. Born in
turer before
Barista and latt
a food manufac
for
d
rke
wo
Sawada
ere he was
attle, U.S.A., wh
at
studying in Se
urned to his job
latte art. He ret
, but
enchanted by
back in Japan
ce
on
er
tur
fac
in
the food manu
rsue a career
ependent to pu
soon went ind
08 Free Pour
named the 20
ing
be
er
his
Aft
ed
e.
coffe
wada open
Champion, Sa
Latte Art World
ER COFFEE
AM
RE
ST
p,
own coffee sho
2010.
COMPANY, in
Hiroshi Sawada’s
Theory of Cafe
Evolution Vol.6
Photography/Kohji Kanatani
Authentic
American Style
I became acquainted with the coffee
times, it is imperative we limit a
that would change my life in Seattle.
barista’s work hours.
It was there that I worked in a coffee
That is why we close at 7 p.m. and
shop that was the exact image of the
only open six hours on weekends,
shop I had dreamed of owning. My
from midday to 6 p.m. When I first
ideal shop was one that reminded
opened the café, many complained
customers of an American West
that our closing time was too early.
Coast café the moment they set foot
But after seeing the tired faces of
in the door, so I ordered all the
staff at other restaurants and cafés, I
furniture for my shop from the U.S.
am convinced it is important to have
Even the toilet is American style;
short business hours to provide
customers must get a key from the
cheerful service.
staff. This can be an annoyance, but
Many customers also wondered why
that is how authentic I wanted my
we did not serve lunch. Certainly I
coffee shop to be.
was upset to see customers who had
American-influenced cafés are
made the effort to visit my café leave
everywhere in Japan, but mine is
upon hearing we had no lunch
American in more ways than just the
offerings. Our takings would probably
exterior and the interior. The work
have increased if we did. However, if
ethic is American, too. We even
I had expanded our menu willy-nilly,
close early.
the line between café and diner
One reason for this is that baristas
would have become blurred. It would
require concentration to do their
also have increased the burden on
work. Milk is poured to the brim of
the staff. The star of my cafés will
each cup, creating beautiful art. The
always be the coffee, and the biggest
baristas pour latte art repeatedly
star, the café latte. The only food we
throughout the day. If they are on a
stock are special-order donuts that
long shift, their physical and mental
go perfectly with milky café lattes.
stamina will inevitably deteriorate,
My cafés are the exact opposite of
leading to poor designs that instantly
convenience stores, which offer just
give customers an impression of
that, convenience. I want my shop to
inferior quality. If we are to serve
achieve character through simplicity.
customers quality café lattes at all
STREAMER COFFEE COMPANY
1F, Miyagawa Bldg, 1-20-28 Shibuya,
Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Tel: 03-6427-3705
http://streamercoffee.com/
fe
i
L
e
e
ff
o
C
o
y
Tok
11
12
2012 April
2012 April
13
14
2012 April
2012 April
15
16
2012 April
2012 April
17
18
2012 April
2012 April
19
Cycling to work in Tokyo
apan
J
t
u
o
b
A
Talking
を
そ
話
A Con
う
ith Foreig
versation w
Cycling to work in Tokyo
●
n Residen
Guy Roberge
Sanae Okubo
William Hooper
ts
Interview
with Foreign
Residents
le
ree peop
h
t
e
s
e
h
T
!
eir views
h
t
d
e
r
a
h
s
Have you ever wondered how those super-hero-like colleagues manage to come to the office
in full cycling gear and sweat, change in an instant into a sharp business suit ready to negotiate
those big contracts, then when the day ends, they swirl around somewhere backstage and
suddenly appear at the front door again geared up in their super-costumes?
This seems to have become a growing trend in downtown Tokyo,
so JQR invited 3 cycling super-heroes to reveal their secrets.
Well, not too loud, please ….
JQR: What was the initial trigger to get
Sanae: Yes. But at first I rode my
you on the bike and go to work?
normal “mama-chari” (a simple shopping
bicycle) and it took me 1 hour to get to
how do you manage?
William: I used to cycle in England, but
work. She then took me to a store
it was miserable because the weather
nearby and I bought my first real bicycle.
was depressingly wet and cold. Later, I
Guy: The first of 4?
realized that commuting by train here
Sanae: Yes, that’s right.
was extremely unpleasant, you pick up
William: A friend of mine, who has 6
diseases very easily and cycling is
bikes, once gave me a tip: always buy
freedom! There aren’t many other
the same color, so your wife doesn’t
cyclists on the road, it really freshens
realize you have so many!
you up and ... I haven’t had a cold for 5
All: LOL!
years.
Guy: I also wanted to get fitter. To me,
Sanae: Well, yes, my hatred of the
cycling is an easy way to get healthy
morning trains was the main trigger.
wherever you go. Plus you don’t need to
was that discovery that got me on my
All: Oh yes!
fiddle with public transport schedules.
bike.
Sanae: A German woman at work told
You are always free. So I started to use
me she went home by bike every night. I
my bike to work too.
William: I used to wash in the lavatories
never thought that by “bike” she actually
William: Another huge factor is whether
meant “bicycle,” as to me it would have
your firm has showers.
been too scary for a woman to cycle on
Guy: Yeah!
the road at night. But what a surprise
20
hot and humid summers here in Tokyo,
when I saw her downstairs at the door.
JQR: That’s what I was about to say,
Language mistake!
yes it’s healthy, yes you are free, yes
William: That convinced you?
you avoid crowded trains, but with the
2012 April
William: The winters are ok, but you
definitely need a shower in the summer.
JQR: But not all companies have
showers. What do you do?
William: Well we chose companies that
have showers!
All: LOL!
Guy: When I joined my company I
didn’t know there were showers, but it
and my CEO would walk in.
JQR: So it’s a limited luxury?
Guy: You can also come earlier when
it’s a bit cooler.
William: And go to a sports gym.
Guy Roberge
From Canada, he has been living in Tokyo for 8
years, has been into cycling for 4 years, and has
been commuting from his home in Meguro to work
in Akasaka for 2 years.
Sanae Okubo
William Hooper
Japanese from Hokkaido, she’s been cycling to
work for almost 9 years, about 10 km each way.
She has four bicycles and neither snow nor stormy
weather will stop her.
From the UK, where bad weather stopped him from
commuting by bike. He has found paradise in
Tokyo and has been cycling to work since around
2000.
2012 April
21
Cycling to work in Tokyo
William: That’s really dangerous and
William: I leave my suit at work and
William: And you don’t get creases in
William: No way!
the police don’t do anything about it.
just bring a clean shirt with me.
Guy: Not for that distance, and it
Guy: But overall, it is manageable.
JQR: So you wear the same suit every
your underwear …
Guy: LOL!
JQR: And how about bad weather?
JQR: Many big cities around the world
William: Well, it does get dry-cleaned
routes. How do you think Tokyo should
occasionally!
Sanae: As I grew up in Hokkaido and
Sanae: When I cycle to work, it clears
improve in that direction?
All: LOL!
had to go to school by bicycle even in
my head and I can concentrate the
William: But your suit suffers when you
snow storms, I have no problem with
second I get to my desk. If you commute
commute by train.
riding in bad weather.
by train, you’re just sleepy in the
William: You cycle during the typhoon
morning.
build cycling paths in Tokyo.
JQR: It’s ok for men, you can wear the
season?
William: Yes, I get the most creative
sidewalk, which is very dangerous and
same thing every day, but surely it’s
Sanae: Yes. That season is so hot and
time of the day during my ride to work.
you can’t ride fast. A lot of them are
another story for women?
humid, so I really want to avoid the
Sanae: Yes, it clears your brain. On my
trains.
way home, I forget all my work stress
As long as you can ride on the road with
Sanae: I carry my clothes and makeup
Guy: Yuck! It’s so sticky and humid.
and worries and am relaxed when I get
the cars, I don’t mind not having cycling
bag every day in a small 20-liter pack. I
I think I should buy a better bike to ride
home.
paths.
also choose light, non-wrinkle clothes.
in the rain.
Sanae: A mountain bike is better.
Sanae: Another difficulty is delivery
vans, especially in front of convenience
JQR: Do you need special gear?
have in case of an earthquake. I was
employees from commuting by bike. My
quite scared of the radiation and have a
husband tried it but he was stopped.
full-face military gas mask, and thought
people would laugh at me. But I put it on
JRQ: Is that because of insurance?
anyway and then people looked at me
with big shocked eyes!
Sanae: Yes. Work insurance covers
Guy: No, just a backpack to carry your
JQR: Will this become a trend?
Guy: I have a proper road bike, so I
JQR: Very clever.
avoid the rain to keep it in good
Guy: Well, if you live far from your
Sanae: Anyway, this bag is my body
condition.
company then it’s mostly impossible.
protection in case of an accident!
William: I don’t cycle in the rain, but
William: I would rather keep it a secret
here you can predict when it will rain
so the roads don’t get crowded.
and anyway there are maybe only 10 to
All: LOL!
15 days a year that I don’t ride my bike.
William: It’s terrible. Don’t do it!
stores and shops.
Japanese companies prohibit their
bike is the best.
Guy: Most I have seen are on the
also for both pedestrians and cyclists.
William: A bicycle is the best thing to
a bicycle that gets you nowhere! My
have set up cycling paths and specific
Sanae: The government has started to
Sanae: One other difficulty is that many
doesn’t get you to the office any quicker.
And I hate to go to the gym and ride on
day?
JQR: Like an airbag?
clothes.
Sanae: It’s TOO DANGEROUS!
Sanae: Exactly.
JQR: So how does it work? How do
Guy: Everything is about the folding. If
JQR: Would you trade your bike for a
you change?
you do it the proper way, your shirt will
car?
All: Ha ha!
be fine.
All: LOL!
you from your house to your office, so
you are only covered for safe public
JQR: Did you take a picture?
transportation.
Guy: Yes, under that law, you can’t use
William: No, but I looked terrifying.
Cycling to
work clears
my mind!
your own motorbike or car either.
William: Oh! So we’re not covered?
Guy: More than radiation, the main
All: No.
concern is pollution, as you are
it's my way
to stay fit!
surrounded by cars. You see some
JQR: People say that the big
people wearing full masks for protection.
earthquake last year has encouraged
Sanae: I wear a mask every day.
them to cycle to work.
Guy: But it’s too hot in summer.
Sanae: Still, it’s better for your health.
I avoid
crowded
trains!
William: Yes, on that day it was a huge
advantage to have my bicycle. Did you
JQR: Have you ever been injured on
have yours?
the streets?
Sanae: Yes, so I was able to go
22
through the traffic. But I was scared,
William: A car hit me once.
because I am smaller than everyone else
Guy: The fear is there. You have the
and one guy shouted at me in panic and
taxis stopping anywhere, pedestrians
I thought someone would push me and
crossing the street when they’re not
steal my bike.
supposed to ...
All: Wow!
William: The scariest ones are the
Guy: A lot of people were rushing into
cyclists riding on the wrong side of the
stores to buy bicycles. I was cycling too,
road, towards you!
but was happy that didn’t happen to me.
Sanae: Yeah!
2012 April
2012 April
23
24
2012 April
2012 April
25
26
2012 April
2012 April
27
QR 1
Quality Review
Sony XBA-4SL
stereo ear receiver
Sony XBA-4SL
An internal structure consisting of four
units in a cross configuration and a
combination of hard and soft materials
dampens excess vibration, allowing for
crystal-clear sound in the mid-andupper frequencies.
Photos: Satoru NaitoText: JQR
consists of four speakers covering
tweeter specializing in the top
different frequency ranges,
register transmits delicate sounds
installed in compact earbuds.
to this unit. The result is a
Most will wonder, is such a trick
sensation of being right on the
really possible?
spot listening to live sound. The
2012 marks thirty-three years
To achieve this, Sony first of all
vital lower registers are served by
since the advent of the Sony
developed a compact driver unit
two units, a woofer and super-
Walkman brought with it the
employing the same balanced
woofer. Because the XBA-4SL
freedom to enjoy music anywhere.
armature (BA) technology used in
can reproduce even the very
The Walkman made it possible for
hearing aids. Despite their
lowest tones, which were
people to live a lifestyle with
compact size, BA driver
unobtainable with previous in-ear
musical accompaniment, and
headphones provide superlative
headphones, listeners can savor
today there are many who spend
sound reproduction in the mid and
realistic sound not only with music
their whole day immersed in
high frequencies—including those
but also for things like movie
music.
used in voices—and Sony refined
sound effects and deep male
Since the birth of the Walkman,
the technology further to enable
voices.
headphones have been in a
sound to carry extremely well in
One thing is certain: the arrival of
constant state of evolution. Ideally
the middle register. Having thus
XBA-4SL headphones takes
they should offer audio quality on
done the groundwork, the
experiencing music to a whole
a par with live sound, but also be
company's next objective was to
new level.
comfortable.
develop BA driver units for the low
In its quest for these qualities,
and high frequency ranges. The
Sony has worked tirelessly over
successful mounting of these four
the years to improve its
units in the XBA-4SL allows each
headphone options. A milestone
to independently cover the
in this pursuit of aural excellence
frequencies for which it is best
has been the development of the
suited. The result is a smooth,
company's XBA-4SL stereo ear
intense sound experience across
receiver, which launched late last
all registers.
year.
Vocals and so on are reproduced
In simple terms, the XBA-4SL
by the main, or full range, unit. A
Top-quality headphones
featuring earpieces
with in-built quad speakers
The XBA-4SL comes with a
specially-designed leather case and
cord adjuster, plus earpieces (S, M,
L) with excellent sound insulating
properties in addition to the usual
hybrid earpieces (SS, S, M, L).
● Inquiries to Sony Shopping Desk　0120-777-886
28
2012 April
XBA-4SL RRP ¥30,975
2012 April
29
30
2012 April
2012 April
31
32
2012 April
2012 April
33
Japan and Me
VOI.
9
Zen and
five cats
Japan's post-tsunami state of mind
In the last few months Japanese bookstores have been
offering noticeably more books on the topic of bushido
(the “way of the warrior” philosophy of Edo period
samurai) and the lives of famous samurai, with volumes
dealing with the spiritual culture that dominated Japan
for over 250 years from 1600 to 1867. In line with this,
attention is turning once again to the book Zen and
Japanese Culture, penned by D. T. Suzuki in 1925.
Aimed at introducing Zen to the outside world, Zen and
Japanese Culture was an overnight sensation.
Even if they haven't read this book, every French
person knows that Zen is synonymous with serenity,
tranquility of mind, and an acute awareness of the
fleeting nature of life. It's not only the French: every
non-Japanese, including those who know virtually
nothing about Japan, understands that Japan and the
culture of Zen are inseparable. One could go so far as
to say that Zen is more highly valued outside of Japan
than in it. However, the vast majority of those
spearheading the modernization of Japan from the Meiji
Restoration (1867) onward attempted to sideline
Japanese culture in favor of all things Western. And
following its defeat in World War II in 1945, absorbing
the culture and technology of the American victors
became imperative for Japan. The end result was an
absurd glorification of mass consumerism, a culture in
which Descartes' “I think therefore I am” was replaced
by “I buy, therefore I am”.
Back to the future
But in recent years, vapid, facile pleasure of this sort
has begun to lose its luster. Times changed in two
stages, courtesy of two shocking events.
The first of these was the collapse of the “bubble
economy” in the 1980s. It was at this point that the
people of Japan, by then seemingly unable to survive
without expensive cars, luxury brand bags, and celebrity
hair stylist salons, realized that there was more to life
than material pleasure.
The second shock was the despair caused by the
sudden loss of 30,000 lives in the tsunami of March
11, 2011. This was swiftly followed by another blow in
34
2012 April
Francoise Morechand, Essayist
-The Modern is in the Traditional-
the form of what is now a permanent fear of radiation in
soil, water and foodstuffs. Not to mention widespread
unease at the possibility of another major quake. Since
March 2011, Japan has in fact been assailed by 6,500
earthquakes.
These tragic events have affected the Japanese at both
a conscious and unconscious level. Vital philosophical
questions have been revived. What is the meaning of
life? What meaning should we endow our lives with?
We all have to die sometime. Having forgotten this fact
in the decades since the end of the war, the Japanese
are now sensing the need to embrace values that offer
refuge when times get tough.
These values will not necessarily be identical to those
of people in the West, educated in accordance with
Judeo-Christian tradition. Western values were brought
to Japan along with Western culture, but are not
necessarily compatible with the Confucian-influenced
Japanese system. The shock of the tsunami made the
Japanese people aware of the importance of revisiting
values that existed in Japan before the country threw
open its doors to the outside world. Take for example
the Shinto belief system, which has a strong animist
element. According to Shinto, gods are present
everywhere in nature, and so great importance is
attached to nature. Both Buddhist and Zen thought
were influenced by this peculiarly Japanese spiritual
climate, with its strong links to the natural world, and
this led to the idea of transience, the evanescent
character of both things and people.
In this context, it seems only natural that D. T. Suzuki's
book, preaching Zen philosophy, should suddenly
garner so much attention.
An episode Suzuki writes of in his book illustrates the
samurai mindset, and offers a model of authentic Zen
thought.
Long ago in Japan there was a samurai by the name of
Shoken. Shoken had one major concern: a very large
and rather ferocious rat that was gnawing at everything
it could find in his house.
Shoken ordered his pet cat to deal to the rodent, but
after taking one look at the beast, it fled with a
frightened howl. Shoken then decided to enlist the aid
of neighborhood cats that were reputed to be brave and
skilled at rat-catching. However, all of them beat a
hasty retreat after facing the monster rat. Shoken next
decided to chase the rat around himself, brandishing
his sword. But darting left and right, it managed to
escape the falling blade every time.
As a last resort, Shoken called for a cat renowned for
its amazing powers as a rat-catcher. When the cat
turned up, it looked no different than any other, and
Shoken harbored little expectation of success. Slowly
and quietly, feigning nonchalance, so to speak, the cat
entered the room where the rat was hiding. Seeing this
calm and self-possessed feline, said rat was overcome
by fear, and froze on the spot. A few seconds later, the
cat took the rat in its mouth and exited the room.
That night, all the cats gathered at Shoken's house,
and asking their successful comrade to take the seat of
honor, said, “O great cat, we all tried but failed. Tell us
the secret of your triumph!”
The great cat replied, “What you have all learned is
technique. Your minds are consciously planning how to
bring down the enemy. But even taking technique as far
as it will go, what do you achieve? Skill involves using
the brain; pay all your attention to it and you will lose
the “way”, the main thread. Nor can you bring down a
rat purely through the power of your spirit. As the
saying goes, the worm will turn: a cornered rat will
attack a cat. A rat that has been chased into a corner
and has nothing to lose will beat a cat through sheer
spirit. Nor can you use the technique of tempering your
own heart (spiritual strength), enveloping the enemy in
gentleness until there is no enmity left in them, because
the conscious effort to embrace the other person works
to your disadvantage. Just as a river flows inevitably to
the sea, one must transcend consciousness to reach a
natural state.”
Polishing up one's skills, attaining spiritual fulfillment,
and fine-tuning one's heart (spiritual powers) to reach
the edge of “selflessness” where there is no awareness
of self: this is the spirit of the samurai that lies behind
Zen.
Francoise Morechand (Fashion essayist)
Born 1936 in Montparnasse, Paris. Came to Japan in 1958 after studying Japanese at the Sorbonne. Worked as a teacher on NHK's Tanoshii Furansugo
French language education series, and lecturer in French at Ochanomizu Women's University, before returning to France in 1964. Came to Japan again in
1974 to manage Chanel's beauty department there. With a career spanning French teacher, TV “tarento”, writer, and fashion coordinator, in 2004
Morechand's longstanding contribution to Franco-Japanese cultural ties was recognised by the French government with the awarding of the Légion
d’honneur. Visiting professor at Kyoritsu Women's University. Overseas trade advisor to the French government. North Asia representative for the Conseil
Supérieur des Français de l'Etranger (CSFE). International advisor to the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa. Ishikawa Prefecture
tourism ambassador.
Yasuko Sensyu (Illustrator)
Leading creator of adorable “healing art”. All her work, starting with calligraphy employing her Level 7 calligraphic skills, and including her illustrations and
essays, is suffused with a warmth that soothes whoever picks it up. Her diverse portfolio includes paintings for the interior of Le Comptoir de Benoit, chef
Alain Ducasse's first restaurant venture in Osaka; murals at the En-Japan head office, plus illustrating, brand logos, wall paintings and essays. She was
also responsible for the “Japan Trump” playing cards showcasing famous sightseeing spots nationwide (supported by the Japan National Tourism
Organization), extending this concept further across Asia with a sub-brand for the Singaporean tourism office, and Indonesian Trump cards.
http://www.sensyuyasuko.com/　2012 April
35
Sake to Drink From a Wineglass
In Praise
of
Fine Sake Vol.
11
Toshimaya Brewery
Address: Hon-machi 3-9-1, Okaya-shi, Nagano
Telephone: 0266-23-1123
http://jizake.miwatari.jp/
●
●
●
●
●
Alcohol content: 15%　● Seimaibuai (rice milling percentage): 39%
Nihonshu-do (Sake Meter Value + dry, -sweet): +2
Acidity: 1.4 ● Rice: Nagano Miyama-nishiki
Volume: 720ml
Price: 3,360 yen (tax inclusive)
Miwatari Junmai Daiginjo
Text/ Kaori Haishi (sake sommelier) Photography/ Susumu Nagao
The next issue will be released on
Friday April 6, 2012.
High Quality Sake With a
Regal Style
sake that will put a smile on people’s
good water and high-quality production.
faces. Youthful vigor infuses every step
The structure of its flavor can be
of its production, which is carried out
imagined as a light acidity enveloping a
Perhaps you’ve heard of o-miwatari (the
with the greatest of care. Miwatari and
core of high-class sweetness and
god's crossing) before? Occasionally it
Houka are two major brands from this
umami, a superb blending of the five
is mentioned on the news during the
brewery that are enjoying rising
palate tastes. The aftertaste has a slow,
winter months. O-miwatari is the word
popularity amongst younger sake
clean and pleasant finish to it which is
used to describe a serrated pressure-
drinkers, and are in high demand at sake
perfect in duration. Afterwards there is
ridge crack that runs across the frozen
events.
an indescribably lovely lingering acidity
surface of Lake Suwa in Nagano
Miwatari Junmai Daiginjo is at the top of
in the center of the palate.
prefecture. Local legend says that this
the range in this same series. It exudes
Drink this sake chilled or at room
natural phenomenon, which occurs
an air of class that heightens your
temperature, but don’t cool it too far if
during spells of severe winter cold, is
anticipation even before you open the
you want to make the most of its
the trail left by the Suwa-Taisha god
bottle. A gorgeous bouquet wafted up
richness. The best food to accompany it
when he crosses from a shrine on one
when I poured it into the glass. This
would be something simple and lightly
side of the lake to the goddess in the
heavenly aroma is a characteristic of
seasoned. I recommend white fish,
shrine on the other. Miwatari sake is
sake that extracts the maximum
cooked not with soy sauce but instead
named after this legend. The Toshimaya
potential from the rice. Its round texture
simmered in sake, a popular method in
brewery aims to produce good local
on the palate conjures up an image of
Edo times.
2012 April
37