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無料 PRICELESS
Feb 6-19, 2015 Japan’s Nº1 English Magazine
www.metropolisjapan.com
GESTEESMOUARRT
TION
EDUCA IAL
SPEC
Back
to
Bublé
MARATHON
MAN
JACOB
STERNFELD’S
SECOND STRIDE
DANCE
REVOLUTION
TRAVIS PAYNE’S
NEW MOVES
MICHAEL
STARTS
ANEW IN
JAPAN
www.akaiclinic.com
Cosmetic Surgery
Laser Treatment
Skin Care
rejuvenate
yourself with
the best in beauty
technology
Quality of Akai Clinic
At Akai clinic, we only use products and technologies
approved by the FDA.
SURGICAL TREATMENTS
NON-SURGICAL TREATMENTS
• EYELID SURGERY rejuvenation of upper and lower eye
lid, tear trough, double eyelid surgery, blepharoptosis, etc.
• NOSE SURGERY tip plasty, hump resection, deviated
nose, ala reduction, augmentation or reduction
rhinoplasty.
• BREAST SURGERY augmentation, lift, reduction,
reconstruction.
• LIPOSUCTION WITH LASER ultra sonic assisted suction
device.
• LASER-LIPO minimal invasive facial and body
contouring device with AccuSculpt™ (1444nm laser).
• FACE LIFT forehead, brow, mid-face, neck lift, thread’s lift.
•TISSUE ENGINEERING TECHNIQUES for facial
rejuvenation, breast augmentation, AGA (PRFM, fat &
stem cell injection, growth factor.
• SKIN TUMORS skin cancer, cyst, mole, wart, scar
revision.
• GENITAL REJUVENATION SURGERY tightening of the
vagina, reduction of labia minor and augmentation of
the labia major.
• HAIR TRANSPLANTATION SURGERY
• LASER & REJUVENATION lasers, RFs, IPLs, plasma,
Ultra Sound for wrinkle, sagging, drooping, open pores,
rosacea, skin complexion, pigmentation, melisma with
SOLARI, Aurora-Pro, INFINI, eCO2, Affirm, EndyMed,
Portrait Plasma, SPECTRA, AccuSculpt, etc.
• BOTOX & FILLERS allergan’s BOTOX, Juvederm,
Radiesse etc.
• ACNE & ACNE SCARS PLASMA fractional lasers (eCO2,
Affirm), INFINI (fractional RF), iClear (photo dynamic
therapy), microdermabrasion, chemical Peeling.
• LASER HAIR REMOVAL all kinds of lasers available:
Alex and long pulsed YAG, diode laser, etc.
• TATTOO REMOVAL with Spectra (Q-YAG laser) for any
color of tattoo.
• CELLULITE, BODY CONTOURING & STRETCH MARKS
cVela Smooth and EndyMed body (FDA Approved).
• LEG VEIN, BROKEN CAPILLARY long Pulsed YAG or
VenoCare.
• RHINOLIGHT hay fever, Allergic Rhinitis.
• SKINOLIGHT psoriasis, Alopecia Areata, Vitiligo,
Atopic dermatitis.
DR. HIDEMI AKAI
is a board-certified plastic
surgeon and an associate
professor of the
department of plastic,
aesthetic and
reconstructive surgery at
Tokyo’s Showa University.
Dr. Akai trained at
Harvard Medical School
and Massachusetts
General Hospital before
amassing over twenty-five
years of experience.
DR. KEIKO AKAI
is also a board-certified
plastic surgeon, and a
dermatologist.
The Akai Clinic offers a
range of
cosmetic-surgery
procedures, laser
treatments and skin care,
using state-of-the-art
equipment and the latest
techniques.
Additional fee for anesthesia is required. Please contact the clinic for more information.
Other cosmetic procedures available. For fees and detailed information services, please refer to our homepage.
We welcome email and phone inquiries.
Omotesando
KNK Bldg 3F 3-5-17, Kita-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo.
1-min walk from Omotesando stn, A3 exit.
Tel: 03-5771-4114 Email: [email protected]
Clinic hours: 11AM~8PM (Mon~Sun)
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon and Dermatologist
Yokohama
Quadrifoglio 4F 5-14 Kinkocho, Kanagawa-ku, Yokohama.
1-min walk from Yokohama stn, North East exit.
Tel: 045-620-5745 Email: [email protected]
Clinic hours: 11AM~7PM (Tue~Fri) & 10AM~5PM (Sat & Hol)
inside
FEB 6-19, 2015 • #1089
EDITOR’S
LETTER
The first month of 2015 closes with the sounds of Michael Bublé
blaring through our editorial speakers as we write about the crooner—while our designers were hard at work Googling images of his
supermodel wife. If how one starts the new year sets the tone for
the rest of it, then we can only predict great things. If you’re in need
17
Fashion Twins: The art of exploring style—together
of inspiration, this issue provides it: Read about a teenager who’s
published her first book at 15, a man who quits smoking and finds
new life as a marathon runner, or a Grammy-winning crooner starting
over again in a new country. Or treat yourself to some great shows
around town. Life is short, after all—as you’ll see in our Last Word.
18
An Illustrated Life: Christine Mari Inzer’s Japan journey
22
Trio Siblings: Kitty, Daisy & Lewis make music family
Cover design: Kohji Shiiki; Cover photo: Live Nation Japan
GET PRINTED!
IN FOCUS
SEND IN YOUR BEST WINTER PHOTOS FOR OUR FEB 20 ISSUE. DEADLINE JAN 13.
metropolisjapan.com/focus
Isshiki, Kyoto by Robert Kirsch • robertkirsch.net • instagram.com/robertkirsch
Search over 30 million photos
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03
upfront
LINGOIST
SHOPPING STRATEGY
With Valentine’s Day fast approaching, those of you in a relationship may
be gearing up to impress your significant other on the big day of love, or
what others might rightfully refer to as Single Awareness Day. No matter
your status, buying the perfect gift (whether for others or for yourself) can
be tricky. But fear not, because Metropolis has you covered!
JP
EN
JP
EN
JP
EN
Nani ka osagashi
desu ka?
How may I help you?
Present no yubiwa wo
sagashite masu.
I’m looking for a ring
as a gift.
Ichiban ninki nano wa
dore desu ka?
Which one is the most
popular?
Don’t miss an issue!
JP
123RF
EN
For the cost of postage get Metropolis on your
doorstep—and have ransom note material for decades.
Kochira nado wa
ikaga deshou ka?
What about this one?
http://metropolisjapan.com/subscription
M
for entio
FR n M
EE
e
AD trop
MI oli
SS s
ION
K
1
A
N
A
C
2
ま
R
3
D
THE RACE IS ON!
Groups of 4 or more can
compete with each other
6
7
A
Admission
B
Across
1. Circle
4. Teacher
5. Waterfall
7 .School lunch
8. Defective product
E
1 ticket (7 min)=¥2100, 3 tix=¥5200, 5 tix=¥7800
¥47,000
C
Solution:
A
B
C
D
E
ANSWERS AT meturl.com/kanacross
Metropolis Members Club
THIS WEEK’S WINNER!
Christophe DescottesGenon
February 2015 Membership Fee
won Two Nights’ Hotel Accommodation
incl Breakfast in Kobe courtesy of Hotel the b
UPCOMING PRIZE
One lucky MMC member will win a 50-minute
golf lesson courtesy of Cool Clubs
Register for prizes & discounts
www.metropolis.co.jp/club
04
S
Down
1. A blink
2. Dementia
3. A foreign country
6. Cucumber
4
5
O
S
TO-DO LIST
3
TOP
valentine’s day events
UNTIL MAR 1
UNTIL FEB 14
UNTIL MAR 15
Enjoy a romantic night at Hakkeijima Sea
Paradise with 4-D projection mapping
entertainment, cocktails and more. Until Mar 1,
from 4:45pm, ¥6,000 (special lovers’ night pass
for couples). Yokohama Hakkeijima Sea Paradise.
Hakkeijima. Tel: 045-788-8888. www.
seaparadise.co.jp/english
Purchase unique and delicious chocolate for your
family, friends and significant others, such as
chocolate-covered apples and chocolate-flavored
shochu. Until Feb 14, 10am-9pm, free. Ikspiari.
Maihama. Tel: 047-305-2525. http://j.mp/
ikspiarichocolat2015
Celebrate in the air at Tokyo Skytree, which
will be lighted in special chocolate-inspired
colors. Until Mar 15, 8am-10pm, ¥620-2,060
(observation deck entrance fee). Tokyo Skytree.
Oshiage or Tokyo Skytree. Tel: 0570-550634. www.tokyo-skytree.jp/en
Aqua Night Lovers
Marché de Chocolat
Lovers’ Tokyo Skytree
FEB 7-MAY 24
Photo courtesy of Alive
EDITOR’S PICK FEB 24
INTIMATE
IMPRESSIONISM
FROM THE NATIONAL
GALLERY OF ART,
WASHINGTON
FEB 8-28
PHOTOGRAPHER
HAL: ?
DOT HACKER
LA outfit Dot Hacker are perhaps best known for the membership of guitarist
Josh Klinghoffer in the Red Hot Chili Peppers. But the quartet’s atmospheric
meditations are worlds away from the Chilis’ funk-tastic explosions. The band
(named after one member’s grandma) debuts in Tokyo courtesy of crowd-funding
site Alive, which conducted a winning campaign on their behalf. Dan Grunebaum
Feb 24, 7pm, ¥5,000 (adv)/ ¥5,500 (door). Tsutaya O-Nest. Shibuya.
Tel: 03-3462-4420. http://dothacker.org
Ever since Photographer Hal started
taking pictures at the age of 20, he
has been capturing images that make
him go “?”. This exhibition gathers
all of these photos and attempts to
display Photographer Hal’s personal
point of view in a society flooded by
information. Feb 8-28, 11am-7pm.
Closed Sun, Mon & hols. Free. Gallery
Tosei. Shin-Nakano. Tel: 03-33807123. http://j.mp/hal2015
Featuring works by Renoir, Manet, Monet
and others chosen by Ailsa Mellon,
daughter of Andrew Mellon, founder of
the National Gallery of Art, Washington.
Feb 7-May 24, 10am-6pm (until 8pm on
Fri). Closed Mon. ¥1,400 (adv)/ ¥5001,600 (door). Mitsubishi Ichigokan
Museum, Tokyo. Tokyo.
Tel: 03-5405-8686. http://mimt.jp/
english
Pierre-Auguste RenoirPicking Flowers
1875,oil on canvas. National Gallery of Art, Washington,
Alisa Mellon Bruce Collection
Photo by Rodger Sonomura
Photo by John Michael Fulton
FEB 19-22
FEB 12
MAR 14-15
TANGO FIRE
A mind-blowing fusion of Argentine tango and live music. Mar
14, 2 & 7pm; Mar 15, 2pm, ¥4,800-8,800. Tokyu Theatre Orb.
Shibuya. Tel: 0570-00-3337. www.tango-fire.com
BANKS
American singer-songwriter dubbed
as an “Artist to Watch” by FoxWeekly.
Feb 12, 7pm, ¥6,000. Liquidroom.
Ebisu. Tel: 03-3499-6669.
http://j.mp/banks2015
A FLEA IN HER EAR
A comedic bedroom farce by Georges Feydeau. Set in 1960s
Paris, a conservative housewife is determined to expose
her husband’s infidelity at the Hotel Coq d’Or—but the plan
backfires amid a saga of mistaken identities and revolving
beds. Feb 19-20, 7pm; Feb 21, 1 & 7pm; Feb 22, 3pm,
¥2,500-4,000. Echo Theatre Ebisu. Ebisu.
http://tokyoplayers.com
05
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION EDUCATION
language
WEBSITE
COURSES
• General Course (1-2 years): ¥720,000-1,380,000
• Special University Advancement Prep Course
(1 year): ¥770,000
• Business Employment Course (1 year): ¥770,000
• Short-Term (3 months) ¥150,000
• All courses include textbook fees
6-39-12 Higashi Nippori, Arakawa-ku
03-3806-6102
Mon-Fri, 9am-6pm, closed Sat-Sun & hols
Nippori or Mikawashima
[email protected]
www.akamonkai.ac.jp/english
AKAMONKAI
Akamonkai Japanese Language School has two campuses and eight dormitories
located around Nippori in Tokyo. Boasting approximately 1,200 students from over
45 different countries, Akamonkai offers a wide range of classes for various levels.
From special university prep courses to business employment classes and short-term courses, no matter your
goal or level they’ll help increase your Japanese ability in the most efficient way possible. In recent years, the
college prep and business employment classes have developed into a specialized and customized curriculum
that adapts to each student’s changing needs. Full support is provided from the day students enter school
to the day they graduate. The caring faculty at Akamonkai is dedicated to helping all students achieve their
Japanese goals, and they look forward to meeting talented global thinkers just like you!
Nippori
WEBSITE
SPECIAL OFFER
• Free registration for Metropolis
readers (a ¥10,800 value)
COURSE
• Group Intensive Course Mon-Fri, 10-11:30am or
1:30-3pm (¥36,720 for 20 lessons)
Toranomon
22F Toranomon Kotohira Tower,
1-2-8 Toranomon, Minato-ku
03-3504-8080
Toranomon
[email protected]
ALPHA
LANGUAGE
INSTITUTE
Yokohama
4F Yasda-1 Bldg, 2-21-8 Tsuruyacho, Yokohama
045-316-8282
Yokohama
[email protected]
www.alpha.ac.jp/japanese
Established in 1987, Alpha Language Institute is legendary for its direct method
of teaching. Intensive group, one-on-one and Skype lessons are tailored to your
particular needs, and all classes are taught by licensed teachers. For busy folks,
the teacher can also visit your office or home. Two locations in Tokyo—Toranomon
Toranomon
and Akasaka—provide convenient access, while the Yokohama school is situated in
and Yokohama
the beautiful neighboring bayside city. The school organizes three parties per year,
providing plenty of opportunities to mix, mingle and practice your language skills. Choose Alpha now and
take advantage of some fantastic limited-time offers. Group lessons cost less than ¥2,000 for 90 minutes.
One of the best, most reasonable schools in Tokyo. Understanding Japanese will add richness to your life,
and Alpha Language Institute can help you achieve this goal. Get in touch for your free trial lesson.
WEBSITE
COURSES
• Intensive Course with flexible duration
• Private Lessons with a customized curriculum
2-14-7 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku
03-3409-0391 (Shibuya)
03-5348-7671 (Shinjuku)
045-312-5759 (Yokohama)
Mon-Fri, 10am-6pm, Sat, 10am-4pm,
closed Sun & hol
Shibuya, Shinjuku or Yokohama
[email protected]
http://en.arc-academy.net
06
ARC
ACADEMY
Students from more than 40 countries study at ARC Academy, and lessons are held
entirely in Japanese. You might wonder how this is possible when you hardly know
Shibuya, Shinjuku any Japanese, but you’ll soon realize that it’s not only effective but also fun as you
study with experienced teachers. The schools are conveniently located in Shibuya,
and Yokohama
Shinjuku and Yokohama, and offer various courses to meet students’ diverse
objectives. The Intensive Course is designed to help people at any level learn Japanese systematically,
focusing on speaking and listening. If you are too busy to attend a regular course every day, or if you have a
particular request, private lessons with an individualized curriculum are available. Whether you are looking
to develop basic conversational skills or business terminology, ARC Academy offers proven results. Friendly
teachers and staff welcome your inquiries by email, telephone or in person.
MORE SPECIALS ONLINE →
WEBSITE
SPECIAL OFFER
• Mention this ad for a free special kanji course
(8-10 classes, 50 min once a week)
COLLEGE OF
BUSINESS AND
COMMUNICATION
COURSES
• Three-month course: ¥197,500
• 2015 spring semester: Apr 10-Jun 24
• 2015 summer semester: Jun 29-Sep 16
22-9 Ekimae-Honcho, Kawasaki-ku, Kawasaki,
Kanagawa
044-244-3200
Kawasaki
[email protected]
www.cbcjpn.jp/english
College of Business and Communication (CBC) is a prestigious vocational
school renowned as a pioneer in language and business studies. Thousands of
its graduates have gone on to success both in Japan and internationally. Just
a one-minute walk from Keikyu Kawasaki station, the location is perfect for
Kawasaki
international students traveling to and from work or home. CBC’s curriculum is
designed to balance and improve reading, writing, listening and speaking skills. Those at an intermediate level
or higher can take courses to prepare for the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) N1 and N2, as well
as courses in useful business Japanese. CBC also provides special kanji classes. Three-month and six-month
courses are held for 22 hours a week. Students taking long-term courses receive commutation passes or
discounts for long-distance JR tickets, and the school can help change your visa status to a college student visa.
For details, please feel free to call or email the friendly, multilingual staff.
WEBSITE
COURSES
• Registration fee: ¥10,000*
• Tuition (2 days/week): ¥18,000*
• Tuition (3 days/week): ¥30,000*
• Tuition (intensive course): ¥60,000*
*Plus tax
Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT)
N1, N2, N3, N4 Saturday course
(2015 July term student visa registration open now)
1-21-18 Yutenji, Meguro-ku
03-3713-4958
Mon-Fri, 9am-7pm, Sat, 10am-6pm
Yutenji
[email protected]
www.evergreen.gr.jp
EVERGREEN
LANGUAGE
SCHOOL
Evergreen Language School is located in the quiet residential area of Yutenji, just three
stops from Shibuya on the Tokyu Toyoko line. Established 66 years ago, the school has
seen more than 50,000 students from around the globe pass through its classrooms.
Evergreen strives to create effective, enjoyable classes to help students learn both
Yutenji
the language and culture of Japan. Private lessons allow you to choose special
materials, and group classes offer the opportunity to learn Japanese while meeting people from all over the
world. Evergreen also has an intensive kanji course, lessons designed to prepare you for studies at a Japanese
university and courses that will prepare you for future career interviews. Friendly and professional teachers help
you build confidence while laying the groundwork for continued learning. Evergreen operates in Jiyugaoka on
the Toyoko line and can even dispatch teachers to your home or company, which means fewer excuses not to
make 2015 the year you conquer the Japanese language!
WEBSITE
SPECIAL OFFER
• Free level check
COURSES
• Regular course (student visa available)
• Preparatory course
• Practical Japanese course
• JLPT N1-N4 preparation courses
• Business Japanese course
• Short-term intensive course
7F Waseda Yobiko Bldg, 4-9-9 Takadanobaba,
Shinjuku-ku
03-5348-8951
Mon-Sat, 9am-6pm
Takadanobaba
[email protected]
http://hajl.athuman.com/e/
HUMAN
ACADEMY
Since the Human Academy Japanese Language School founded its Tokyo classroom
in 1991, thousands of its graduates have gone on to use Japanese in their work
and daily lives. The goal of HAJL is not only to teach Japanese, but also to help
Takadanobaba
individuals use their language skills to create a bright, new future for themselves.
It’s the school’s mission to help students attain the skills and tools necessary to navigate life in Japan—and
beyond. With this in mind, HAJL offers classes that are not only easy to understand, but also engaging
in a way that encourages involvement rather than generating boredom in the classroom. Many of the
school’s successful graduates have gone on to pass the JLPT and enter universities as well as graduate and
vocational schools. So why not join Human Academy and start your own voyage beyond basic Japanese?
07
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION EDUCATION
language
WEBSITE
COURSES
• Registration fee: ¥16,200
• Ten-week group course in January, April, July
and October: ¥145,800
• Private courses: Please contact for prices
701 Valore Bldg, 2-3-15 Kichijoji Minami-cho,
Musashino-shi
0422-47-7390
Mon-Fri, 9am-7pm, Sat, 9am-1pm
Kichijoji
[email protected]
www.klschool.com
KICHIJOJI
LANGUAGE
SCHOOL
If you’d like to study Japanese in a truly fun, personalized and dedicated environment,
look no further than Kichijoji Language School. Each day, you’ll have the opportunity to
practice Japanese with friendly teachers and fellow classmates, making your language
study enjoyable and exciting. With a solid curriculum and highly experienced teachers,
Kichijoji
Kichijoji Language School strives to support each student’s individual learning style.
With various course levels, advanced electives and private lessons, you have the ability to choose the
course that’s just right for your needs. At KLS, group courses consist of eight classes, ranging from everyday
conversation to academic and advanced-level communication. Private lessons help clarify points learned in
class and are tailored to your particular needs and interests. Enjoy learning Japanese at a school known for
its cozy “at-home” atmosphere that encourages students to ask any question and voice their comments freely.
WEBSITE
COURSES
• Kindergarten
• Nursery school
• After school care
• Primary education
• Enrichment classes
• Multicultural exchange circle
37-1 Tsutsumine, Kawasaki-ku, Kawasaki
044-233-3970
Mon-Fri, 8am-6pm (half-day program 9:30am 2pm, full-day program 8:30am-5:30pm)
Kawasaki
[email protected]
www.kincarn.com
KINCARN
INTERNATIONAL
SCHOOL
Kincarn International School does more than simply educate its pupils;
it aims to teach kids who will go on to secure peace on earth. The
school’s calm and enriching environment is born of a reputation for
dependability and stimulating education. The fun, age-appropriate and
Kawasaki
engaging curriculum prepares students aged 2 to 6 for entry into wellknown international and private schools in the Kanto area. Kincarn combines a kindergarten, a nursery
school, enrichment classes, after-school care, primary education, a multicultural exchange circle and an
international school. Energetic, individually-focused, structured courses focus on international themes
and teach kids to take initiative. Equal emphasis is placed on Japanese and English to help children
become truly bilingual.
WEBSITE
SPECIAL OFFERS
• Free level-check interview
• Free trial lesson
COURSES
• Regular program (5 days/week)
• Part-time program (1 or 2 days/week, early
mornings, mid-mornings, evenings and
Saturdays)
• Private lessons (custom-tailored)
1-21 Yotsuya, Shinjuku-ku
03-3359-9600
Mon-Thu, 9am-7:30pm, Fri, 9am-5pm
Yotsuya
[email protected]
www.nichibei.ac.jp/jli
08
NICHIBEI KAIWA
GAKUIN
If you’re keen on studying practical or business Japanese, Nichibei Kaiwa
Gakuin Japanese Language Institute (JLI) is the place to be. At the basic level,
you’ll practice intensive drills for practical conversation. At the intermediate
Yotsuya
and advanced levels, more sophisticated conversation and speech drills are
an essential part of the program. Newspaper articles, TV news and JLPT preparation—as well as Japanese
corporate-culture studies—are also covered. Students include business people, corporate trainees, diplomats,
family members of working expats, spouses of Japanese nationals and more, all with various cultural
backgrounds. Founded in 1967 by the International Education Center (IEC), JLI is conveniently located in central
Tokyo, a three-minute walk from Yotsuya station. In addition to Japanese lessons, IEC provides a variety of
international exchanges, such as the International Speech Contest in Japanese which is backed by the Foreign
Ministry and broadcast on NHK. IEC is now accepting applicants for the contest (see JLI’s site for further details).
MORE SPECIALS ONLINE →
WEBSITE
新宿日本語学校
SINCE 1975
SHINJUKU JAPANESE LANGUAGE INSTITUTE
COURSES
• Weekdays
• Sundays
• Evenings
• Textbook provided free for the first term
2-9-7 Takadanobaba, Shinjuku-ku
03-5273-0044
Weekdays, 9am-5pm, weekends, 9am-3pm
Takadanobaba or Nishi-Waseda
[email protected]
www.sng.ac.jp/english
SHINJUKU
JAPANESE
LANGUAGE
SCHOOL
Visualize your Japanese. Now with 40 years in Japanese language and cultural
education, the government-approved Shinjuku Japanese Language School (SNG)
provides students a unique learning experience through the Ezoe Method. Variouslyshaped and colored cards represent the different parts of Japanese grammar,
allowing students to speak confidently, construct complex sentences and understand
Shinjuku
formal-informal speech. Courses range from total beginner to advanced, with various
specialized classes to suit your needs. SNG has also launched a new visual learning
program: Visual Learning Japanese. With VLJ, grammar is explained easily through corresponding videos and
online exercises. With additional access to SNG grammar and vocabulary applications, you can preview or
review lessons anytime, anywhere! This modern learning approach joins traditional classroom methodology
for a whole new experience in language acquisition. So why not visualize your Japanese with us!
WEBSITE
SPECIAL OFFER
• Bring Metropolis and receive ¥2,000 off tuition
COURSE
• General Study Course
• Task Challenge Course
• Special Focus Course
#603 Park Villa Kichijoji, 1-30-1 KichijojiMinamicho, Musashino-shi
0422-29-8365
Tue-Sun, 9am-8pm
[email protected]
Kichijoji
www.thisjls.com
THIS JAPANESE
LANGUAGE
SCHOOL
If you want to expand your life in Japan, try THIS Japanese Language School,
offering two different ways to learn Japanese. In the General Study Course
you’ll study with a textbook to strengthen your grammar, vocabulary and Kanji
knowledge, building a firm foundation that can be applied to your everyday
Kichijoji
life. In the Task Challenge Course, on the other hand, you go around town
together with a teacher or talk with Japanese guests invited to class. This helps you learn to handle city
life and to express yourself in Japanese. They can also help you with job-hunting or any special needs
through the Special Focus Course. School events are organized regularly, so you can try many different
activities together with other people. Visit THIS Japanese Language School for more information and a free
40-minute trial lesson.
WEBSITE
SPECIAL OFFER
• Say you saw this ad in Metropolis and get free
registration
COURSES
• Registration fee: ¥10,800
• Group lessons: From ¥41,080/month
• (Course materials fee not included)
• Private lessons: From ¥3,402/hr
• Student visa course: ¥380,000/6 months or
¥660,000/1 year
2-2-9 Okubo, 22 Sankyo Bldg 3F, Shinjuku-ku
03-5287-5636
Shin-Okubo or Higashi-Shinjuku
[email protected]
www.unitas-ej.com
UNITAS JAPANESE
LANGUAGE SCHOOL
Founded in 1983 by the Teikyo University Group, Unitas Japanese
Language School is just a ten-minute walk from Shin-Okubo station
or a three-minute walk from Higashi-Shinjuku station. All levels of
Shinjuku
students are welcome, from beginner to advanced, for group classes
(Mon-Fri, 9am-12:30pm or 1:30-4:30pm) and private lessons. Be sure to get exactly what you’re looking
for! Unitas also has highly competitive class fees. Group lessons start from just ¥41,080 per month. A
student visa course is available for ¥380,000.
For prospective students from Spain: Si estas con visado de turista y decides quedarte a estudiar, se
pueden realizar los tramites del cambio de visa sin necesidad de regresar a tu pais. Si tienes cualquier
duda, no dudes en preguntar, te asesoraremos en todo lo que necesites.
09
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION EDUCATION
culture
MORE SPECIALS ONLINE →
WEBSITE
SPECIAL OFFER
• Take a trial lesson for just ¥4,000
(includes all flower materials)
SERVICES
• One lesson takes about 60-90 min
• No admission fee
• ¥4,500 per lesson (includes all flower materials)
Setagaya 5-17-16-105, Kinuta, Setagaya-ku
Soshigya-okura
Yoyogi-uehara 1-25-7, Uehara, Shibuya-ku
Yoyogi-uehara
Roppongi 4F 5-3-2, Roppongi, Minato-ku
Roppongi
080-5099-4461
[email protected]
www.atelier-soka.com/english
ATELIER SOKA
IKEBANA Class Tokyo. Ikebana is the art of traditional Japanese flower arrangement,
but it isn’t just putting flowers in a vase. It’s a strong means of self-expression through
plants, the creation of a living sculpture from your own ideas and emotions that
reflects who you are. “When set in Ikebana, flowers cease to be just flowers. Flowers
become human.” You can learn this through one-on-one lessons with Mika, a certified professional teacher who
has been studying Ikebana for 26 years. There are 10 lesson days in a month at three locations: Setagaya, Yoyogiuehara and Roppongi. Choose the day, time and location that’s best for you. All tools are available in the classroom.
Just bring yourself! Trial lesson costs just ¥4,000 and includes all flower materials. Certificates and diplomas are
issued after completing the curriculum. Why not give this fantastic experience a try?
Roppongi, Setagaya,
Yoyogi-uehara
WEBSITE
EXPERIENCE DAYS
• ¥10,000 (1 art form)
• ¥15,000 (2 art forms)
• ¥18,000 (3 art forms)
• ¥20,000 (All 4 art forms)
ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP
• ¥15,000 enrollment fee
• ¥10,000 annual membership fee
• Starting from ¥3,990 per 90-min lesson
MONTHLY MEMBERSHIP
• ¥15,000 enrollment fee
• ¥10,000 monthly membership fee
• Starting from ¥2,000 per 90-min lesson
Koizumi Building 5F, Ginza 4-3-13, Chuo-ku
0120-666-107
Ginza
http://hisui-tokyo.com
HISUI
TOKYO
Hisui Tokyo provides the chance to learn and experience true Japanese culture
firsthand in the heart of Ginza. Under the supervision of highly-skilled specialists,
students can learn the traditional arts of waso (kimono), shodo (calligraphy), sado
Ginza
(tea ceremony) and batto (sword). The school offers both Experience Days for those
who would like a taste, as well as annual and monthly memberships with a full curriculum for the
serious learner. In particular, Hisui Tokyo offers an authentic batto course using real swords, giving
comprehensive instruction in the art of swordsmanship. Unlike some other schools, Hisui Tokyo allows
students the opportunity to not only draw, but actually cut. Whether you’re looking for a new hobby,
a way to explore your spirituality or simply want to relieve stress, anyone and everyone is welcome
regardless of experience. Enjoy complete, professional, friendly instruction at Hisui.
WEBSITE
PIANO COURSE
• Monthly Fee: From ¥15,390 for
45-min lessons, from ¥10,800 for 30-min lessons
• Admission Fee: ¥10,800
VIOLIN COURSE
• Monthly Fee: From ¥17,010 for 45-min lessons,
from ¥11,880 for 30-min lessons
• Admission Fee: ¥10,800
SPECIAL OFFERS
• Get a free Miyaji Instruments “Mois Card” when
you register! http://roommist.jp/item/moiscard.php
1F Sakura Terrace, Iidabashi Grand Bloom,
2-10-2 Fujimi, Chiyoda-ku
03-6261-5455 / FAX: 03-6261-5466
Iidabashi
[email protected]
www.miyajimusic.com/school/iidabashi
10
MUSIC JOY
IIDABASHI
“If I can freely play the sounds of the piano …” “If I can enjoy playing the violin …”
If you have such wishes, this is the music class to grant them. Skillful instructors
will provide you with complete individual guidance in English, taking advantage of
Iidabashi
performance experience from overseas. Lesson rooms are fully soundproofed and
instruments are neatly tuned. From beginners to experts, Miyaji Musical Instruments MUSIC JOY IIDABASHI
has lessons that are enjoyable and satisfying for everyone. Piano and violin courses both include 40
lessons per year, and you can choose from either 30-minute or 45-minute sessions. Make 2015 the year you
become a musical master!
cover story
bub l é
s
beg i n
The crooner
takes on Japan
BY MARTIN LEROUX,
INTERVIEW COURTESY OF
WARNER MUSIC JAPAN
12
m
Michael Bublé seems to have the world at his
fingertips. His baritone velvet voice and his signature jazzy style that exudes genuine adoration for the Rat Pack era have made the Canadian crooner a firm fixture in the world of pop
music. He’s also a dad, having welcomed a son
in 2013 with his wife, actress and supermodel
Luisana Lopilato.
However, Bublé says there’s still much to
accomplish—and his eyes are set on finding
success in Japan, where he returns for the first
time in eight years. The singer brings his To
Be Loved tour to Tokyo this February in style,
holding his first-ever big concert in Japan at the
historic Budokan.
“I’ve gone to Japan quite a few times, and
I’ve played in nightclubs and smaller things—
showcases for the record executives and radio
presenters,” Bublé divulges in a recent interview with Warner Music Japan, from his hometown of Vancouver. “But this is the first time that
Japan gets to see me in my atmosphere with
what I really do.”
Bublé has achieved superstar status in
North America, Europe and
Australia, and has earned a
reputation worldwide as the
present-day Sinatra. However, he states that Japan is
an important market that he
hasn’t yet tapped into.
“I’ve been really lucky in
so many countries all over
the world. But when I go to
Japan, I’ll be starting over
again. I’m trying to prove myself—which is tough on your ego,” he admits,
but continues that he doesn’t mind shifting
back to square one.
Familiarity is perhaps one reason he’s so
eager: Although a relative newbie in the nation’s music industry, Bublé maintains a relationship with Japan’s culture that goes back
to childhood.
“So many of my friends growing up were
Japanese; their mothers and fathers have emigrated from Japan to come here for different
opportunities. So the culture was something I
was very attuned to,” he says. “We call it Vancouver, ‘Japanada.’ That’s the joke we make,
because there’s so many Japanese [people].”
Given the connection, Bublé is determined
to put on a great show and leave his mark on
the stage made sacred by the likes of Cheap
Trick and Bob Dylan.
“What I do is take people away on a journey
for a few hours—it’s a rock show. It’s not what
they think—I’m not a jazz singer,” states Bublé,
adding that his performances fit neither the
slow nor sultry qualities many might associate
with him.
Furthermore, his shows are anything but predictable: Bublé’s all about keeping things fresh.
“Each concert is different,” he laughs, explaining that he improvises and tailors each
performance to audience reaction and energy.
“There are certain songs that I do, but there’ll be
many moments of the show that are completely
original, off-the-cuff, and I do that for myself as
much as I do that for the audience—because
these people deserve to see something original;
they deserve to see something special.”
Individuality is something Bublé strives for,
having had the bar raised high for him by his list
of musical heroes, of which he cites, naturally,
Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Bobby Darin—
as well as Elvis Presley, Michael Jackson and
Van Morrison. Among current artists, Bublé
also expresses admiration for Ed Sheeran.
“I’ve been very lucky because, in the last
few years, I got to collaborate with at least two
of them,” says the singer, who has shared the
studio with other musicians over the years, his
most recent being a duet
with Idina Menzel of Baby, It’s
Cold Outside, on the Broadway diva’s 2014 Christmas
album.
“The thing is, I’ve got to
work with people that I really
admire,” Bublé professes, referencing his collaborations
with Tony Bennett, Mariah
C arey and Barbra Strei sand—but he’s more excited
working with undiscovered talent. “For me,
it’s even more fun to work with people that no
one’s heard of, that I’m excited about.”
Throughout all his career highs, Bublé is
most grateful when he gets to perform.
“I try to really make myself present and to
live in the moment so I can enjoy what I’m doing
as much as possible—because I’m very lucky
to get to do what I do,” Bublé says with a smile.
“That part of my life is the part that is the
biggest reward for me: To stand in front of my
musicians, and to get to stand in front of thousands of people, and to do what I love, to laugh
with them, to sing with them—and to enjoy being alive.”
Michael Bublé: To Be Loved tour. 7pm, Feb 6.
Nippon Budokan.
13
food&drink
was rich yet not excessively salty.
The perfect finish was Le Coeur’s champagne mousse, which was pleasantly tart and
smooth, reminiscent of champagne cheesecake. They also have an incredible crème
brûlée and chocolate cake. All desserts come
with delicious, homemade vanilla ice cream. Try
pairing dessert with their sweet muscat wine.
As mentioned, seating is limited so making
reservations is advisable.
At around ¥5,000 for dinner and drinks, the
restaurant is quite reasonable for the food’s
superb quality. Le Coeur is a hidden gem that
fuses upscale fare with a low-key atmosphere
for a fresh dining experience.
7-9-5 Morinaga building 2F, Roppongi, Minato-ku. Tel: 03-6432-9688. Mon-Fri, 6-11pm,
Sat, 10:30am-11pm, Sun & hols 10:30am10pm. Closed Wed & every 2nd and 3rd Tue.
Roppongi. www.lecoeur-roppongi.jp/en/
lecoeur
DevilCraft Hamamatsucho now offers a weekend brunch service! A slight departure from their
famous Chicago-style pizzas, they instead focus
on American morning favorites like breakfast
burritos, waffles and their very own breakfast pizzas—all fresh and made-to-order! “Hoppy Hour”
prices apply to all craft beers, and a bottomless
coffee bar is also available. Plus, the cocktails—
including mimosas and Bloody Marys made with
DevilCraft marinara—are a must-try!
Risewell Bldg 1F, 2-13-12 Hamamatsucho, Minato-ku. Hamamatsucho. Tel: 03-6435-8428.
www.devilcraft.jp
Located in Shibuya, newly-opened restaurant
Sekkoku offers a unique pairing of gyukatsu (fried beef cutlet) with Japanese wine or
sake. Made with Australian beef, the cutlets
are coated with fine panko breadcrumbs and
fried in 210-degree oil for 30 seconds, so the
meat can be enjoyed rare. The restaurant is
non-smoking and the speedy preparation
makes for a perfect lunchtime menu (lunch
from ¥1,200).
Ryukō Bldg. 3F, 11-2 Udagawa-cho, Shibuyaku. Shibuya or Yoyogi-Kōen. Tel: 03-64525133.
There’s no need for a campfire to enjoy the
crunchy, chewy goodness of s’mores, thanks
to Blue Point in Shirokanedai, a restaurant that
fuses an American diner with a Spanish bar.
Named Otona no S’more (¥1,500)—s’mores
for adults, the set comes replete with marshmallows, chocolate, graham crackers and a
roaster specially ordered from the U.S. Dip
your s’more in the accompanying berry or
chocolate sauce, served on the side, for a fun,
zesty twist. Until end of March. 4-19-19 Shirokanedai, Minato-ku. Shirokanedai. Tel:
03-3280-2020.
RESTAURANT
¥¥¥¥
EN/JP
Le Coeur
BY AMANDA TAYLOR
14
Photos courtesy of Le Coeur
Le Coeur’s tagline, “casual champagne dining,”
perfectly sums up their unique atmosphere: This
French restaurant boasts all the sophistication
of fine dining contained in an intimate setting.
Though located just minutes from Roppongi
station, Le Coeur is tucked away in a backstreet,
on the second floor of Morino Building. Pay attention, as it’s easy to miss!
However, it’s this cozy location that gives
Le Coeur its charm. The dining room seats
twelve, and the bar, six. Sitting at the bar gives
diners a chance to chat up the staff, including
sommelier Madoka Ogiya, who speaks English
and had some excellent recommendations on
wine pairings.
For the best value, go
for the “Thank You” set
(¥3,900). This four-course
meal offers a variety of Le
Coeur’s fare, and comes
with a plate of three appetizers, a hashed-beef and
rice dish, your choice of a
main dish and dessert.
The food is beautifully
plated, and everything top
notch.
First comes a presentation of an assortment
of both hot and cold appetizers, from which
guests can choose three. The sea bass Carpaccio, herb-and-chicken sausage and cream-simmered escargot all were delicious. Most notably,
the tomato sauce served with the herb-chicken
sausage is light and pure. The escargot’s texture
is nice—soft but not springy, and the accompanying cream sauce is light but flavorful.
The chef’s specialty, hashed-beef
and rice, features beef stewed to tender
perfection in champagne for a remarkable ten days, rendering the beef savory
and sparkling-wine sweet.
The spirit of champagne dining is
present in the fish of the day, pan-simmered in white butter with champagne
reduction. The fish was cooked perfectly,
infused right through with champagne
flavor, topped with a butter sauce that
Enjoy gourmet steak, fish,
seafood and a selection of
world-class wines with a
superb skyline view.
Tokyo’s No.1 nighttime panorama
Fresh fish direct from Tsukiji market
High-quality Japanese steaks
Selection of high quality wines
from over 2,000 cellars worldwide
Party & wedding catering
English service & menu available
RECIPE
DARK ‘N’ LONELY
VALENTINE’S DAY DINNER
RECIPE AND PHOTO BY RIEKO SUZUKI
Feeling doomed watching commercials for sweet chocolates on Valentine’s Day? This quick dinner utilizing unsweetened cacao powder can
be just the right meal for a lonely stomach at Saint Valentine’s Feast.
Why is the recipe for two people, then? Just in case ... you know …
GRILLED CHICKEN AND VEGETABLES WITH MOLE SAUCE
41F Shiodome City Center Bldg, 1-5-2 Higashi Shinbashi, Minato-ku
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of
Yakult
Panasonic
Shiodome City Center
Nihon TV
Tower
Matsushita
Shiodome Eletric
tower
LUNCH:
Mon-Sun 11:30am-3pm (LO 1:30pm)
DINNER:
Mon-Sun 5:30pm-11:30pm(LO 9:30pm)
Online Reservation:
www.fish-bank-tokyo.jp
03-3569-7171
The best Sushi and
Yakitori Restaurant
in Aoyama.
Servings: For 2 people
• 2 chicken breasts
• 2 cups chopped carrot, onion and beans
• 2 pinches salt and pepper, to rub
• 1 tbs vegetable oil
Mole Sauce
• 2 tsp peanut butter
• 1/2 tsp red miso
• 20g dark chocolate (more than 70
percent)
• 1 tsp unsweetened cacao powder
• 120cc water
• 1 tsp salt
1. Rub salt and pepper on chicken breasts. On pan, heat vegetable oil
and cook chicken, skin side first.
2.On plate, shift chicken. In same pan, cook chopped vegetables and
place next to chicken.
3.In same pan, heat garlic and spice powder on low heat. Add tomato
sauce, consommé cube, water, peanut butter, red miso, cacao powder
and salt. Mix well to smoothen. Turn off the heat and add dark chocolate. Mix and melt chocolate completely.
4.Pour mixture on chicken.
Shibuya
DIRECTIONS
YAKITORI,SUSHI
Meiji ST.
• 1 tsp minced garlic
• 1 pinch each chili powder, cumin
powder and cinnamon powder
• 1 tbs tomato paste
• 1/2 consommé cube
HANAGAKOI
Shibuya P.O.
HIKARIE
a
yam
Ao
ST.
Roppongi ST.
Shibuya police station
B1 Diamond bldg
1-1-8 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku
Tokyo 〒150-0002
TEL 03-3498-3228
Lunch 11:30 ～ 14:00
Dinner 17:00 ～ 23:00
（L.O.22:00 Drink L.O.22:30）
GREEN SALAD WITH CACAO VINAIGRETTE DRESSING
Servings: For 2 people
• Fresh vegetables of your preference
• Dressing
• 1.5 tbs extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tbs white wine vinegar
• 1/2 tsp unsweetened cacao powder
• 1/3 tsp salt
• 1 pinch mustard power
• 1 pinch black pepper
DIRECTIONS
1. Combine dressing ingredients and mix well.
2.Pour on chilled fresh vegetables.
Rieko Suzuki
Rieko blogs bilingual recipes at
http://meturl.com/ruby
15
seven deadly sins 2014
FASHION CALENDAR
Beauty is in the eye
of the beholder, so
behold yourself at
your best! Sin Den
does pride proud!
FEB 4Have a Sweet Valentine’s Day
with Q-pot
Those still floundering for a
Valentine’s Day gift would do well
to look to ultra-cute accessory line
Q-pot, whose wearable chocolate
designs will outlast the real deal
you might be currently considering.
The Valentine’s collection is on
sale now, with prices ranging from
¥5,000 to ¥20,000 (plus tax).
www.q-pot.jp/shop
Sin Den
Hair Makeup & Nails
TEL03.3405.4409
SINDEN.COM
BOOK ONLINE NOW!
FEB 6X-girl meets Disney’s Bambi
Kawaii street label X-girl has
teamed up with Disney’s equally
cute Bambi for a capsule collection
that’s part of the brand’s “Blooming
X-girls” character mascot-focused
theme for the season. Set to hit
stores in early February.
www.x-girl.jp
FEB 7Barbie x Yummy Mart
Lingerie label Peach John’s subbrand Yummy Mart has a highprofile collaboration with Barbie on
the cards, in which the iconic doll’s
underwear choices are rendered
real, in a range of tube tops and
retro, high-waisted underwear. The
collaboration is exclusively on sale
in LaForet Harajuku from the 7th,
with some sets in limited runs as low
as 48. So if you want to play dressup as Barbie, move fast.
www.peachjohn.co.jp/yummymart
FEB 11-16
Versus Tokyo comes
to Isetan Shinjuku
Menswear fans take note: The best
of the scene is going to be plucked
out of their scattered and obscure
boutiques and briefly united in
Isetan Shinjuku for a limited shop
from Versus Tokyo. A total of 16
brands will be taking part from a
huge range of fashion genres. So
even if you just want to get a sense
of the scene, this is your chance.
www.isetan.co.jp
¥9,720 (¥8,100 for men).
FEB 14
Factory900 gets a Tokyo Base
The beyond-cool, futuristic
eyewear line is opening its “Tokyo
Base” flagship on the backstreets
of Harajuku. The proudly madein-Japan brand proposes what
the glasses of the future might
look like, as well as a couple of
down-to-earth models for those
who might not want to be liable for
stopping traffic.
www.factory900.jp
16
fashion fix
STUDYING FASHION
BY SAMUEL THOMAS, FASHION EDITOR
It’s fashion school graduation season in Tokyo: Expect to find
the class of 2015 frantically putting the finishing touches on their
final collections, braving their first appraisal beyond the walls of
their fashion institutions. For most, their graduation exhibition or
runway will be the last time they are ever seen as a designer in
their own right. Many will go to work for pre-established names
ON POINT
Tokyo Fashion Week might not be until
next month, but many of Japan’s more
international-focused designers have
already shown at Paris and Milan in
late January.
The old guard of Tokyo fashion were
out in full force. Yohji Yamamoto’s
eponymous brand showed that no one
understands “ma”—the space between
the body and clothes—quite like him. Rei
Kawakubo’s Comme des Garçons opts
for an exercise in mold-breaking construction, this time dazzling with a technique where conventional garments
were constructed in spiraling strips of
fabric, leaving even experienced patterers scratching their heads.
Elsewhere, the Tokyo underground
was well represented with Tatsuro Horikawa’s brand Julius, whose “Sphere”
collection captured hulking silhouettes
and a vision of a neo-Tokyo that could
have jumped off the pages of a cyberpunk manga. Meanwhile, Masanori
Morikawa’s Christian Dada went with
a 1970s California vintage-fashion mixtape that looked like it was built for the
backstreets of Harajuku—conveniently,
where the brand’s flagship is based.
“Avant-garde” is a term thrown around a bit
too liberally in fashion, but once in a generation, a designer comes along who personifies it. Yuima Nakazato is one such designer,
and though the overall post-gender look
may be the toast of the fashion elite, anyone
can get behind the technology the fearless
designer brings to his self-named brand. In
the past, he’s worked with holograms, 3-Dprinted panels and laser-cut fur into his designs. But even by his own heady standards,
he’s set the bar pretty high in his latest,
Spring/Summer 2015, which just hit retail.
STREET
FOCUS
Photo by Samuel Thomas
SHOPPING STRATEGY
as design assistants, patterers and so on. But for the select few
who shine, this is where it all begins.
Keep an eye out for the graduation shows from big schools such
as Bunka, Esmod and Vantan—and remember, if you’re inspired
to walk the path yourself, many of the aforementioned schools
now have fashion programs taught in English.
Having your own unique look is one thing, but it doesn’t have to stop there, with
a spate of Tokyo street fashion couples showing that fashion is best shared—
whether it’s strength in numbers that encourages risk-taking, or in the vein of
today’s exemplary fashion duos, dressing in identical outfits as “fashion twins”—
pairs explore the same visual theme together.
Titled “Concrete Jungle Survivor,” the collection takes its calls from the
urban landscape of Tokyo rather literally, featuring, as it does, a speciallydeveloped textile made of actual concrete. Beyond the cutting-edge
technology that binds stone with cloth, the concrete textile is then given
a dose of reality via a coating of graffiti before making its journey to be
worn on the streets of Tokyo.
For the intrigued who want to be on the frontline of street fashion, Fake
Tokyo in the heart of Shibuya is going to be your best Tokyo stockist.
17
city life
Photo courtesy of Christine Mari Inzer
DRAWN TOGETHER
Christine Mari Inzer illustrates her Japan experience
BY MARTIN LEROUX
I
n 2013, Christine Mari Inzer boarded a plane
that took the young author and illustrator
from her U.S. home state of Connecticut to
her other home, Japan. What had started
as a visit with her grandparents soon evolved
into an eight-week journey for the then-15-yearold to reconnect with her Japanese roots and
discover more of Japanese culture.
Rather than keeping diary entries, Inzer
chronicled her adventures in her maternal
home country as a series of charming comics
that encapsulate the experience. The comics
now make up the graphic novel Halfway Home:
Drawing my Way through Japan—her first book
published—which has earned praise from other
authors, such as Hope Larson, Lucy Knisley and
Robert Whiting.
Now 17, Inzer talks to Metropolis about cultural identity, art and home.
How did your decision to document your journey as a graphic novel come about?
I feel as though drawing my experience was
less of a decision and more of something that
came naturally to me. Art is the most natural
medium to express myself. Drawing is one of
my biggest passions, and I’ve been documenting my experiences with art since elementary
school; so it only felt right that I would make
Halfway Home a graphic novel.
When did you discover your passion for drawing?
I have been drawing since the day I learned
18
how to hold a pencil. It’s just something that I
have always loved to do. I guess I was lucky to
discover it at such a young age.
What were your first impressions upon
returning to Japan as a teenager?
When I returned to Japan, one of my first
impressions was how good the food was. From
fast food chains to convenience stores to ramen
shops—everything I tasted was absolutely delicious, and all for a shockingly low price. Back in
America, most people don’t trust cheap food,
with the assumption that it’s probably poorly
made. Japan is completely different.
People with multiple ethnicities identify
themselves in various ways. When talking
about your background, how do you identify
yourself as to other people?
While I identify myself as Asian American, when
asked about my background, I usually just tell
people that my mom is Japanese and my dad
is American. This is to avoid any confusion as
many Asian Americans have parents who are
both Asian.
How do you stay in touch with Japanese culture while in the United States?
My parents do a really good job of keeping
Japanese culture relevant in our home, whether
it’s through our monthly trips to the Japanese
supermarket or showing us old Japanese films.
Our bookshelves are full of books on Japan and
our kitchen has a drawer for chopsticks, so I
think Japan is a good part of the Inzer identity.
My mom also cooks Japanese food regularly,
which is a blessing.
What does “home” mean to you?
For me, a home is where you feel completely
comfortable and content, as if you could spend
the rest of your life there. I feel as much at home
at my grandmother’s house in Kashiwa as I do
at my real home in Connecticut.
What can we expect from you next?
Right now, as a high school senior, my main priority is getting into a good college and I haven’t
had much time to think about new art or writing.
However, now that I’ve published my first book
I feel a lot more confident about the process.
And I’ve received lots of positive feedback for
Halfway Home, so I’m definitely excited to write
another book. Stay tuned!
Halfway Home:
Drawing my Way
through Japan
is available in
paperback and for
Kindle at Amazon,
and in paperback
at Kinokuniya
Bookstore as well
as Barnes & Nobles,
Goodreads and
IndieBound online.
RUNNING
FOR LIFE
From heavy smoker to marathon man
BY MOMOKO MOCHIZUKI
To run and complete even one marathon—a physically and emotionally
grueling distance of 42.195km—is a
great feat. For Jacob Sternfeld, the
Tokyo Marathon coming up in February will qualify him to receive a “Six
Star Finisher Certificate,” awarded to
those who’ve completed the World
Marathon Majors of Boston, London,
Berlin, Chicago, New York City and
Tokyo. So it’s hard to imagine that, not
long ago, the now-dedicated runner
underwent quadruple bypass surgery. A lifetime of heavy smoking led to a heart attack, an experience that
motivated Jacob, who now never skips training—and has even inspired the
man who used to sell him cigarettes to quit smoking himself.
The simplicity of running is what appeals to Jacob, who explains how “you
only need your feet and your shoes and you can just go. No special skills
needed … you can potentially do it everywhere.” The level of commitment and
self-discipline needed to train for and run a marathon are great, but perhaps
even greater is the return. As Jacob explains, “Running a marathon is not a
victory over others but over yourself—you do it with others but for yourself.”
“Running,” he says, “has given me a focus, a satisfaction and strength
that I never knew I had.” It has also given him “a new way of discovering a
city or country,” and has brought opportunities to “[see] and [meet] people
from all over the world.”
Jacob calls the upcoming Tokyo Marathon the “crown jewel” of the World
Majors, not only because it will be his last, but also because he’ll be running it
with Dr. Michael Bowdish, “the only person who has ever touched [his] heart.”
Jacob inspired his heart surgeon “to get moving,” to compete in Ironman
70.3 triathlon races, and the Tokyo Marathon will be the first event they run
together. “I feel awesome,” says Jacob, “about running the marathon with
him … I hope we will get the chance to do even more races together.”
Jacob’s journey has touched many others, including his family, who have
“collectively lost hundreds of pounds of weight.” On witnessing Jacob’s
transformation, his wife Andrea says, “I am very proud … and feel like running
has transformed him into a person who is focused on his health, on others’
health and on learning about the sport and the body.
“I always tell Jacob,” she continues, “that the marathon is really run
before the race—it is the hard work and the perseverance that are the true
marathon. The glory is on race day, but showing up for the daily training is
the true test of character.”
“In some ways,” says Jacob, “there is no explanation for what I have done
and will continue to do. However, I want people to know that life is not over
after a heart attack or after half a lifetime of smoking and sitting on the couch.
Life is a search and I was able to find a path—much later in life—that inspired
me to change and share my transformation with others, with the hope that my
story will inspire people to set goals, move and feel good about themselves.”
Jacob is looking forward to an “unforgettable experience with [his] wife and
Dr. Bowdish,” and the chance to “meet Japanese people and [get] a deeper
feeling for the culture and the Japanese way of life.”
Those in the area on race day (February 22) can look out for Jacob wearing
a shirt with his name written in katakana—and don’t forget to cheer on the
countless other runners who have dedicated their time and effort gearing
up for the big race.
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19
movies
BY DON MORTON
featured movie
BEGIN AGAIN
Back in 2006, director John Carney
charmed our socks off with the lovely
Once, an Oscar-winning film (Best
Song) about a pair of Dublin street musicians helping each other find their groove. Now
he’s back with a bigger budget, name actors and a New York setting, but the theme
is the same. Keira Knightley plays a freshly dumped (by rock star Adam Levine) songwriter coerced by a friend into doing one personal, acoustic song in a noisy New York
club. She is almost completely ignored; the only one listening is a drunken, washed-up
music producer (Mark Ruffalo in a possible career best). In the film’s most magical,
memorable scene, her performance is replayed through his eyes, as his music man’s
imagination reawakens, rearranges the song and adds sidemen only he can hear.
Leery at first, she agrees to talk to this stumbling drunk, and the two begin a sort of
professional courtship that has the potential to bring both their lives back on track. This
unforced and unpretentious film offers good music, appealing characters and a story
just offbeat enough to keep you interested. Thankfully retitled from the initial Can a
Song Save Your Life? Japanese title: Hajimari no Uta. (103 min)
NEW
MORTDECAI
A preening, mustachioed
and not entirely ethical
British art dealer rushes
a ro u n d t h e g l o b e to
recover a missing Goya
in this Johnny Depp vanity action/mystery/caper flick.
Using a wide array of Brit tics and mannerisms, Depp
again disappears into the title character, only this time
the character isn’t all that funny—nor is the movie. It’s
not a disaster; I laughed six times. But how can a film
be so frenetic and at the same time so obstinately
dull? Even in a career slump, Depp is perfectly watchable—why else would those pirate movies exist?—but
this misfire is a disappointment. Japanese title: Charlie
Mortdecai: Kareinaru Meiga no Himitsu. (106 min)
NEW
20,000 DAYS ON
EARTH
Pioneering alt-rock
s o n g w r i t e r/m u s i c i a n /
poet Nick Cave presents
the story of his life so
far in the guise of a fictitious “day in the life” film. This
Sundance fave follows Nick around to rehearsals and
visits with band members and friends (Blixa Bargeld,
Kylie Minogue, Ray Winstone). Notable is a staged
psychotherapy session that, when you think about it,
is the perfect alternative to an interview for discussing
Cave’s psyche and influences. The production values
are impressive, matching the Gothic-grit intensity and
innovation of the musician’s work—and there’s lots of
music. Well done! Japanese title: Nick Cave: 20,000
Days on Earth. (97 min)
THE FACE OF LOVE
A woman (Annette
Bening) still mourning
the loss of her wonderful
husband (Ed Harris) five
years earlier spots, while
at a museum, a man who’s his exact double. She stalks,
meets and causes him to fall in love with her, keeping the uncanny resemblance secret from family and
friends—and even from the new guy himself. What could
go wrong? I’m not sure what this odd little movie thinks
it’s doing. Separated at birth? Weird fantasy? Portrait
of a mad woman? But this is a case in which two great
actors can make such a maudlin, disjointed story work,
and they’re a pleasure to watch. (92 min)
TEENAGE MUTANT
NINJA TURTLES
I can understand producer Michael Bay’s unique
talent for giving his audience what it wants, but
this pointless 100-minute, big-screen, 3-D toy commercial and/or video game will disappoint even the mouthbreathing preteens it’s aimed at. For all its antics and
pop culture references, this waste of pixels lacks any
genuine sense of fun. Directed by Jonathan Liebsman,
the genius who inflicted upon us Wrath of the Titans and
Battle Los Angeles. Best I can say is that this sloppily
written, simulated film product didn’t give me a headache—but only because I had one going in just thinking
about it. Japanese title: Mutant Turtles. (101 min)
DRAFT DAY
The Cleveland Browns’
general manager (a nicely cast Kevin Costner)
is having a bad day. His
legendary dad died a few
weeks earlier, his office sports-wonk girlfriend (Jennifer
Garner) just told him she’s pregnant and the NFL draft
kicks off in 12 hours. Neither the team owner (Frank
Langella) nor the irritating head coach (Denis Leary)
trusts his judgment. At the same time convoluted and
simplistic, it gets confusing when the dealing starts.
(Screenings in Japan get a prologue explaining draft
pick trading.) Glacially paced but genially diverting, and
the final 20 minutes are fun. No sports are played. (107
min)
EXODUS: GODS AND
KINGS
First, this biblical action
flick is visually stunning,
as one would expect from
Ridley Scott. But the pacing is lurching, the acting’s uneven (a lot of scowling),
there are gaping gaps in the story, it feels rushed (even
at 2.5 hrs), there’s little emotional impact and God’s a
bratty kid. Entertaining in spots, but usually unintentionally. I inevitably kept flashing back to Mel Brooks’ The
History of the World, Part One. This didn’t help. Christian
Bale can do almost anything, and his indifferent Moses
is where the “almost” comes in. For a Bible epic, this
is soulless and more than a little dull. Japanese title:
Exodus: Kami to Ō. (150 min)
NEW
NEW
NEW
NEW
Begin Again: © 2013 KILLIFISH PRODUCTIONS, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED; Mortdecai: © 2014 Lions Gate Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved.; 20,000 Days on Earth: © 2014 Pulse Films Ltd./The British Film Institute/Channel Four Television
Corporation.; The Face of Love: © 2014 LOOK OF LOVE,LLC; Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: © MMXIV Paramount Pictures. All Rights Reserved.; Draft Day: © 2014 Summit Entertainment, LLC. All Rights Reserved.; Exodus: Gods and Kings: © 2014
Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation. All Rights Reserved.; Wild Card: © 2014 SJ Heat Holdings, LLC All Rights Reserved; Elsa & Fred: © 2014 CUATRO PLUS FILMS, LLC; What We Do in the Shadows: © Shadow Pictures Ltd MMXIV; Big Eyes: ©
Big Eyes SPV, LLC. All Rights Reserved.; National Gallery: © 2014 Gallery Film LLC and Ideale Audience. All Rights Reserved.
20
More reviews: metropolisjapan.com/movies
NEW
WILD CARD
This is William Goldman’s
second film adaptation
of his novel, Heat. (After
the 1986 clunker starring
Burt Reynolds, and not to
be confused with the much better 1995 Pacino/De Niro
flick.) This time, Jason Statham does the lead honors as
a hardened Las Vegas bodyguard (Jason don’t do soft)
with a gambling problem, who gets in trouble with the
mob and bets all or nothing for his freedom. Also on
board are Stanley Tucci, Sofia Vergara and Anne Heche.
The director is Simon West. Some well-choreographed,
samurai-style, one-against-many fights for Statham fans.
Otherwise, a fairly forgettable pseudo-noir. (92 min)
ELSA & FRED
It ’s always rewarding
to watch old pros like
Christopher Plummer and
Shirley MacLaine strut
their stuff, and I enjoyed
their characters. But when filmmakers sign octogenarian actors of this caliber, they really have to give them
more to do. A misanthropic old widower just waiting to
die gets his head turned around by his slightly dotty
neighbor, an inveterate fibber, and begins to enjoy life
again, etc. You should know you’re in trouble when the
most captivating moments in your movie are excerpts
from La Dolce Vita. It’s cute in spots, if predictable, but
no surprises and little momentum. Japanese title: Trevi
no Izumi de Nidome no Koi wo. (104 min)
WHAT WE DO IN THE
SHADOWS
Horror-comedy is a tricky
genre, but the Kiwis get it
right with this spoof about
a quartet of bloodsuckers
from various epochs dealing with 21st-century life in a
Wellington apartment. Whose turn is it to wash the bloody
dishes? (a-HEH!) This laugh-out-loud, funniest mocumentary since This Is Spinal Tap is basically a series of linked
set pieces, a structure that perfectly suits the material.
There’s a suggestion on how to avoid bloodstains when
having a date for dinner (wink), getting past nightclub
bouncers (vampires must be asked in), mirrors that don’t
work, and what to Google. This is not Twilight. Japanese
title: Sharehouse with Vampire. (86 min)
BIG EYES
Back in the ’60s, Walter
Keane’s (Chris toph
Waltz) schlocky portraits
of big-eyed waifs were
a craze in the art world
(represented by a sneering Terence Stamp). Keane
was a major artist, to be sure, but of the “con” school—
because he never painted anything; that chore went to
his wife, Margaret (Amy Adams). She was complicit in
the deception, having been convinced by her sly husband that art by women would never sell. It’s restrained
for a Tim Burton film, though topped off by a rousing
courtroom scene, and woven into the narrative is a
thought-provoking argument on art vs. commercialism. (100 min)
ANNIE
Some are complaining about the changes
made to the 1977 stage
version. The two principles are black (Jamie
Foxx and Quvenzhané Wallis). So what? Then it’s been
updated from the Depression Era, making it even more
irrelevant than the usual unnecessary reboot. And a
helicopter chase? Seriously? So, pretty bad, but hey,
the original was pretty bad to begin with. Most of the
acting is of the “over” variety, with Cameron Diaz’s
moronic muggings a f ingernails-on-a-blackboard
standout. Banal and shallow, it tries too hard, fails too
frequently and never rises above the adequate family
entertainment level. (118 min)
NATIONAL GALLERY
Documentarian Frederick
Wiseman’s unique and
privileged look at the
venerable title museum
in London. During this
three-hour, ambling-yet-focused visit, we audit several
lectures by the Gallery’s knowledgeable docents; but
there’s much more going on here. Wiseman immerses us
in the place’s daily goings-on: A board meeting, carpenters, lighting experts and, particularly fascinating, the
work being done in the restoration/conservation labs.
All this is done with no talking heads, explanatory text,
voiceovers or even title cards. No contextualization at
all, in fact. I learned stuff. Japanese title: National Gallery
Eikoku no Shihou. (181 min)
©果子電影
© IMAGE.NET
© Paramount Pictures
eiga
This Taiwan-Hong Kong-Japan coproduction tells the true 1931 story
of a small-town Taiwanese high
By Rob Schwartz
school baseball team that made it
against all odds to the esteemed Japanese tournament,
Koshien—and had success once there. Add onto that
the fact the team was ethnically diverse (Japanese, Han
Chinese and indigenous Taiwanese players, which was
unheard of at the time) and from a poor farming district
of the country and you have a veritable fairy tale of a film
... wait, make than an actual fairy tale. In reality, the story
takes place in a Taiwan under Japanese occupation and
of course the coach, Kondo (Masatoshi Nagase), who
comes along and whips into shape the scruffy team that
has never won a game, is Japanese. When you consider
an overwrought soundtrack, a three-hour-plus running
time (with interminable game scenes) and a subplot of
a Japanese agricultural engineer schooling the dumbfounded locals, you get a slightly different impression.
Despite having its heart in the right place, the work is
over-sentimental, obvious and just too long. The factual
story is indeed remarkable, but this film could have benefitted from some historical context, emotional restraint
and a good editor. (About 70 percent in Japanese and
30 percent in Taiwanese; 185 min.)
KANO
NEW
movie news
What do you do after “graduating” from Japan’s biggest
idol group at the tender age of 21? If you are Atsuko
Maeda, you launch a second career in film. Although
Maeda appeared on the big screen during her tenure as
one of the most popular members of AKB48, it has now
become her main focus, including some daring roles.
In 2013, she played a woman who is attacked while
traveling alone in Vladivostok in acclaimed director
Kiyoshi Kurosawa’s Seventh Code. She also served as
the “muse” of the Tokyo International Film Festival and
has written film reviews for the magazine Aera, including heavy fare like Hitchcock’s Vertigo. Her latest role’s
in Kabukicho Love Hotel, by Ryuichi Hiroki, who cut his
teeth directing soft-core “pink films” and has gone on to
make mainstream movies dealing with sexuality, including his biggest hit Vibrator (2003). Maeda plays the livein girlfriend of a love hotel receptionist, played by Shota
Sometani. But her character dreams of being a pop star
and meets a record company exec at the hotel in the
hopes of getting signed. Although there are several sex
scenes in the film, Maeda does not appear in them. But
she doesn’t rule out the possibility: “If asked to do a role
like that and it is in service of the story, I would,” she
said at a recent press screening. Kabukicho Love Hotel
opens January 24. Kevin Mcgue
NEW
cinematic underground
The 10am Film Festival continues its morning screenings of classics at Toho Cinemas Roppongi Hills (6-102 Roppongi Minato-ku; www.tohotheater.jp) and other
venues with Chinatown (1974; pictured) playing from
February 7, and On Golden Pond (1981) on from March
7. A new round of 50 films will kick off April 4. http://
asa10.eiga.com ...
The f inal f ilm of French cinema legend Alain
Resnais, who died last year weeks after its premiere,
will screen from Februar y 14 at Iwanami Hall (2-1
Kanda Jimbocho, Chiyoda-ku; w w w.iwanami-hall.
com). The Life of Riley is set in England but with dialogue in French, and involves three couples who are
brought together when a mutual friend falls seriously
ill …
Fans of European cinema will want to head
to second - run house Waseda Shochiku (1 - 5 -1 6
Takadanobaba, Shinjuku-ku; www.wasedashochiku.
co.jp) this month. Danish director Lars von Trier’s
Nyphomaniac Vol 1 & 2 is on from February 7, the
Oscar-nominated Italian flick The Great Beauty is on
from February 14 and two films by French comedic
master Jacques Tati will hit the screen in the last week
of the month. KM
21
arts&culture
MUSIC
ALL IN THE FAMILY
Siblings Kitty, Daisy & Lewis take their music back to the future
BY DAN GRUNEBAUM
W
hen Metropolis reaches Lewis Durham
in England, the singer, multi-instrumentalist and self-taught audio engineer is
fixing some vintage recording equipment, trying to get it working alongside the computers at Kitty, Daisy & Lewis’ band studio.
“The old equipment has a more honest sound,
and for recording real instruments, it captures it
more faithfully than a computer does,” Durham
says about the sessions for their simply-titled third
album, Kitty, Daisy & Lewis The Third. The trio of
siblings not only makes music inspired by ragtime, jazz, blues, honkytonk and vaudeville; they
also approach the entire endeavor with an oldfashioned family ethic. Despite emerging from a
generation whose musical palette is formed by
electronic sampling and hip-hop, Kitty, Daisy &
Lewis harken back to an era when performing
musical families were common.
“My dad used to sing and play guitar, and his
family did, and we did it at home growing up,” Durham explains. “At school there was contemporary
pop, but at home there were always old songs
being sung. We started off playing older songs
because that’s the simplest place to start: You
pick up the guitar and sing. I guess it’s considered
old-fashioned now, but it seems natural to me.”
Notwithstanding their taste for musical styles
from a century ago, the Durham siblings have
managed to open the ears of a contemporary
crowd, signing with BBC Radio 1 DJ and Bestival
curator Rob da Bank’s label, Sunday Best. It’s not
just the endearingly vintage warmth of their music
but the modern way they mix it up that makes
Kitty, Daisy & Lewis’ material intriguing.
22
Third, for example, takes in everything from
the saucy, vaudeville flavor of “Whenever You
See Me” to the boogie-woogie beats of “Good
Looking Woman,” to the lively rhythms of “Feeling of Wonder.”
“The rhythm changed entirely from what it
first was,” Durham recalls about the latter song.
“Originally it had more of a jazzy swing to it.
Kitty was playing it in the studio, and I started a
new drum beat, and it changed out of nowhere.
“We’re really lucky because we get all kinds
of people coming to our shows—young and
old,” he continues. “We use all different kinds of
feels and approaches, there are lots of variables,
even more with this new album—it’s all different
kinds of genres.”
Kitty, Daisy & Lewis songs often begin as the
siblings have always made music: With loose jam
sessions. “A certain groove will start happening
and then a song will come out of it,” Durham says.
“A lot of it is from just messing around, and stuff
comes out of it. Often in between rehearsing
songs, we’ll get a nice rhythm going, and then
put some words on it.”
The Durham siblings (Kitty is the eldest, followed by Lewis and Daisy—and yes, they do
fight sometimes) still live together in Camden,
where they grew up. They’ve moved out of their
parents’ house but seem remarkably close.
“We’d always had music in the family, and when
we first started playing it was because someone asked me to come onstage and do a song,”
Durham remembers.
“Kitty joined in because there happened to
be drums there, and that was it, really. It was ba-
sically doing what we’d always been doing, but
doing it on the stage. Then Daisy got involved
and we added a few more songs, and a friend of
ours asked us to join a festival. We didn’t have a
name, so he just put on the poster, ‘Kitty, Daisy
and Lewis.’ It all started kind of by mistake.”
A few albums and festivals later, the Durhams found themselves backing the likes of
Coldplay and traveling to Japan for Fuji Rock.
“We’ve been twice to Japan and it was probably the most different place we’ve ever been,”
Lewis says. “The last time we hung out in Tokyo
with Gaz Mayall (ska impresario and son of
blues legend John Mayall). He’s been in Japan
a lot and was showing us around these little
bars where you can fit around seven people.
He called it ‘piss alley.’ We just thought it was
amazing.”
But even if their touring adventures end,
Durham affirms they’ll always be a musical family.
“I tell people that even if we’re not playing on
stage or making records, we’ll have our music
at home, because that’s what we’ve always
done,” he says.
“We’ll just see where it goes. We enjoy touring and making records a lot, but we’ll just take it
organically and see where it goes. It seems to be
going pretty well at the moment. But if we ever
did stop playing on stage for a reason, we’d still
play at home, because we don’t play music to
play in a commercial band—we just play music
together because we enjoy it.”
Kitty, Daisy & Lewis. Apr 24, 7:30pm. ¥6,000.
Shibuya Club Quattro. Shibuya. http://meturl.
com/kittydaisylewis2015
ART
SIGHTS OF CINEMA
The National Film Center
celebrates the imagery of
classic musicals
BY C.B. LIDDELL
The National Film Center (NFC), located quite close to Tokyo
station, is one of the quieter museums in Tokyo and also among
the cheapest. This is definitely a good thing, as visitors will often
find themselves entirely alone with the exhibits, unbothered by
pressing crowds.
In addition to a permanent exhibition focusing on the history
of Japanese cinema, there’s a space for temporary exhibitions,
the latest being “Film History in Posters Part 2: Musical Films.”
This exhibition, which
uses 54 posters from a
private collection donated to the museum,
features mainly Englishlanguage posters with
some Japanese versions.
These advertise a range
of Hollywood musicals
from the 1930s onwards,
starting with such classics
as Top Hat (1935) and The
Gay Divorcee (1934)—retitled Continental for the
more conservative mores
of prewar Japan—Singin’ in the Rain (1952) and Gentlemen Prefer
Blondes (1953), both of which set U.S. and Japanese versions of
the posters side by side.
There’s a double interest. First, there’s the cinematic interest, the movie associations that the posters evoke, which is the
most immediate pleasure. Then there’s the artistic interest that
one gets from contemplating the style and differences between
the posters.
The 2009 NFC exhibition “Soviet Film Posters in the Silent
Era” showed the big influence constructivist artists like the
sibling pair of Georgii and Vladimir Stenberg had in the years
after the Russian Revolution. Along with others, they pioneered
dramatic techniques of collage, interpenetration of shapes and
innovative use of lettering.
These influences can be read in posters such as Cabaret
(1972), which sets Liza Minnelli’s Sally Bowles character against
a backdrop that repeats the film’s name. The posters that drive
home a simple message like this tend to stand up as more effective works than the ones that don’t, such as Rodgers and
Hammerstein’s Carousel (1956), which seems overloaded with
information.
Much more convincing is the simple visual image of one of the
best posters here, that for the Fred Astaire and Audrey Hepburn
vehicle Funny Face (1957), which collages a soft close-up of the
actress’ face in soft pinks with a dynamic image of her in a black
leotard and tights, creating an image that’s modern, intriguing
and makes one want to actually see the movie.
Until Mar 29. The National Film Center, 3-7-6 Kyobashi, Chuoku. Kyobashi or Takaracho. http://meturl.com/nfc
1-TO-1:
TRAVIS
PAYNE
Unity through
motion
BY DANIEL L. SMITH,
FOX EXECUTIVE PRODUCER
T
ravis Payne is a study of a man in perpetual motion. The choreographer,
director and producer whose legacy will forever be linked to one of the
greatest entertainers of all time, Michael Jackson, is taking his message of “Dance Music Though Unity” around the world with zeal his
good friend Michael would have admired.
Payne’s whirlwind visit to Tokyo saw him choreograph a major production for several of famed J-pop producer Johnny Kitagawa’s boy groups,
direct a video with Japanese dancer Yusei for the Travis Payne line
of shoe apparel, drop by the set of the new reality show J Club TV for a
beauty chat with the show’s divas and make the rounds for press interviews.
So corralling Payne for a Fox Backstage Pass interview took a little
enticing on my part—a lift to the studio in a chauffeured Cadillac CTS
limousine and another opportunity to talk about his lifelong love: Dance!
“For me, dance was my way to have a voice. I wasn’t really into football,
baseball and basketball. I always responded to seeing things like diving, gymnastics, figure skating and track. Dance to me was the best of both worlds. It
was athletic as well as artistic,” he explained.
The pursuit of his craft landed him as a dancer on Janet Jackson’s 1990
Rhythm Nation tour, where Travis got the attention of her brother and cast in
the Remember the Time music video.
“After that, I was asked to join the Dangerous Tour. Once I completed the
tour we got into a choreography partnership. Through art, music and dance
we really got to bond and connect. That lasted from 1992 to 2009.”
He called Jackson his mentor and added that the King of Pop taught him
more than an appreciation for dance. “He helped me understand the importance of entrepreneurism and taking the skills I learned in one area and applying them to another.”
He used that experience to launch his apparel line. “Some friends and I
came up with an idea. We wanted to create something functional but stylish,”
he explained. Payne produces the shoes, which are handmade, and other
fashion apparel in partnership with Runic, an Italian company.
Another trait he shared with Jackson is a love of Japan. “I have been coming here since I was 14 years old. I really love it here—the arts, the food and of
course the fashion.” He added, “Michael was so loved here and still is. Many
of the people that reach out to me on Facebook are his fans. You can still feel
the immense dedication they have for him almost five-and-a-half years after
his passing.”
Payne said he has the same commitment for his own “Dance Music
Through Unity” movement. “Dance speaks to everybody. It has become a
universal language of its own!”
Fox Backstage Pass airs Sat on Fox at 1:30am; Sun on Fox Movies Premium
at 9am; Fox Sports and Entertainment at 11:30am.
23
agenda
WATCH LIST
Concerts
POPULAR
Chiodos
American post-hardcore band
from Davison, Michigan. Feb 7,
6pm. ¥5,500/ ¥7,500 (meet &
greet package). Club Quattro.
Shibuya. Tel: 03-3477-8750.
http://j.mp/chiodos2015
Peabo Bryson
American R&B and soul singersongwriter well known for his
soft-rock ballads and tunes
in Disney soundtracks. With
special guest Regina Belle.
Feb 6, 7 & 9:30pm; Feb 7, 5 &
8pm. ¥8,800. Blue Note Tokyo.
Omotesando. Tel: 03-54850088. http://j.mp/bryson2015
The Big Nothing
The Big Nothing is about to
get bigger and sexier! Feb 7,
6-11:30pm. ¥2,000. Garret
Udagawa. Shibuya. Tel:
03-3463-0069. www.facebook.
com/thebignothingjp
Farm Party 15
With indie and experimental
bands Umez, Lo-shi, Servals
and Harps. Feb 8, 6:30-11pm.
¥1,000. Ruby Room. Shibuya.
Tel: 03-3780-3022 (evenings)/
070-6969-4816 (daytime).
http://farmparty.tokyogigguide.
com
At the Gates
Swedish death metal band gone
melodic. Feb 9, 7pm. ¥7,000
(adv). Liquidroom. Ebisu. Tel:
03-5464-0800. http://meturl.
com/atthegates2014
Mötley Crüe
American heavy metal band
known for their genre-bending
mix of anthemic choruses,
stadium-sized riffs and punk
rock and melodic power. Feb
14, 5pm; Feb 15, 4pm. ¥13,00030,000. Saitama Super Arena.
Saitama-Shintoshin. http://
meturl.com/motley2014
Gerard Way
American musician, co-founder
and former lead vocalist of
My Chemical Romance. Feb
17, 7pm. ¥6,500. Akasaka
Blitz. Akasaka. http://j.mp/
gerard2015
Momoiro Clover Z
Japanese idol group known for
their energetic performances
incorporating elements of
ballet, gymnastics and action
movies. Feb 11, 3:30pm.
¥7,200. Yokohama Arena.
Shin-Yokohama. Tel:
045-474-4000. http://meturl.
com/momoclo2015
New Found Glory
American rock band who
emerged as part of the second
wave of pop-punk in the late
1990s. Feb 14, 6pm. ¥6,500.
Club Quattro. Shibuya. Tel:
03-3477-8750.Feb 15, 6pm.
¥6,500. Yokohama Bay Hall.
Motomachi-Chukagai. Tel:
045-624-3900. http://j.mp/
glory2015
Arigatô Tokyo, Bonjour
Paris
Featuring French electronic
music group Egyptology
with Muneomi Senju,
Masaya Nakahara, Aoki
Takamasa, Crystal and
Oorutaichi + VJ SphinkS. Feb
14, 7:30pm. ¥1,800-2,500.
SuperDeluxe. Roppongi.
Tel: 03-5412-0515. http://j.mp/
arigatobonjour2015
24
Judas Priest
English heavy metal band
known for twin lead guitars, a
wide operatic vocal style and
for introducing the S&M leatherand-studs look into heavy
metal. Mar 6, 7:30pm. ¥9,80012,000. Ex Theater Roppongi.
Roppongi or Nogizaka. Tel:
03-6406-2222. http://j.mp/
judas2015
Ok Go
American alternative rock band
known for their often quirky
and elaborate music videos.
Feb 17, 7pm. ¥6,000 (adv).
Tsutaya O-East. Shibuya. Tel:
03-5458-4681. http://meturl.
com/okgo2014
Faith No More
American rock band well known
for combining elements of
heavy metal with funk, hip-hop,
progressive & alternative
rock, hardcore punk, polka,
jazz, samba, gospel and
lounge music. Feb 17-18,
7pm. ¥8,000. Studio Coast.
Shin-Kiba. http://meturl.com/
faithnomore2015
St. Vincent
American indie pop
multi-instrumentalist whose
music has been noted for its
wide array of instruments and
complex arrangements. Feb
20, 7pm. ¥6,500. Club Quattro.
Shibuya. Tel: 03-3477-8750.
http://j.mp/stvincent2015
Slash
British-American musician,
songwriter and notorious
Guns N’ Roses lead guitarist,
featuring Myles Kennedy &
The Conspirators. Feb 10,
7pm. ¥8,000. Studio Coast.
Shin-Kiba. http://j.mp/
slash2015
who have become one of
Asia’s most successful music
acts of their generation.
Feb 25-26, 6pm. ¥10,000.
Tokyo Dome. Suidobashi.
Tel: 03-5800-9999. http://
toho-jp.net/e/
Mineral
American emo band whose
music is characterized by its
iterated soft/loud structure,
overlaid with melodic vocals
and ethereal guitar-based
instrumental bridges. Mineral’s
subtle balance between
angst-ridden kinetics and
wistful underpinnings, in
conjunction with their intelligent
lyrics, heavily influenced many
bands of the late 1990s and
2000s. Feb 20, 7:30pm. ¥4,800
(adv)/ ¥5,300 (door). O-Nest.
Shibuya. http://meturl.com/
mineral2015
Musiq Soulchild
American soul/neo soul
singer-songwriter whose
style blends funk, alternative
rock, blues, jazz, some gospel
influences and hip-hop. Feb
20, 7 & 9:30pm; Feb 21, 6 &
9pm. ¥9,000-11,000. Billboard
Live. Roppongi. Tel: 03-34051133. http://j.mp/soulchild2015
Hostess Club Weekender
With artists Belle and
Sebastian, St. Vincent, Caribou,
The Thurston Moore Band,
Temples and others. Feb 21,
1:45pm; Feb 22, 1:30pm.
¥7,900 (one day)/¥13,900
(two days). Studio Coast.
Shin-Kiba. www.studiocoast.com
Toho Shinki
South Korean pop group
consisting of the duo U-know
Yunho and Max Changmin
Charli XCX
British singer and songwriter
who won the 2014 Hitmaker of
the Year Award from Billboard
Women in Music. Apr 16, 7pm.
¥6,000. Liquidroom. Ebisu.
Tel: 03-5464-0800. http://j.mp/
charli2015
JAZZ/WORLD
Marlena Shaw
American jazz, blues and soul
singer whose music has often
been sampled in hip-hop music,
featuring Chuck Rainey, David
T. Walker, Larry Nas and Harvey
Mason as part of the Who is this
Bitch Anyway? reunion tour.
Feb 7, 6 & 9pm; Feb 8, 4:30 &
7:30pm; Feb 9, 7 & 9:30pm.
¥9,000-11,000. Billboard Live.
Roppongi. Tel: 03-34051133. http://j.mp/shaw2015
Steps Ahead
Contemporary jazz unit
featuring Mike Mainieri, Eliane
Elias, Marc Johnson, Bob
Sheppard and Peter Erskine.
Feb 8 & 11, 5 & 8pm; Feb 9-10,
7 & 9:30pm. ¥8,500. Blue Note
Tokyo. Omotesando. Tel:
03-5485-0088. http://j.mp/
stepsahead2015
13, 7 & 9:30pm; Feb 14-15, 5 &
8pm. ¥7,800. Blue Note Tokyo.
Omotesando. Tel: 03-54850088. http://j.mp/conte2015
Pascal Schumacher
Luxembourg jazz musician,
composer and percussionist
who has founded a number of
groups, including the Pascal
Schumacher Quartet. Feb
17, 6:30pm. ¥5,000-7,000.
Cotton Club. Tokyo. Tel:
03-3215-1555. http://j.mp/
schumacher2015
Charlie Hunter & Scott
Amendola
American jazz guitarist Hunter
with American jazz drummer
Amendola. Feb 17-18, 7 &
9:30pm. ¥6,800. Blue Note
Tokyo. Omotesando. Tel:
03-5485-0088. http://j.mp/
hunteramendola2015
Diane Schuur
Grammy-winning American
jazz singer who has headlined
at the likes of Carnegie Hall
and the White House. Feb
19-21, 6:30 & 9pm; Feb 21,
5 & 8pm. ¥7,800-10,000.
Cotton Club. Tokyo. Tel:
03-3215-1555. http://j.mp/
schuurcotton2015. Feb 24,
7pm. ¥7,800. Blue Note
Tokyo. Omotesando. Tel:
03-5485-0088. http://j.mp/
schuurbluenote2015
Marcus Miller
American jazz composer and
multi-instrumentalist, best
known as a bass guitarist,
who has worked with the likes
of Miles Davis and Herbie
Hancock throughout his
career. Feb 19, 20 & 23, 7 &
9:30pm; Feb 21-22, 5 & 8pm.
¥10,800. Blue Note Tokyo.
Omotesando. Tel: 03-54850088. http://j.mp/miller2015
Grégoire Maret Quartet
French accordionist Galliano’s
special Valentine’s Day live.
Feb 12, 7pm. ¥8,500. Blue
Note Tokyo. Omotesando.
Tel: 03-5485-0088. http://j.mp/
galliano2015
Quartet led by jazz harmonica
player Maret, with John
Beasley, James Genus
and Jeff “Tain” Watts. Mar
3-4, 6:30 & 9pm. ¥7,800.
Cotton Club. Tokyo. Tel:
03-3215-1555. http://j.mp/
maretquartet2015
Halie Loren
Bob James Quartet
Award-winning American folk
and country singer-songwriter
sings inspirational tunes. Feb 11
& 14, 5 & 8pm; Feb 12, 6:30pm;
Feb 13, 6:30 & 9pm. ¥7,0009,000. Cotton Club. Tokyo.
Tel: 03-3215-1555. http://j.mp/
loren2015
Grammy-winning smooth
jazz keyboardist is joined by
Carlitos Del Puerto, Perry
Hughes and Clarence Penn
in celebration of James’ 75th
birthday. Mar 5-6, 7 & 9:30pm;
Mar 7, 5 & 8pm. ¥8,500. Blue
Note Tokyo. Omotesando.
Tel: 03-5485-0088. http://j.
mp/jamesquartet2015
Richard Galliano Septet
José James
American vocalist blending
modern jazz and hip-hop,
presents “Yesterday I Had
the Blues: The Music of Billie
Holiday.” Feb 13, 7 & 9:30pm;
Feb 14, 6 & 9pm; Feb 15, 4:30
& 7:30pm. ¥6,700-8,700.
Billboard Live. Roppongi.
Tel: 03-3405-1133. http://j.mp/
jose2015
Classic country western
and bluegrass. Every third
Sat, 6:30 & 7:30pm. Free.
Cafe Sepia. Shibuya.
Tel: 03-3406-1300. www.
nagaremono.com/sepia
Nicola Conte Jazz Combo
Prague Philharmonia
Italian DJ and bandleader
known initially for introducing
an innovative style of acid jazz
that incorporates bossa nova
themes, melodies drawn from
Italian film scores of the 1960s
and ethnic Indian music. Feb
Conducted by Jakub Hrůša
with performances of pieces
by Dvořák. Feb 6, 7pm.
¥5,000-13,000. Suntory Hall.
Roppongi-itchome. Tel:
0570-55-0017. http://j.mp/
prague2015
Blue Mountain Boys
CLASSICAL
The Legend of Zelda
Symphony of the
Goddesses
Performed by the Tokyo
Philharmonic Orchestra,
celebrating the release of The
Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask
3-D. Feb 7, 6pm. ¥8,000-9,000.
Tokyo International Forum Hall
A. Yurakucho. Tel: 03-52219000. http://zelda-symphony.jp
Organ Promenade Concert
Performed by Monica Melcová.
Feb 12, 12:15-12:45pm. Free.
Suntory Hall. Roppongiitchome. Tel: 0570-55-0017.
http://meturl.com/suntoryhall
Valentine’s Concert
Opera singers Maki Mori
and Yasuo Horiuchi perform
classic pieces based on love.
Feb 13, 7pm. ¥2,000-4,000.
Meguro Persimmon Hall.
Toritsudaigaku. Tel: 03-57012924. www.persimmon.or.jp
T2
Shibuya Mixx. EDM: DJs Shu,
Ikezawa, etc. From 10pm,
(m)¥3,500 w/1d, (f)¥2,500
w/2d. Shibuya. Tel: 03-54288692. www.t2-shibuya.com
Ageha
Agepa. All mix: DJs Party
Animal, U5, etc. From 11pm,
(m)¥3,000 w/1d, (f)free.
Shinkiba. Tel: 03-55342525. www.ageha.com
Club Asia
Up Beat. House, techno: DJs
Yamariki, Oikawa, etc. From
11pm, ¥3,000. Shibuya. Tel:
03-5458-2551. www.clubasia.
co.jp
Ucess the Lounge
Nu Cycle. Hip-hop: DJs
Dabook, Km, etc. From 11pm,
¥1,500 w/1d. Meijijingumae.
Tel: 03-6807-1588. www.
ucess.jp
Classical Players Tokyo
Womb
Performances of pieces
by Beethoven and Mozart
with the Classical Players
on period instruments.
Feb 14, 3pm. ¥2,0004,000. Tokyo Metropolitan
Theatre. Ikebukuro. Tel:
03-5391-2111. http://j.mp/
classicalplayers2015
Sterne. Techno: DJs Hot Since
82, Ishino, etc. From 11pm,
¥3,500. Shibuya. Tel:
03-5459-0039. www.womb.
co.jp
Kanagawa Philharmonic
Orchestra
Conducted by Kentaro Kawase
with soprano singer Miwako
Handa and Daiju Kadowaki on
the cello. Feb 14, 3pm. ¥1,0004,000. Kanagawa Kenritsu
Ongakudo. Sakuragicho.
Tel: 045-662-8866. www.
kanagawa-ongakudo.com/
english
Tokyo Philharmonic
Orchestra
Conducted by Israeli conductor
Dan Ettinger with soloist Yoko
Kikuchi. Feb 15, 3pm. ¥6,2007,700. Bunkamura . Shibuya.
Tel: 03-3477-9111. http://
meturl.com/bunkamura
Clubbing
FRIDAY 6
The New Matrix Bar
Matrix Friday. Old-school
hip-hop, west side, south
side, all mix: DJ Ykk and more.
From 6pm, ¥1,000 (after
11:30pm). Roppongi. www.
matrixbar.jp
SATURDAY 7
Ruby Room
Sweet as New Zealand:
Waitangi Day Party. DJs, live
band and more. 6-10:30pm,
Free. Shibuya. Tel: 03-37803022 (evenings) / 070-69694816 (daytime). http://http://j.
mp/waitangi2015
The New Matrix Bar
Saturday Night Fever. Hip-hop,
R&B, reggae: DJ Ykk and
more. From 6pm, ¥1,000 (after
10pm). Roppongi. www.
matrixbar.jp
Air
Beat in Me. House, techno:
DJs Barac, Raha, etc. From
10pm, ¥3,000. Shibuya.
Tel: 03-5784-3384. www.
air-tokyo.com
Sound Museum Vision
Modern Disco. All good
music, disco: DJs Darius, Taar,
etc. From 10pm, ¥3,500.
Shibuya. Tel: 03-5728-2824.
www.vision-tokyo.com
The Room
Especial Records Session. Jazz,
house: DJs Yoshihiro Okino,
Yukari Bb, etc. From 10pm,
¥2,500 w/1d. Shibuya. www.
theroom.jp
Air
Osunlade. House: DJ
Osunlade and more. From
10pm, ¥3,500. Shibuya.
Tel: 03-5784-3384. www.
air-tokyo.com
T2
Shibuya Mixx. EDM: DJs Black
Jaxx, Shu, etc. From 10pm,
(m)¥3,500 w/1d, (f)¥2,500
w/2d. Shibuya. Tel: 03-54288692. www.t2-shibuya.com
Sound Museum Vision
Man Woman Collection After
Party. Electro, techno: DJs
Cassius, Off the Rocker, etc.
From 10pm, (m)¥3,500 w/1d,
(f)¥2,500 w/1d. Shibuya.
Tel: 03-5728-2824. www.
vision-tokyo.com
Ageha
The Wonderland. EDM, house:
DJs Remo-Con, Sugiurumn,
etc. From 11pm, ¥3,000.
Shinkiba. Tel: 03-55342525. www.ageha.com
Daikanyama Unit
The Room
Breakthrough. Hip-hop:
DJs Jin, Ladi Dadi, etc.
From 10pm, ¥2,500 w/1d.
Shibuya. www.theroom.jp
Club Crac. DJs Nobu,
Bushmind, etc. From 11pm,
¥2,500. Daikanyama.
Tel: 03-5459-8630. www.
unit-tokyo.com
hot tickets
MAR
20-23
Bobby McFerrin
Grammy-winning reggae and jazz
musician reminds you to not worry—
be happy. Mar 20 & 23, 7 & 9:30pm;
Mar 21-22, 5 & 8pm. ¥12,800.
Blue Note Tokyo. Omotesando.
Tel: 03-5485-0088. http://j.mp/
mcferrin2015
Tickets on sale now
APR
16
Noel Gallagher’s High
Flying Birds
English rock band led by former
Oasis lead guitarist/songwriter.
Apr 16, 7pm. ¥9,000. Nippon
Budokan. Kudanshita. http://j.mp/
gallagher2015
Tickets on sale now
Ruby Room
T2
Space Dizzy Time. DJs Ito,
Yoshi, etc. From 11pm,
¥2,000 w/1d. Shibuya. Tel:
03-3780-3022 (evenings) /
070-6969-4816 (daytime).
www.rubyroomtokyo.com
Shibuya Mixx. EDM: DJs Shu,
Baby-T, etc. From 10pm,
(m)¥3,500 w/1d, (f)¥2,500
w/2d. Shibuya. Tel: 03-54288692. www.t2-shibuya.com
Club Asia
Void. Bass music: DJs Gyto,
Tum, etc. From 11pm, ¥2,000
w/1d. Meijijingumae. Tel:
03-6807-1588. www.ucess.jp
Jumper. EDM: DJs Hikaru,
Shima, etc. From 11pm,
(m)¥3,000, (f)free. Shibuya.
Tel: 03-5458-2551. www.
clubasia.co.jp
Womb
Ucess the Lounge
06s. Drum’n’bass: DJs
Drumsound & Bassline Smith,
Aki, etc. From 11pm, ¥3,500.
Shibuya. Tel: 03-5459-0039.
www.womb.co.jp
Crib of Rulez. Hip-hop: DJs
Kopero, Masa, etc. From 11pm,
¥2,000 w/1d. Meijijingumae.
Tel: 03-6807-1588. www.
ucess.jp
SUNDAY 8
Womb
Ucess the Lounge
T2
Global Allmix Party. All mix: DJs
Takashi, Rew, etc. From 10pm,
(m)¥2,500 w/2d, (f)¥1,500
w/2d. Shibuya. Tel: 03-54288692. www.t2-shibuya.com
The Room
Em. Nu classic: DJs Sazanami,
Cbtek, etc. 5-11pm, ¥2,000
w/1d. Shibuya. www.
theroom.jp
THURSDAY 12
T2
Happiness. World mix: DJs
Shu, Igarashi, etc. From 10pm,
(m)¥2,500 w/2d, (f)¥1,500
w/2d. Shibuya. Tel: 03-54288692. www.t2-shibuya.com
Womb
Uranus. House, techno: DJs
Overflow, Tanaka, etc. From
10pm, ¥1,500. Shibuya. Tel:
03-5459-0039. www.womb.
co.jp
Sound Museum Vision
Coconut Bomber. Hip-hop: DJs
Kango, Toyo, etc. From 11pm,
¥3,000 w/1d. Shibuya. Tel:
03-5728-2824. www.visiontokyo.com
Club Asia
Orange. All mix: DJs Chihiro,
Horiki, etc. ¥1,000. Shibuya.
Tel: 03-5458-2551. www.
clubasia.co.jp
FRIDAY 13
The New Matrix Bar
Matrix Friday. Old-school
hip-hop, west side, south side,
all mix: DJ Ykk and more. From
6pm, ¥1,000 (after 11:30pm).
Roppongi. www.matrixbar.jp
Air
Reboot. Techno: DJs Sian,
Q’hey, etc. From 10pm,
¥3,500. Shibuya. Tel:
03-5784-3384. www.
air-tokyo.com
Sound Museum Vision
Girls Festival. Hip-hop: DJs
Kaori, Kango, etc. From 10pm,
(m)¥3,500 w/1d, (f)free.
Shibuya. Tel: 03-5728-2824.
www.vision-tokyo.com
The Room
Destination. Broken beats,
deep house: DJs Oka,
Shimoda, etc. From 10pm,
¥2,000 w/1d. Shibuya. www.
theroom.jp
Edm Music Festival. EDM,
electro: DJs Taku, Alisa,
etc. From 11pm, (m)¥3,500,
(f)¥2,500. Shibuya. Tel:
03-5459-0039. www.womb.
co.jp
Dance
The Sleeping Beauty
Tchaikovsky’s ballet staged
by Vladimir Malakhov, artistic
adviser of the Tokyo Ballet.
Feb 7-8, 2pm. ¥3,000-12,000.
Tokyo Bunka Kaikan. Ueno.
Tel: 03-3828-2111. http://j.mp/
thesleepingbeauty2015
La Bayadère
Ballet that tells story of the
temple dancer Nikiya and
the warrior Solor who have
sworn eternal fidelity to one
another. Feb 17, 7pm; Feb 19,
21 & 22, 2pm. ¥3,240-10,800.
New National Theatre Tokyo.
Hatsudai. Tel: 03-53529999. http://meturl.com/
bayadere2015
Stage
Return to the Forbidden
Planet
A cosmic sci-fi rock ’n’ roll
musical for the whole family.
Feb 6-7, 7:30pm, Feb 8,
2pm. ¥1,500 (adults)/¥500
(students). Yokohama
International School, Tanner
Auditorium. Motomachi
Chukagai. http://tiny.cc/43o4px
Die Fledermaus
(“The Bat”)
Operetta composed by
Johann Strauss II, with stage
production by Heinz Zednik,
a renowned tenor whose
elegant staging comes from
his thorough familiarity with
the Viennese temperament
and deep understanding of the
work. Feb 6, 7pm; Feb 8, 2pm.
¥4,320-23,760. New National
Theatre Tokyo. Hatsudai.
Tel: 03-5352-9999. http://
meturl.com/fledermaus2015
Rigoletto
Verdi’s opera about the
licentious Duke of Mantua,
his hunch-backed court jester
Rigoletto, and Rigoletto’s
beautiful daughter Gilda.
Feb 19, 6:30pm; Feb 20-22,
2pm. ¥2,000-16,000. Tokyo
Bunka Kaikan. Ueno. Tel:
03-3828-2111. http://j.mp/
rigolettotokyo2015
APR
18
Meghan Trainor
Chart-topping pop singer comes
to Tokyo but will cause no treble;
she’s all about the bass, after all. Apr
18, 7pm. ¥5,800. Laforet Museum.
Harajuku. Tel: 03-5413-3072.
http://j.mp/trainor2015
Tickets on sale now
Exhibitions
ENDING SOON
Modern Craft Art Japan:
Beauty of Masterpieces
from the Museum
Collection
Explore the history of Japanese
craft art from the Meiji era
to the present day. Until Feb
15, 10am-5pm, closed Mon.
¥70-210. Craft Gallery, The
National Museum of Modern
Art. Takebashi. Tel: 03-57778600. www.momat.go.jp
Monogatari-e Illustrated
Narrative Painting: Words
and Forms
Featuring monogatari-e, the
art of painting which selects
and illustrates symbolic scenes
and episodes in Buddhist
stories and classical tales.
The exhibition examines the
close relationship between
its form and words. Until Feb
15, 10am-5pm, closed Mon.
¥700-1,000. Idemitsu Museum
of Arts. Tokyo. www.
idemitsu.co.jp/museum
ONGOING
MAY
7
Sam Smith
Nominated for six Grammys in
2014, the English singer-songwriter
serenades Tokyo with his hits.
May 7, 7pm. ¥6,000. Studio Coast.
Shin-Kiba. Tel: 03-3499-6669.
http://j.mp/samsmith2015
Tickets on sale now
talent and creativity to forward
Philippine design to the world.
Feb 9-26, 11am-7pm. Free.
Tokyo Midtown Design Hub.
Roppongi or Nogizaka. Tel:
03-6743-3775. http://j.mp/
philippinedesign2015
Kengo Kito: Reflection
Berlin-based artist who
uses ordinary, ready-made
materials such as Hula-Hoops,
laces and threads and
assembles them into
works such as two- and
three-dimensional objects
and installations. Until Feb 28,
12-7pm, closed Sun, Mon &
hols. Free. Kenji Taki Gallery.
Hatsudai. Tel: 03-33786051. www.kenjitaki.com
Manami Higashi & Yuko
Miyama
Featuring Higashi, whose
works contain the motif of
Japanese cartoon figurines
that represent the nation
today and Miyama, whose
work represents Asian culture
more generally. Until Feb
28, 11am-7pm, closed Sun,
Mon & hols. Free. Masataka
Contemporary. Nihonbashi.
Tel: 03-3275-1019. http://j.
mp/miyama2015
Animal Worship
Showcasing paintings and
crafts of sheep and other
animals, including the
Double-Ram Zun from the
British Museum. Until Feb
22, 10am-5pm, closed Mon.
¥1,000-1,200. Nezu Museum.
Omotesando. http://meturl.
com/animal2015
Hikari Exhibition
Explores the relationship
between light and space, the
earth and humans, showcasing
the beautiful world of light.
Until Feb 22, 9am-5pm, closed
Mon. ¥600-1,600. National
Museum of Nature and
Science. Ueno. Tel: 03-38220111. http://hikari.exhn.jp
Yoshihide Otomo: Between
Music and Art
Otomo is active as a musician
in a broad range of musical
fields from improvised
to popular, and works on
soundtracks for cinema and
TV among many other things.
The exhibition focuses on the
dissimilarities between the
originally different disciplines
of music and art, with the
aim to define what exists
“between” these two systems.
Until Feb 22, 11am-6pm,
closed Mon. ¥500. NTT
Intercommunication Center.
Hatsudai. http://meturl.com/
otomo2014
Yoshitoshi and Kunichika:
Beauties of Modern Age
Showcasing works by the
two leading Ukiyo-e artists
of the Meiji Period. Until Feb
25, 10:30am-5:30pm, closed
Mon. ¥500-700. Ukiyo-e Ota
Memorial Museum of Art.
Harajuku. Tel: 03-34030880. http://meturl.com/ukiyoe
Philippine Design
Exhibition
Showcasing works by an
alliance of designers who
have the passion to share their
Line in the Sand: Paul
Davis
This exhibition delves into
graphic artist Davis’ massive
archive, showing a carefully
selected set of work that
features only those pieces
that truly satisfy the artist
(most of which have never
been published before).
Until Feb 28, 11am-7pm.
Free. Ginza Graphic Gallery.
Ginza. http://j.mp/
davis2015
Shake! Art Exhibition
Digital art produced
by TeamLab, an “Ultra
Technologist” organization
that merges science,
technology, art and design,
with an interactive Future
Park. Until Mar 1, 10am-5pm.
¥900-1,800. Miraikan.
Telecom Center station.
Tel: 03-3570-9151. http://
odoru.team-lab.net
Narahara Ikko: Domains
One of the leading
photographers of post-war
Japan presents Domains, a
look at people in a monastery
in Hokkaido and a female
prison in Wakayama, both
isolated from the external
world. Until Mar 1, 10am-5pm,
closed Mon. ¥130-430. The
National Museum of Modern
Art, Tokyo. Takebashi. Tel:
03-5777-8600. http://meturl.
com/ikko2014
Takamatsu Jiro: Mysteries
Solve the mysteries contained
in Takamatsu’s works which
have received an increasing
amount of international
acclaim in recent years,
and revisit the artist’s vast
philosophical world. Until
Mar 1, 10am-5pm, closed
Mon. ¥500-900. The National
Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo.
Takebashi. Tel: 03-57778600. http://meturl.com/
mysteries2014
for free
UNTIL
FEB 28
Dockyard Projection
Mapping: The New World
Enjoy a 180-degree projection
mapping experience synchronized
with Dvořák’s New World Symphony.
Until Feb 28, 6, 6:50 & 7:40pm. Free.
Yokohama Landmark Tower Dockyard
Garden. Minatomirai. Tel: 045-2225015.
Ninnami Dohachi: An
Observant and Brilliant
Potter
Ueno. http://meturl.com/
greattsunami2015
Introducing Dohachi, a potter
particularly admired as a
master of Japanese-style
kyoyaki, or Kyoto ceramics,
and his oeuvre through a
large number of his works,
including matcha and sencha
teawares and tableware for
serving kaiseki cuisine. Until
Mar 1, 10am-6pm, closed Tue.
¥800-1,100 (adv)/ ¥1,0001,300 (door). Suntory Museum
of Art. Roppongi. http://
meturl.com/suntorymuseum
New-wave Artists 2015:
From the Public Entry
Exhibition
An exhibition introducing five
up-and-coming artists of great
promise, selected from among
artists appearing in “Best
Selection 2014.” Feb 19-Mar
15, 9:30am-5:30pm, closed
Mar 2. ¥300-500. Tokyo
Metropolitan Art Museum.
Ueno. Tel: 03-3823-6921.
http://j.mp/newwave2015
Rufus Lin: I am Music
Steve Tootell: Firing On All
Cylinders
Exceptional pottery from
Steve’s many kilns. Feb 14-Mar
1, 12-6pm, closed Mon-Wed.
Gallery St. Ives. Jiyugaoka.
Tel: 03-3705-3050. http://
meturl.com/gallerystives
Explore! Experience! EdoTokyo
Explore the cultural and artistic
history of the flourishing
capital. Until Mar 8, 9:30am5:30pm (until 7:30pm on Sat),
closed Mon. ¥120-240 (adv)/
¥150-300 (door). Edo-Tokyo
Museum. Ryogoku. Tel:
03-3626-9974. http://meturl.
com/edotokyomuseum
Katagaki no Nai Jinsei
Showcasing works by the
late calligrapher and poet
Mitsuo Aida in honor of the
90th anniversary of his birth.
Until Mar 8, 10am-5:30pm,
closed Mon. ¥200-800. Mitsuo
Aida Museum. Tokyo. Tel:
03-6212-3200. http://meturl.
com/mitsuo
Robin Fry: Gardens
An exhibition of new paintings
by Fry, a Berlin-based Canadian
artist known as an abstract
painter and performing
artist. Until Mar 8, 1-7pm.
Free. Hiromart Gallery.
Edogawabashi. Tel: 03-62339836. http://j.mp/gardens2015
Masayuki Harada: Not
knowing that it was
yesterday
Fine art and funky illustrations
from Canadian artist Rufus
Lin. Until Mar 19, 10am-8pm
(weekdays), 10am-6pm
(weekends). Free. G-Ring LLC
Cafe and Bar. Roppongi.
Tel: 03-6844-4960. http://
rufuslinstudio.com
Sense Modern
Showcasing works by Yozo
Hamaguchi, a printmaker
widely known as the artist who
gave new life to mezzotint.
Until Mar 22, 11am-5pm,
closed Mon. ¥200-600. Musée
Hamaguchi Yozo: Yamasa
Collection. Suitengumae.
Tel: 03-3665-0251. http://
meturl.com/yamasacollection
Kishio Suga: Situated
Latency
An artist of the Monoha
movement that flourished in
the years before and after
1970, who uses stone, wood
and sheet metal to create
installations which consist
not merely of the relationship
between substances, but
also of the minute and
free-relational structure
between the space and
materials as an object. Until
Mar 22, 10am-6pm, closed
Mon. ¥600-1,100. Museum
of Contemporary Art Tokyo.
Kiyosumi-Shirakawa. www.
mot-art-museum.jp/eng
Constellations: Practices
for Unseen Connections/
Discoveries
Up-and-coming artist who
uses household appliances,
furniture, plants, food and
other daily goods and
transforms them to create
a space that is out of the
ordinary. Until Mar 8, 5-11pm
on Mon; 1-7pm Fri-Sun; closed
Tue-Thu. Free. waitingroom.
Ebisu. Tel: 03-3476-1010.
www.waitingroom.jp
The theme for this exhibition
is to “to draw invisible
lines and to connect dots,”
by introducing works that
link different “places” and
“times,” going beyond existing
borders to spin together
new relationships. Until
Mar 22, 10am-6pm, closed
Mon. ¥600-1,100. Museum
of Contemporary Art Tokyo.
Kiyosumi-Shirakawa. www.
mot-art-museum.jp/eng
The Great Tsunami of
March 11, 2011, and the
Restoration of Cultural
Properties
Neo-Impressionism, from
Light to Color
After the Great East Japan
Earthquake, the Tokyo
National Museum cooperated
with institutions including the
Rikuzentakata City Museum
and the Iwate Prefectural
Museum to restore damaged
cultural properties. The
exhibition shares the results
of four years of effort and
informs visitors of the
restoration project’s current
status. Until Mar 15, 9:30am5pm, closed Mon. ¥410-620.
Tokyo National Museum.
Introducing the trend of
“neo-impressionism,” a
movement that progressed
with innovative painting
linked to the 20th century that
developed a style of brightly
portraying the real world
within picture frames, based
on contemporary light and
color theories. Until Mar 29,
9:30am-5:30pm (until 8pm on
Fri), closed Mon. ¥800-1,600.
Tokyo Metropolitan Art
Museum. Ueno. Tel:
03-3823-6921. http://j.mp/
neoimpressionism2015
25
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Physiotherapy, personal training
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Hours: Open Mon-Sun 6:30am-9:30pm • Tel: 03-6434-9667
26
Jules Pascin
Displaying Pascin’s
best-known later works such
as his nude oil paintings in
mother-of-pearl tones, as
well as his early sketches and
watercolors and experiments
in printing, Fauvism and
Expressionism. Until Mar
29, 10am-6pm, closed Wed.
¥500-1,000. Shiodome
Museum. Shimbashi. Tel:
03-5777-8600. http://meturl.
com/pascin2015
Swiss Design
Showcasing the distinct
sophistication and quality of
Swiss design that sets the
country apart in functionality,
tradition, engineering and
hands-on craftsmanship.
Until Mar 29, 11am-7pm
(until 8pm on Fri & Sat),
closed Mon. ¥1,000-1,200.
Tokyo Opera City Art Gallery.
Hatsudai. http://meturl.com/
swissdesign2015
accessories. Mar 1-26,
10:30am-5:30pm, closed
Mon. ¥500-700. Ukiyo-e Ota
Memorial Museum of Art.
Harajuku. Tel: 03-34030880. http://meturl.com/
ukiyoe
Sports
PRO WRESTLING
OZ Academy
Feb 8, 6pm, ¥3,000-7,000.
Shinjuku Face. Shinjuku.
Tel: 03-3200-1300.
JWP
●●Feb 8, 1pm, ¥4,000-6,000;
4pm, ¥4,000. Asakusa
Hanayashiki. Asakusa. Tel:
03-3842-8780.
●●Feb 15, 1:30pm, ¥4,0005,000. Lazona Kawasaki
Plaza. Kawasaki. Tel:
044-874-8501.
Tue, 7pm. Free. Cafe Respekt.
Shibuya. www.meetup.com/
TokyoStitchandBitch
Dr. Sketchy’s Anti-Art
School
Burlesque models pose
for artstars and sketching
newbies alike with arty
socializing. Every third Wed,
7pm. ¥2,000 w/ 1d. Studio and
Space IVVA. Meiji-Jingumae
or Harajuku. www.
drsketchytokyo.wordpress.
com
Sunday Spin
Hula-Hoop it up in Yoyogi; no
need to bring your own. Drop
in/out at any time. Every fourth
Sun. Yoyogi Park. Harajuku.
Tel: 03-3469-6081. http://
meturl.com/hoopinginjapan
Learning
Showcasing Buddhist
sculptures from Michinoku,
famous for their powerful
expressions. Until Apr 5,
9:30am-5pm, closed Mon.
¥400-1,000. Tokyo National
Museum. Ueno. http://
michinoku2015.jp
Fantaisie Merveilleuse
Introducing the richly
imaginative, but relatively
unknown, Art Deco world by
focusing on 80 works shown
for the first time in Japan.
Until Apr 7, 10am-6pm.
¥480-960 (adv)/ ¥600-1,200
(door). Tokyo Metropolitan
Teien Art Museum. Meguro.
Tel: 03-3443-0201. www.
teien-art-museum.ne.jp/en
J-League
●●Yokohama F Marinos vs.
Matsumoto Yamaga F.C. Feb
21, 2pm, ¥700-3,700. Nissan
Stadium. Kozukue. Tel:
045-477-5000.
●●Fuji Xerox Super Cup.
Gamba Osaka vs. Urawa Reds.
Feb 28, 1:35pm, ¥1,0006,000. Nissan Stadium.
Kozukue. Tel: 045-4775000.
Forums &
Expos
Wonder Festival
Gabriel Orozco: Inner
Cycles
Mexican artist known for
works that manipulate existing
objects or rules to transform
them into something else,
which intervene with common
scenes to invite new thoughts.
Until May 10, 10am-6pm,
closed Mon. ¥600-1,100.
Museum of Contemporary Art
Tokyo. Kiyosumi-shirakawa.
www.mot-art-museum.jp/eng
Best of the Best
The last exhibition before the
museum closes for renovation
on May 18, showcasing
160 works of modern and
contemporary Western art.
Until May 17, 10am-6pm
(until 8pm on Fri), closed
Mon. ¥500-800. Bridgestone
Museum of Art. Tokyo. Tel:
03-5777-8600. http://meturl.
com/bestofthebest2015
UPCOMING
Louvre Museum
With works by Vermeer,
Rembrandt and others.
Feb 21-Jun 1, 10am-6pm,
closed Tue. ¥800-1,600. The
National Art Center, Tokyo.
Nogizaka. http://meturl.
com/louvrescenes
Wonder Seeds
An open-call exhibition aimed
to select and sell works of
promising young artists,
providing an opportunity
to connect young artists
and art lovers/collectors.
Feb 21-Mar 22, 11am-7pm.
Free. Tokyo Wonder Site
Shibuya. Shibuya. Tel:
03-3463-0603. http://j.mp/
wonderseeds2015
Enjoy displays of “garage
kits,” or sculptures that
usually replicate characters
and creatures (often mecha/
sci-fi) from popular anime
and games. Also available
for purchase. Feb 8,
10am-5pm. ¥2,000. Makuhari
Messe. Kaihin-Makuhari.
wf.kaiyodo.net
Camera & Photo Imaging
Show
Showcasing the technology,
culture and industry of
cameras and photo imaging.
Feb 12, 12-6pm; Feb
13-14, 10am-6pm; Feb 15,
10am-5pm. ¥1,500. Pacifico
Yokohama. Minatomirai.
www.cpplus.jp/en
Tokyo Marathon Expo
A three-day warm-up event
to the 2015 Tokyo Marathon
with activities not only aimed
towards the participants
of the marathon but to the
general public, including
serious leisure runners
and people interested in
taking up running. Feb
19-20, 11am-9pm; Feb 21,
11am-8pm. Free. Tokyo
Big Sight. KokusaiTenjijo-Seimon. Tel:
03-5530-1111. http://j.mp/
tokyomarathonexpo2015
community
PVisa Attorney
• Establishing a Company
& Branch Office
• Corporate Services
• Immigration Services
More Than Twenty Years Experience
KASAI CPA
Feb 13, 6:30pm, ¥4,0007,000. Korakuen Hall.
Suidobashi. Tel: 03-58009999.
SOCCER
PTax
• Tax Preparation
• Tax Consulting
• US Tax Filing
• Accounting Services
• Payroll Services
FEB 21
Wrestle-1
Masterpieces of Buddhist
Sculpture from Northern
Japan
PAccounting
• Auditing
• IPO Consulting
• Due Diligence
Takashi Kasai CPA Firm
4-1-2-302 Honcho, Kokubunji-shi, Tokyo
[email protected]
www.kasaicpa.com
042-401-0342
TELL Lifeline Training
Phone Counselor Training
Program available both
online and now a new flexible
in-classroom schedule. Starts
Feb 21. For more info, contact
Mica Henderson at training@
telljp.com
WADA Legal & Administrative Office
We can help you with:
• Visa & Immigration Procedures
• Mixed Marriage, Naturalisation
and Refugee Status
• Establishing a Company &
Branch Office
• Accounting Services, Acquiring
Business Licences
• Preparation/Translation of
Legal & Business Documents
• Other Legal & Business Matters
Italian Wine Seminar
Seminar and Italian-style
gourmet dinner. Feb 14,
7-10:30pm. ¥13,980 + tax
(adv). Stellato. Shirokanedai.
Tel: 03-3442-5588. http://j.
mp/wineseminar2015
Other Events
Steam Garden
Japan’s number-one
alternative history and
steampunk event, with a
performance by Japanese
art rock band KAO=S. Feb 7,
2-7:30pm. ¥2,000 (children
up to age 15, ID required)/
¥4,000. Laforet Museum
(Harajuku). Harajuku.
Tel: 03-5413-3072. www.
tokyosteampunk.com
For information:
Tel: (03) 3345-7977
FAX: (03) 3345-5377
J-STAR PATENT, TRADEMARK & IMMIGRATION OFFICE
Reasonable prices.
Free first time consultation
Performing Arts Meeting in
Yokohama
An international meeting for
the presenters and
audiences of performing
arts. Feb 7-15, various
times. ¥3,500 (presenter
registration fee)/ Free-¥2,500
(performance tickets).
Yokohama Creativecity
Center and other venues.
Kannai or Sakuragicho. Tel:
045-221-0325. www.tpam.
or.jp/2015/?lang=en
Ramen Girls Festival
An event for ramen-loving
girls! Enjoy delicious
ramen with your friends.
Mar 7-8, 11am-9pm.
Free entry. Yokohama
Red Brick Warehouse.
Minatomirai. Tel: 045-2111515. www.facebook.com/
RamengirlsFestival
http://www.wada-lats.com/
E-mail: [email protected]
3-5-3-1402 Nishi-Shinjuku,
Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0023
We can support you with:
Visa and immigration
Intellectual property rights
(Patent, trademark, copyrights)
Establishing a Company &
Branch office
Other Legal & Business matters
Hiroshi Oogai,
Patent attorney
Immigration lawyer
www.j-star.jp
Grand Prince
Hotel Akasaka
Exit 4,
Nagatacho stn
Supreme
Court
Imperial
Palace
Aoyama Ave
Akasaka
Mitsuke
stn
Akasaka
Excel
Hotel
Tokyu
National
Diet
Library
608 Kitano Arms 16-15, Hirakawa-cho, 2-Chome, Chiyoda-ku ,Tokyo, 102-0093
Tel: 03-5216-6890 Fax: 03-5216-6891
Email: [email protected]
Half-Fast Cyclists
Bicyclists of all treads meet
for slideshows, lectures,
ride-planning, etc. Every
second Wed, 7pm. Free.
The Pink Cow. Roppongi.
Tel: 03-6434-5773. www.
thepinkcow.com
Cute Girls in Ukiyo-e
Stitch-n-Bitch
Featuring ukiyo-e paintings
of Edo women and their
luxurious and colorful
kimonos, hair ornaments and
Meet fellow knitters,
crocheters and sewers to talk,
share ideas, eat, drink and
create. Every first and third
MORE LISTINGS
ONLINE → HTTP://
METURL.COM/
LISTINGS
JapanTravel
.com
FOR MORE
GREAT ESCAPES
IN JAPAN VISIT
JAPANTRAVEL.COM
27
Metropolis and its
subsequent Classifieds
section are printed every
other week. The upcoming
publication dates and
corresponding deadlines
for print are as follows. This
does not affect the online
Classifieds, where ads are
visible immediately after
they are approved.
fee required. New, clean
apartments, simple contract
system, full English support.
Call us today! 03-5437-5233
www.japt.co.jp
FRI, FEB 20 ISSUE
Deadline: Feb 12, 3pm
FRI, MARCH 6 ISSUE
Deadline: Feb 26, 3pm
1 AT YOUR SERVICE
1.2 HAIR & BEAUTY
1.1 HEALTH
I N N E R
BALANCE.
Tr a d i t i o n a l
oriental
treatment of
acupuncture
a
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moxibustion.
Also body
massage and
reflexology. Mobile service
to your home or office. Email
Takahito at innerbalance123@
gmail.com or see http://tmasuda.
wix.com/inner-balance.
ENGLISH-SPEAKING ADACERTIFIED DENTAL CLINIC in
Toranomon Hills offers a wide
range of preventive, corrective
and cosmetic dentistry. Superior
service focused on customer
satisfaction and convenience.
Open until 10pm. Modern
dentistry at its best. www.rmdcc.
com/english/ 0120-648-071
C O M P R E H E N S I V E H E A LT H
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payment options. Enroll today!
[email protected]
w w w.ear thhealthcare.jp
078-351-7300
SPORTS PHYSIOTHERAPY
(physical therapy) care in Hiroo.
Native English-speaking
therapists specializing
in sports injuries,
post-operative rehabilitation,
back/neck pain, running related,
headaches, orthotics, ergonomic
consultations and women’s health.
www.tokyophysio.com
03-3443-6769
T H I N K I N G A B O U T
ADVERTISING WITH
METROPOLIS? Platinum
¥32,400. Gold ¥27,000. Silver
¥21,600. Prices include one
photo. Bronze ¥2000 (photo
+ ¥2000). Prices are for 4 0
words, one print issue, t wo
weeks online. For details,
email us at commercial@
metropolisjapan.com.
28
CURLY HAIR SPECIALIST IN
TOK YO. English-speaking
Kiyoko, highly experienced
in NY’s curly hair salons,
takes care of curly hair at
her salon, Nepenji, in Ebisu.
Reser vations: 03 -3793 2357 or [email protected]
http://english.nepenji.net/
index_en.html
MEN’S BARBERSHOP IN
ROPPONGI WELCOMES
FOREIGNERS. Englishspeaking assistant will get
your haircut right. Haircuts
¥ 4 8 0 0. W i t h s h a ve ¥ 5 8 0 0.
Kids’ haircuts ¥4000-¥4400.
Fi r s t- t i m e d i s co u n t ¥1 0 0 0.
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TO A DV E RTI SE I N
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L AW OFFICE IN K AWA SAKI
(next to Tokyo), member of the
Yokohama Bar A ssociation.
Legal service in English for traffic
accidents, divorce, inheritance,
bankruptcy, business cases
(c o n t r a c t s , e s t a b l i s h i n g a
company, trademarks, etc.)
and other legal problems.
Email: [email protected] www.
sumikawa.net
VISA COUNSELING:
female immigration lawyer
handles your visa case.
Permanent residency,
naturalization, eligibility
(inviting your spouse/children/
workers from your country),
ex tension/change of visa
status. Consultation ¥5000.
OFFICE LIFE (Miho Fujibayashi).
Tel: 090 - 8330 - 0670 Email:
[email protected] Website:
http://officelife.jp/en/
CRE ATIVE SO LUTION S .
Specialists in branding, web design,
photo/video production. Drawing A
Crowd: a new approach in design. Get
in touch. [email protected]
2 FIND A PLACE
2.1 GUESTHOUSE
1.7 BUSINESS SERVICES
I M M I G R AT I O N L A W Y E R AT
N I PPA S H I O FFI CE s u p p o r t s
visa and naturalization
applications, company
establishment and branch
office installation, including
commercial registration, as
well as inheritance procedures
in Japan. Free consultation
available in English, Español
and Japanese. Tel: 03-62648446 [email protected] http://
nippashi.com
I M M I G R AT I O N S E R V I C E S
I N E N G LI S H . Yo ko y a m a
Administrative and Legal
Of fice will suppor t all your
visa needs: extension,
s t a t u s c h a n g e, p e r m a n e n t
r e s i d e n c e, n a t u r a l i z a t i o n .
Free consultation in
Kinshicho available by
reservation. Contact us at
03-5626-4139 or [email protected].
http://meturl.com/yokoyama
CREA-UN UENO. Furnished
private rooms, w/digital locks,
near Asakusa, Ueno, Skytree.
Safe area, female - only,
rooftop garden w/nice view,
BBQ space, free bicycle. From
¥56,000/m. Utilities included.
No key money/guarantor.
[email protected]
http://www.sakura-ko-bo.com
03-6912-0692
K ANAMACHI GUEST HOUSE.
Brand - new furnished share
rooms, separate male and
female floors, all rooms w/
digital locks, aircon, fridge,
1min walk from Kanamachi stn,
Chiyoda line ¥40,000/m. room@
airay-apartment.net 03-58764575 www.airay-apartment.net
PRIVATE FURNISHED
A P A R T M E N T S .
Odakyu line: MukogaokaY u e n / Yo m i u r i - L a n d - M a e ,
20/30min from Shinjuku.
Keikyu line: Hatcho-Nawate,
15min from Shinagawa.
1K~2LDK ¥58,000/
m~¥120,000/m. Tel: 044-9337000 Email:mh@minowagroup.
jp w w w.minowagroup.jp/
minowahomes
S E R V I C E D A PA R T M E N T S i n
a quiet residential area of
Hiroo. Studios and suites.
4min from Hiroo stn. Rates:
Daily ¥7800. Weekly ¥6850-/
d a y . M o n t h l y ¥ 570 0 - /d a y .
O ver t hre e mont hs ¥ 513 0 - /
day. Tax, utilities included.
frontdesk@azabucourt.
co m w w w. a z a b u co u r t .co m
0 3 - 3 4 4 6 - 8 6 1 0
APARTMENT IN
MIDORIGAOKA,
3DK, first
f l o o r, c o r n e r
unit , by park,
10min walk
from JR, Joban
and Chiyoda lines, all rooms w/
aircon, maintenance fees included
¥ 8 0 , 0 0 0 /m . P l u s o n e - m o n t h
d e p o s i t . N o k e y m o n e y, n o
commission. wildwest103@yahoo.
com 080-5464-0155
BRIGHT PRIVATE ROOM IN LARGE
LUXURY RESIDENTIAL VILLA IN
ASAKA, 14min to Ikebukuro, great
location, w/high speed internet,
cable and utilities ¥48,000. Furniture,
etc., available. No key money! villa.
[email protected] 090-6349-1296
2.5 PLACE WANTED
Ikkenya sought in Zushi, Hayama,
Akiya for less than ¥140,000/m. Garden,
parking, tatami, 55+ sqm, Apr 1 move-in
preferred. Photos required. johnlander@
yahoo.com ATION
Seeking temporary accommodation.
Hello! I can help clean your place and
cook. I also love to chat about culture
and living. I have traveled widely. I can
comfortably talk to anyone from any
background without any problems.
[email protected] 080-3776-9912
Deutsch und Japanisch. Japanische/r
Partner/in fuer Sprachtandem im
Raum Yokohama/Shibuya gesucht.
[email protected]
Engl ish and Jap anese. I'm a
Japanese woman seeking a language
exchange partner. I'm living in NY
and returning to Japan on Feb 20. My
English is not good. I want to keep up
my English skills. Around Machida/
Hon-Atsugi. [email protected]
English and Japanese. Hi, I'm a JF,
25, seeking a language exchange with
an English-speaking person. Shibuya
or Ikebukuro on Sun afternoons.
I'll help you with your Japanese.
[email protected]
English and Japanese. Hi! I'm
Japanese, 26, seeking a language
exchange partner. My English is ok,
but I still have trouble understanding
it when people talk fast. Also, I'd like to
improve my Japanese teaching skills.
[email protected]
English and Japanese. JF, 50, seeking
a native English speaker for Skype
or LINE. Happy to help you with your
Japanese study. snow1965happy@
yahoo.co.jp
English and Japanese. Hi, I am Shun,
22, male, in Tokyo. I lived in the UK for
10 months. I want to keep my English
speaking skills up. Would love to teach
you practical J. Look forward to hearing
from you. [email protected]
English and Japanese. I would like to
help you learn J if you need a partner
for practice. You don't need to teach
me back. Serious people only, please.
[email protected]
Engl ish and Jap anese. G ro up
language exchange every Wed, 7:309:30pm, at coffee shops around Ginza.
Most members are 20s and 30s. We
switch languages every 30min. Fun
events on weekends. Free to join. ando.
[email protected]
German and Japanese. Multilingual
JF seeks a conversation partner.
Let's meet over cof fee or beer.
[email protected]
German and Japanese. JF seeks Ger/J
language exchange partner. Seit Sechs
Monaten lerne ich Deutsch aber ich
spreche Englisch. F/M ok. If interested,
drop me a line. gardenstate2005@
hotmail.com
Korean and Japanese. Japanese
male, 41, seeks a native Korean
speaker for Kor/J exchange. I like
music, reading, cooking. I hope we can
learn from each other and have some
fun. [email protected]
Mandarin, Polish, English,
Japanese. Friendly Japanese woman
is seeking a female language partner
to improve her Engl ish / 普 通 話 /
Polski in Bunkyo-ku, TX line area. I
can teach you Man/Kor/J in return.
[email protected]
3.6 LEARNING: GENERAL
3 EDUCATION
3.9 TEACH ME!
English lessons. JM, 30, seeks native
English teacher for reasonably priced
lessons at a cafe in central Tokyo.
[email protected]
Hjaelpe mig med dansk! Leder efter
dansker i Tokyo eller Kanagawa. Jeg
taler lidt dansk og vil gerne laere mere!
Jeg kan hjaelpe dig med japansk. JF,
30s, ikke-ryger. Las os moedes og
snakke dansk og japansk med kaffe!!
[email protected]
4 HOUSEHOLD GOODS
4.1 FURNITURE & FITTINGS
Cabinet, corner (73x73xH60), dark
wood, glass door, w/two shelves inside
¥3000/obo. Photos available. tripeler@
yahoo.com 080-6581-4724
Frame, wooden, for painting, size F20
(73x61cm; outer dimensions 88x76cm),
in good condition ¥5000. turbo32s@
yahoo.fr
Sofa, leather, vintage, w/wooden frame
(200x80cm) ¥35,000/obo. Pick up only
Okubo. [email protected]
4.2 APPLIANCES
Heater, oil, in very good condition. New
¥14,900. Sell ¥6000. esom0eri@yahoo.
co.jp
4.3 SAYONARA SALE
Sayonara sale! Tables; desks; chairs;
dish cabinet; wardrobes; TV cabinet;
upright piano; flatscreen and tube TVs;
washer/dryer/stand; Panasonic fridge,
eco, 426L, as new; portable gas heater/
timer; convection oven; microwave; fan/
timer; and more. amyrita@workmail.
com 3-37296446
Sayonara sale! Metal shelf, three
available ¥2500/each. Plastic drawer
¥500. Washer ¥4500. Mannequin
¥3500. Coffee table ¥2000. Old bike
¥3500. Pick up Minami-Gyotoku.
[email protected]
Sayonara sale! Plant pots, air
humidifier, cordless phone, photo frame,
Japanese study books, PlayStation
Portable and five games. Details
available. [email protected]
4.5 AUDIO & MP3
Earphones, Apple EarPods, brand-new,
never used ¥2000. [email protected]
Headphones, JBL Reflect BT, wireless,
Bluetooth, black, as new ¥8500. kizuki.
[email protected]
iPod touch 5 16GB, limited edition, red,
brand-new, in box ¥16,000. kizuki.buy@
gmail.com
4.6 FOR KIDS
Baby gate, 67-90cm, w/baby-proof
swing latch ¥2000. Pick up Gotanda stn.
[email protected]
Bikes, girls’, two available: yellow, 12”,
w/supporting wheels ¥2000. Yellowgreen, 14” ¥4000. Pick up Oyamadai.
Details, photos available. melanie.
[email protected] https://sewingcircle.
wordpress.com/sale-fleamarket-2015
4.7 FOR FREE
Heater, gas, almost new, in excellent
condition, blue, on/off timer. Details
available. [email protected]
5 HOBBIES&INTERESTS
3.1 JAPANESE SCHOOLS
5.3 MUSICAL EQUIPMENT
Amp, Shelter 916 Phono, as new
¥60,000. Tokyo. [email protected]
2.2 RENT UNDER ¥200,000
ICHII CORPORATION.
Over 600 affordable, qualityfurnished apartments in
central Tokyo locations. No
key money/guarantor/agent
3.5 LANGUAGE EXCHANGE
Danish, German, Japanese. Hej
and 'N Tag! JF, 30s, seeks Danes
and G ermans to hel p her wit h
l a n g u a g e s i n To k y o / Ka n a g a w a
through fun conver sations over
cups of coffee or just hanging out.
Please be nonsmokers, late 20s-30s.
[email protected]
LE ARN JAPANESE . Come
learn Japanese with us.
You can definitely improve
your Japanese. You can
visit my website at www.
japaneselesson-nao.info.
sudesummerboy0524@
gmail.com 070-5027-7966
IKEBANA (JAPANESE
TRADITIONAL FLORAL
ARRANGEMENT) is a powerful
means of self-expression.
Tr i a l l e s s o n , i n c l u d i n g a l l
materials ¥4000. No Japanese
necessary. Certification,
diploma can be earned. Three
classroom locations in Tokyo.
Website: w w w.atelier-soka.
com/english/index.html
Email: [email protected]
Digital piano, Yamaha Clavinova
Series, full piano length, w/piano sounds
and hammer action keys (weighted like
a real piano), in excellent condition,
hardly used ¥70,000. applenyc@yahoo.
com 080-4610-1569
Drumstick set. Vic Firth Rute 606
wooden rod sticks, special ordered;
steel brushes; Vic Fir th Hickory
American Classic 7A; in excellent
condition ¥4000. Photos available.
[email protected]
The majority of classified ads have moved online! classifieds.metropolis.co.jp
Guitar cable, Fender California, red,
3.5m, in great condition ¥2000. Photos
available. [email protected]
Mixer, Vestax PMC 05 Pro mk III,
in excellent cosmetic and working
condition, kept in a nonsmoking
environment ¥ 15,000. Firm.
[email protected]
Tabla (Indian percussion instrument), w/
brand-new, high quality heads refitted
for both dayan and bayan, slightly worn
soft bag, two cushions, two covers, tuning
hammer ¥27,000. Pick up Kodaira stn.
[email protected]
5.4 BOOKS/CD/DVD
Japanese learning material. Pimsleur
Japanese I, II and III, in original package,
in excellent condition, each set contains
16 CDs, booklet, guide ¥21,000/all. mita.
[email protected]
174cm and 78kg ¥3000/each. Photos
available. [email protected] http://
navacmg.blogspot.jp
7.4 ITEMS WANTED
Acoustic guitar, free or very cheap.
[email protected]
5.5 GAMING
PlayStation Portable, five English
games, two batteries, bag, French
manual ¥4000. [email protected]
6 VEHICLES
6.1 CARS, PARTS, & ACCESSORIES
Benz C180 Wagon Kompressor, ‘05,
Avantgarde limited edition, black, ETC,
leather seats, Exon lights, aluminum
wheel, 120,000km, shaken until May
‘16, all taxes paid ¥695,000. Firm.
No dealers or auction sites. alinjap@
yahoo.com
BMW Z4, Dec ‘03, very clean, blue
body, black interior, convertible, as
new, 86,000km, right-hand drive, new
tires, 23 months of shaken ¥850,000.
[email protected]
Daihatsu Mira Avy, ‘05, kei car, well
taken care of, in good condition, very
low running cost, cheap registration and
shaken, w/six months shaken ¥60,000.
Details available. cameronhardy1982@
hotmail.com 090-4914-7686
6.3 BICYCLES, PARTS, & ACCESSORIES
Bike, Bianchi Pista (60cm), fixed-gear,
w/front Shimano 105 brake, as new
¥40,000/obo. [email protected]
Trainer, remove front wheel and attach
bike to ride in stationary position ¥3000/
obo. [email protected]
7 GENERAL
7.1 PHONES
iPhone 4 16GB, white, in great
condition, boxed, w/all paperwork,
n o h e a d p h o n e s ¥ 7 0 0 0. F i r m .
[email protected]
Video 8 player/deck sought to play old
video 8 cassettes and output the video,
must work, not VHS or Betamax. avoca9@
hotmail.com
8 COMPUTERS
8.1 SERVICES
7.2 FASHION
Bags, 13 available: Prada, United, Agnes
L, Furla, Gap, etc., in good condition
¥15,000/all. [email protected]
Shoes, men's, size US 12, slip-ons,
three pairs available: Ed Hardy, never
worn ¥1000. Vans, worn once or twice
¥500. Draven, worn once or twice, but
aged sitting in storage: free. Kaminoge
stn. Photos available. earlbrawley@
gmail.com
Suits, men's, various colors, patterns,
styles; some are tailor-made, some are
store bought; for man approximately
WEST PAPUA: ONE SOUL, ONE
PEOPLE . Fif t y- one years ago,
West Papua should have been an
independent country. Since 1969,
West Papua has been invaded and
the people robbed of their rights,
culture and country. Help support
West Papuans’ desire to be free.
http://tapol.gn.apc.org/ markhelp2@
gmail.com
ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS
TOKYO. If you have a problem
with drinking, we can help.
English-speaking meetings daily.
03-3971-1471 [email protected]
http://aatokyo.org
K A I C O M P U T E R S i s J a p a n’s
leading English online
computer store. We offer any
configuration you can dream of.
No corners are cut in designing
your system and building it
to your specifications. Build
your dream computer today!
w w w.kaicomputers.com
[email protected]
8.2 HARDWARE
iPad Air 16GB, wireless, silver, hardly
used, in very good condition ¥30,000.
Pick up Shinjuku or Ikebukuro. Photo
available. [email protected]
Power Mac, G5 Dual, 6.5GB memory,
2TB HD, 17" cinema display. Pick up
Oji. [email protected] https://
www.flickr.com/photos/80831849@
N04/page1
10 HELP!
10.1 HELP ME
Portfolio photos. Need photos for your
portfolio? I can help. I need to get more
experience in portrait photography, so
I'll share photos I take of you with you for
free. [email protected]
Seeking native French speaker.
Bonjour, I would like to meet up with
a native French speaker, preferably
within the Shinjuku area, in order
to help me translate some French
document s into Engl ish. Please
email me if intere s te d. Merci.
[email protected]
Sponsorship. Ten years' experience
in cafe/bar work, including working at
international hotels. I'd like to open
a cafe/bar, but need sponsorship.
Individuals and companies are welcome.
Please, if interested, let us come to an
agreement. samueladonkor@gmail.
com 090-6152-6274
HI V Peer Suppor t group a n d
workshops. Get together with people in
the same boat as you, who understand.
Held in a safe, considerate, 100%
confidential setting to discuss what’s
on your mind, ask questions and make
new friends. info@peersupporttokyo.
com www.peersupporttokyo.com
Infertility support group. TTC Tokyo
is an infertility support group that
provides informal opportunities for
women and men experiencing infertility
to connect with one another. Please visit
website for more info. admin@ttctokyo.
org www.ttctokyo.org
10.3 LOST FRIENDS
Seeking photographer Max. Seeking
Max (originally from Kyushu), a
photographer who lived in Tokyo House
(Otsuka) in the mid-’90s. His girlfriend’s
name was Rei. Anyone know their
whereabouts? Please let me know. Thank
you. [email protected]
NEED TO TALK? We’re here to listen.
TELL LIFELINE: free, anonymous
English counseling daily from
9am-11pm by trained volunteers
(03-5774-0992). TELL COUNSELING:
affordable multilingual
p s ych o t h e r a py by a ccre d i te d
Western-trained professionals,
a CIGNA International Provider
(03-4550-1146). TELL website: www.
telljp.com. Follow us on Facebook
and Twitter @TokyoLifeLine.
THE JAPAN HELPLINE, 24 hours
a d ay, f ro m a ny w h e re, a b o u t
anything. From emergency
assistance to simple questions. Visit
J O I N TH E B I G G E S T,
B E S T, M O S T P O P U L A R
I N T E R N AT I O N A L PA R T Y !
Great people, drinks and
food! Meet new friends
and party with nice people
in a friendly atmosphere.
E ve n t s i n To k yo (G i nz a ,
Azabu, Roppongi) and
Osaka. ¥1500- ¥2000.
http://english.gaitomo.com/
[email protected]
11.1 PERSONAL MESSAGES
SUBSCRIBE TO METROPOLIS
AND NEVER MISS AN ISSUE.
One year (24 issues) ¥3600
(corporate subscribers, 7-100
copies ok ¥22,560). Half year
(12 issues) ¥1800 (corporate
subscribers, 7-100 copies ok
¥12,000). Bank transfer or
credit card (Visa, Mastercard,
Diners Club). Detail s at
http://metropolisjapan.com/
subscription.
I NTE RN ATI O N A L PA RT Y
AT L E A F C U P. C o m e j o i n u s
and have fun. Men: ¥ 3000.
Foreigners/women: ¥2000.
All- you - can - drink- and - eat .
Iidabashi and Yokohama: Feb 7
and 21. Shibuya: Feb 14 and 28.
www.leafparty.com
13 CLUBS & INTERESTS
13.1 SPORTS
12 SOCIAL SCENE
12.1 LET’S PARTY
J A PA N I N T E R N AT I O N A L
PARTY - WINTER FESTIVAL.
Sat, Feb 28, 6:30-9pm, Bar
Quest (Roppongi). Japan’s
biggest international party.
250 people expected. All-youcan-drink and free snacks.
All-level tennis group in Tokyo.
Serious and motivated tennis players
sought by active tennis group to join
their weekly sessions in central Tokyo.
We have advanced and intermediate
groups on weekday evenings. Beginner
and low-intermediate also welcome.
No entrance or membership fees.
Reasonable participation fees. tokyo.
[email protected]
AMERICAN FOOTBALL.
N ihon Unis ys B ulls , X league
Central Division, seeks fit players
w/ US college football experience
for all positions. Practice every
Sat/Sun from 10am-3pm (including
meeting) in Tokyo/Saitama (time
and venue subject to change).
Attendance at practice must be
ove r 6 0% . Pl e ase co nt ac t fo r
tryout info and send your profile to
team admin. bullsxleague@gmail.
co m h t t p: // w w w.u n i s y s .co. j p/
football
A M AT E U R R U G B Y L E A G U E
PLAYERS. Japan ANZACS Rugby
League team is seeking Rugby
League p layer s for Japanese
Rugby League of f icial games
from Apr to Sep. Everyone
welcome. Contact for more details.
[email protected]
FUN WITH TOUCH RUGBY! Join
us for social or competitive touch
rugby every Sat at 2:30pm by Ariake
stn, Yurikamome line. Any age, sex,
level ok. Please email for details.
[email protected] www.
funwithtouch.com/where-we-play
PLAY RUGBY. The Tokyo Crusaders
are a friendly but keen international
rugby club. Devoted to the game and
its social side, the “Cru” welcomes
all players and supporters.
Established in 1990, the Cru plays in
the Shuto League 1st Division. http://
www.facebook.com/tokyo.crusaders
www.tokyocrusaders.com
13.2 LEISURE
SKIING AND
BOARDING
IN HAKUBA.
S n o w
package:
Dec 19-Mar
31; departs
Ikebukuro
Fridays at 7:30pm (11:30pm
arrival); two nights, one
d i n n e r, t wo b r e a k f a s t s ,
round-trip private bus,
two-day ski pass, live music
p a r t y ¥ 2 6 , 9 0 0. 02 61 -7 5 5155 info@more -resor t .
co m ht t p: // h akub a - hote laccommodation.com
Badminton club in Tokyo. Small
international group seeks players
from abroad. If you know basic
footwork, strokes and play seriously,
you could definitely enjoy playing with
us. [email protected] www.
geocities.jp/mune_albat/page4.html
Flag football players needed. Anyone
with experience in American football or
flag football interested in joining a team
in the Tokyo area, please contact me. We
play in the spring and fall. Thanks and
talk soon! [email protected]
Football /soccer players. Tokyo
Redstar, Setagaya League 1, is seeking
soccer players. Practice almost every
Sat/Sun in Tokyo. Players in a spirit of
fair play welcome. saito987@hotmail.
com http://tokyoredstar.com
Futsal in Tokorozawa. Sun night
futsal? Mostly 30-45 year olds, every
Sun evening, non-league, but mildly
competitive. Come and play for exercise
and fun! Any age and nationality ok.
[email protected]
Futsal players wanted by a very
friendly international team. Practice is
in Tokyo and Kanagawa on Sat. Details
available. [email protected]
A L L - N AT I O N A L I T Y TO U C H
F O OT B A L L . N o n - c o n t a c t t a g
rugby (OZ tag) and Rugby League
players. We play every Sat from
10am in Tatsumi. M/F and beginners
welcome! Good exercise and fun!
Many other activities, such as
BBQs and drinking parties! Email
for details. tokyorugbyleague@
hotmail.com ht tp: //ameblo.jp/
tokyo13warriors
WRITE A MESSAGE FOR
YOU R S PEC I A L SO M EO N E !
Write any thing, from bir thday
messages to proposals. http://
classifieds.metropolis.co.jp.
TA M B O U R E L L I . U n i q u e n e w
sp or t from S cot land . Using a
tambourine-like instrument as a
racquet, players hit a shuttlecock.
We play two or three times/month
on weekends in Meguro with many
socials. Join us! More details: www.
tamjapan.org/en/ info@tamjapan.
org
Don’s Half-Fast Flash-Mob Weekend
Urban Bicycle Rides. halffastcycling@
hotmail.com
11 MESSAGES
10.2 SUPPORT
iPhone 5 16GB, black, screen as new,
but slight scratches around the left and
right sides, w/original box ¥15,000. Firm.
[email protected]
Mobile phones, Pantone 4105sh,
SoftBank, pre-paid, two available (one
white, one black). New ¥15,000/each.
Sell ¥15,000/both/obo. laura-janey@
live.com
Japanese men: ¥ 4000.
Others: ¥3000. Mobile: http://
getyourfriend.com/mobile/
[email protected] http://
w w w.get your frien d.com /
090-1735-5405
Bike for tall adult male, free or very
cheap. [email protected]
Japanese study books, nine available,
basic, 2-kyu and 1-kyu preparation, 1000
kanji cards, etc. ¥3000/all. yannu@
hotmail.com
Playboy magazine, four classic issues
(US edition): Dec ‘88 (Kata Karkkainen),
March ‘91 (Stephanie Seymour), Aug ‘91
(Corinna Harney), Jan ‘92 (Swedish Bikini
Team) ¥2000/all/obo. Selling together.
Pick up Roppongi/Shibuya/Azabu or
chakubarai. [email protected]
www.jhelp.com/ and press “help,”
or call 0570-000-911. To volunteer
or support, please contact team@
jhelp.com. www.jhelp.com
Futsal team. Intermediate futsal team
in Tokyo seeking people who can enjoy
the game with others. Please introduce
yourself (age, nationality, where you
live, whether you belong to another
team). [email protected]
WEEKEND AWAY? Inn By The Sea
Kamakura, a 4min walk from
Hase stn, offers child-friendly
accommodation near the
D a i b u t s u , H a s e Te m p l e,
Yuigahama Beach and many
other Kamakura landmarks.
Find us on Facebook at
I n n B yTh e S e a Ka m a k u r a .
innbytheseakamakura.com
[email protected]
MACARTHUR HEIGHTS.
Ta ke a b r e a k w h e r e G e n e r a l
Douglas MacArthur did! One
hour from Tokyo by car or direct
train. Beautiful cabins on the
ocean, w/onsen, beach, shopping.
[email protected]
Free Japanese cooking. Japanese
housewife offers home cooking on
weekdays at her house near Kawasaki
stn. You just pay the cost of ingredients.
Women only, please. [email protected]
Tokyo ET contact group. Join us
beneath the stars as we endeavor to
make contact with ET visitors and their
craft. [email protected] www.
meetup.com/Tokyo-ET-Contact-Group/
events/193113322
Interested in tai chi? Then why not start
now? Take a step to counter the stresses
of daily living. Practice is in Toyama Park
on Sun mornings, near Takadanobaba
stn. [email protected]
International soccer club. Five-aside, 11-a-side, on grass fields. Two
or three practices/matches on Sun.
All nationalities welcome. Happy and
friendly club! We have many socials.
[email protected]
Jogging Yokosuka. SJM seeking
friends to jog 8-20km in Yokosuka,
mornings preferred, but depending
on the day, other times could work,
too. ジョギング仲間募集横須賀 .
[email protected]
Quality football. Interes ted in
playing football at the weekend and
training midweek? Want to enjoy a
few beers after a good run out? If you
consider yourself a quality player,
please drop us a note. bfcvagabonds@
gmail.com
Table tennis in Minato-ku. Hi,
our international team is seeking
experienced players. You need to be
living or working in Minato-ku and
commit to play ten times/year on
Sundays (all day). No beginners, please.
[email protected]
Volleyball Club Intervoll. Japanese
and foreign volleyball players gather in
Takadanobaba to enjoy playing. Have
volleyball experience and want to play
volleyball in a friendly atmosphere?
inter [email protected] http://
intervoll.sakura.ne.jp/
Women’s football club. Five-aside, 11-a-side, on grass fields. Two
or three practices/matches on Sun.
All nationalities, experience levels,
beginners welcome. Happy and friendly
club! We have many socials. djnorio@
hotmail.co.jp
A ski/snowboard club for
anyone living in or visiting
Tokyo. We go on big group
trips every weekend in the
winter. Powder, live music
events, and parties in
snow. Membership is free!
[email protected]
www.tokyosnowclub.com
050-5806-5616
13.4 MUSIC
Bassist wanted around Yokohama.
We mainly play rock music and have
rehearsals in Shin-Yokohama. Any kind of
player is welcome, so feel free to contact
us. [email protected]
Drummer wanted to complete a
four-piece band in Tokyo. Original
material—a compound of folk, Joy
Division, Neil Young, Dostoyevsky. We’re
all in our late 40s, but there’s plenty of
life in us. No Keith Moons. jbchanning@
gmail.com 08056594286
We need a bassist who can play RHCP
songs. We are starting a Red Hot Chili
Peppers tribute band. We have everyone
but you. All players motivated. English
or Japanese ok. Please inquire for
details. [email protected]
You're right! We can play guitar and
sing a song!‫‏‬Seeking a singer or singersongwriter. I'm a Japanese guitarist. I
play the electric and acoustic guitar.
Beginners welcome. Gigs in Tokyo.
Pop, rock, punk. kamikaze_vibe@
hotmail.com
29
Executive Sales Training
in Japan
One that really achieves results!
YOUR KEY TO THE SUCCESS!
INTERNATIONALLY PROVEN
CORPORATE OR INDIVIDUAL TRAINING
Improve your sales by 20% minimum
Full day course: 9AM to 5PM
Weekend or weekdays
For more information or inquiries:
[email protected]
Tel: 090-9978-3506
(9am - 5pm)
Frank A. Kasala, President & CEO of Future Technologies International,
has over 40 years of international sales experience and 17 years as a
corporate sales instructor.
30
The majority of classified ads have moved online! classifieds.metropolis.co.jp
JOBS
To advertise:
[email protected]
CHAT HOSTS AND TEACHERS WANTED
BY LEAFCUP in Tok yo, Iidabashi,
S h i b u y a , Yo k o h a m a . S e e k i n g
enthusiastic, prof icient English,
French, Spanish and/or German
speakers who can teach and lead
lively conversations. ¥1000-¥1500/h.
A p p l y o n l i n e : h r @ l e a f c u p .co m
www.leafcup.com/job.php
J A P A N T R A V E L I N T E R N S H I P.
J a p a nTr a v e l . c o m i s s e e k i n g
E/J bilingual interns to join the
largest tourism website in Japan.
Multiple opportunities in content,
sales/marketing and web/design.
Work in an exciting, global
environment in Roppongi.
Transportation and business expenses
provided. No salary, minimum three
months, chance for full-time position.
Please send your resume (E/J) to
[email protected].
WANT TO HELP CREATE METROPOLIS?
We’re seeking social media, web, and
editorial interns. Great opportunity
to gain experience in a multimedia
company ! To appl y, send intro
let ter, CV and relevant clips to
[email protected].
13.5 MIND, BODY, SPIRIT
Diamond Way Buddhism Tokyo.
Do you want to explore your own
mind? Guided Buddhist meditation
every Sun, 6pm, near Azabu-Juban.
International practitioners, beginners
welcome, Japanese spoken. Please
call 090-3598-3072 for more
information. [email protected]
www.diamondway.jp
Zen meditation (Zazen). You’ve always
thought it would be interesting to try
it—why not now? Join us Fri evenings at
Tokuun-in in Ueno. Make arrangements
in advance by email, and check our
home page. [email protected].
ne.jp www.wgthorpe.com
色ー度カフェ. ライトワーカーヒ
ーリング。任意の助けのための私
に連絡してください。 winds_fr@
hotmail.com
13.6 RELIGIOUS
Seeking a Baptist church? If you’re
seeking a Baptist church without
judgmental people, where everyone
is in normal clothes, and with many
English speakers, give me a call.
Meet at Higashi-Shinjuku stn, A2 exit,
Sun at 10:30am. [email protected]
08041554200
13.9 INTERNATIONAL
Intercultural activities. JII (Japan
Intercultural Institute) is a nonprofit, member-run organization
that sponsors activities (seminars,
cultural events, conferences) for
those wanting to further develop
03-4588-2277
STAFF WANTED AT THE NEW MATRIX
BAR, ROPPONGI. Seeking hall staff and
bartender. Working days: Thu, Fri,
Sat, day before national holidays. For
more info, please call 03-3405-1066
or email [email protected].
www.matrixbar.jp
SKI INSTRUCTORS WANTED. Accredited
English-speaking ski instructors wanted
at Nozawa Onsen resort in Nagano.
Start date: immediately. Compensation:
starts at ¥2500/h. Please email
CV to [email protected].
www.nozawaski.com 080-9083-2172
METROPOLIS is seeking a motivated E/J
bilingual admin intern. Transportation
and business expenses provided.
Ability to work three or more days/
week preferred. Please send E/J
resume to [email protected].
メトロポリスはバイリンガル（日英）の営業スタッ
フを募集しています。是非、私達の広告マーケテ
ィングチームに加わりませんか！ 応募条件：責
任感をもって勤勉に取り組める方、協調性があ
り、意欲を持って主体的に働ける方を募集して
います。営業経験のある方は歓迎します。フルタ
イム (Mon-Fri, 9:30am-6:30pm) で働ける方に
限ります。[email protected]
intercultural competencie s and
meet other interculturalists. yuko.
[email protected] www.
japanintercultural.org
Nihongo 倶 楽 部いんたぁなしょ
なる. Nihongo Club International is a
volunteer group to help foreign people
learn Japanese at the Tokyo Volunteer
Action Center in Iidabashi. Every Thu,
7-9pm. [email protected]
14 PERSONALS
14.1 FRIENDS
Aloha. American from Hawaii working
in Tokyo seeks friends. I have a fun
and kind personality, live and work in
central Tokyo, speak Japanese. Good
looks and nice smile. It would be nice to
get to know each other. johnb254611@
outlook.com
Coffee in Machida. Would anyone
from Western countries (especially
northern Europe) like to have a cup or
two of coffee together with an Englishspeaking JF, 30s, in/around the Machida
area? Please be nonsmokers, late 20s30s. [email protected]
Feminine guy. I am a feminine white
crossdresser, 35, living in Tokyo,
seeking friends, M/F ok, to go out.
[email protected]
In Tokyo. JF, 34, seeks foreign people
who are interested in seeing historical
places/architecture in Tokyo. It would be
great if we could have a nice friendship.
I can speak English. Nonsmokers,
punc tual , under 4 0 prefer re d.
[email protected]
Interesting yoga friends wanted. I'm
male, from England, calm, confident,
live a full life, love beautiful places,
intelligent, emotional people, seeking
friends who like yoga or maybe other
interesting, beautiful things for a chat
sometimes. [email protected]
Jogging mate at Yokohama stn.
English- and Spanish-speaking JM seeks
jogging mates with good personalities
for 8-20km. Any nationality welcome as
long as we can speak in English/Spanish.
[email protected]
To advertise in Metropolis, log on
at www.metropolis.co.jp/classifieds
or email your commercial ads to
[email protected].
14.2 MEN LOOKING FOR WOMEN
SUBMISSIVE SJM, 36, cute, is
seriously seeking a woman who is
into, or interested in, dominating
men. I am so submissive, with
seven years’ experience, that I am
happy to take whatever and serve
you in any way. slaveintok yo@
gmail.com
Active yoga spirit. Born in America,
38, lived near Santa Monica, my father
spoke German, now near Tokyo Tower.
Love artistic expression, restaurants,
fashion, R&B. Please live or work in
central Tokyo and be open-minded.
[email protected]
Are you game? White European male,
handsome, kind, witty, very hot,
living outside Japan, seeking a lady to
exchange passionate emails and sexy
photos. [email protected]
Black American professional seeking
nice lady. Hello, how are you doing? I
am in the Saitama/Tokyo area. I am
seeking a nice person to be friends
with, and if there is a connection, more.
[email protected]
Caring and cute SJM seeks attractive,
hearty, nonsmoking Western female
for friendship. I simply would like
to share fun, interesting, great
experiences with you. If you feel the
same way, just drop me a line. You
won't be disappointed. jinzaixyz@
yahoo.co.jp
Chinese, Singaporean, Indian...?
British guy, 30s, seeking non-Japanese
women to hang out with, maybe more.
It may seem obvious, but please only
contact me if you have time to meet.
No Japanese seeking marriage with a
gaijin, please! greenteais.yummy@
gmail.com
Curvy, voluptuous JF for new start
this year. Naughty, nice, sweet,
adventurous, open-minded, loving,
curvy, voluptuous JF sought. If you're
seeking a tall, handsome, manly
European, please send me a message.
[email protected]
Cute, interesting Japanese male
for SWF. Seeking attractive Western
female with a nice smile. If you are
interested in chatting over coffee or
nice food, please contact me. I am
looking forward to your message. Just
try once. [email protected]
Decent JM available. Seeking a
cheerful and mature lady. I'm 30s,
financially secure, living and working
in Tokyo, enjoying life. Let's have
dinner or drinks to get to know each
other first. Prefer non-Japanese. Just
casual dinner also fine. gb_0606@
yahoo.co.jp
Handsome, sweet, smart Japanese
male seeks SWF who seeks secret,
happy event s in her spare time
in Tokyo. Single or married ok.
Shall we begin to talk? I think this
opportunity will be a great one for us.
[email protected]
Italian boyfriend. Open-minded lady
sought by an Italian executive working
in central Tokyo. I'm good-looking and
love wine. You won't be disappointed!
[email protected]
JF penpals sought. Hi, I'm 38,
currently living in the UK. I'm seeking
Japanese female penpals, 20-30, to
exchange emails and snail mail letters.
Japanese only. [email protected]
Lonely, romantic married gentleman
seeks a lonely woman. I miss romantic
moments with a sweet woman. Can we
be friends? Sweet, attractive white
gentleman, 47, hopes to meet you.
[email protected]
Long-distance relationship with a
SJF. Seeking a SJF who wants a serious
relationship leading to settling down
with a family and kids. If you're
interested, please reply. No gamers.
Serious only. And if you're racist, don't
write me. [email protected]
Married Caucasian man for married
w o m a n. G e n t l e m a n, l a te 4 0 s ,
attractive, cultured and polite, seeks
similar woman. [email protected]
Married woman? Are you a married
woman? Bored? Your husband does
not have enough time for you? Are
you seeking some... spice in your life?
Then you need only contact me. Only
women. massimoalibrandi@yahoo.
com
Mature and sophisticated Japanese,
some have said charming, seeking an
elegant, passionate, kind SWF. I dream
about wild nights as well as sharing the
simple pleasures of love. Is that you?
[email protected]
Opposites attract. Balding, brutallooking, but nevertheless kind, witty
and fun Englishman, 40s, would like
to entertain a slim, attractive, chatty
woman in the evenings after work. E/J
ok. [email protected]
Pocchari JF? I'm an African currently
residing in central Tokyo. I'm seeking
a pocchari Japanese lady for a serious
relationship. No jokes, please. Serious
emails only. [email protected]
Romance by email for married person.
I miss simple, sweet romance. Married
with happy family and life, good job,
late 40s, European gentleman. vbcfgt@
hotmail.com
S e e k i n g c h u b b y, s e r i o u s J F.
European guy, 40, open-minded,
easygoing, honest, faithful, seeks a JF
who can meet up soon (not too many
emails) for a long-term relationship.
Let's meet up over coffee and talk.
[email protected]
Seeking girlfriend. Cool guy, 40,
kind, seeks mature JF, 40s-50s, for
romance in Tokyo. Let's meet up for
coffee and talk. Serious only, please.
[email protected]
Seeking large Japanese girlfriend.
Canadian guy, 40s, open-minded,
gentle, romantic, positive, seeks
overweight girlfriend for long-term
relationship in Tokyo. Serious only,
please. [email protected]
Seeking mature woman. Fun and
easygoing SJM, 57, into reading,
movies and swiming, living in Tokyo,
seeks a Caucasian lady, 50s, for
friendship. Would like to get to know
each other and exchange thoughts over
coffee or lunch. opentheuniverse@
hotmail.com
Seeking serious relationship.
European guy, early 40s, positive,
easygoing, gentle, romantic, lots
of hobbies, seeking female, 35-55,
open-minded, easygoing, enjoys
simple things. Speak Nihongo. No busy
people, please. [email protected]
Serious long-term relationship.
Single American of mixed ethnicity
in Tokyo, 45, medical doctor, kind,
caring, stylish and fit, seeks an
attractive Japanese female, under 40,
for a meaningful relationship. met4b@
aim.com
Single Italian seeking JF. I'm an
Italian professional, in the wine
business, seeking a JF for a serious
relationship leading to marriage.
Hope we share interests: art, travel,
dance, opera, wine, dining, concerts,
etc. [email protected]
Single mother sought by father with
6-year-old boy for meeting, having
fun and speaking English on weekends
with the kids. understanding_life@
hotmail.com
Single, handsome, caring and witty
SJM seeks a nice Western or Japanese
female for friendship and possibly
more. Nonsmokers preferred. If you are
interested in exciting and happy times
with me, email me now! cioinjapan@
gmail.com
Tall, dark, handsome American,
30s, speaks Japanese, seeks JF. Have
lived in and out of Japan since 2000.
I speak, read and write Japanese.
[email protected]
White for black. English guy, tall,
blue eyes, sarcastic, seeking black
girl, slim, gives as good as she gets.
What the heck do you write in these ads
anyway? [email protected]
Wine and language exchange,
maybe more? Wine and language
exchange first—let's see where it
leads. English city boy, 40, seeks
Japanese lady for friendship and
maybe more. [email protected]
WM in Tokyo seeking a pretty girl,
18-35. I am tall, white, with blue eyes.
I speak Japanese. chrischrisjapan34@
yahoo.com
14.3 WOMEN LOOKING FOR MEN
LAVISH DATES AND
INDULGENT NIGHTS—WE
C R E AT E O P P O R T U N I T I E S
for elite foreign males to meet
elegant Japanese females.
Start with a luxurious dinner
date, take the night where you
want it to go. Fresh, young
w o m e n j o i n o u r c l u b eve r y
day. Try our free one-month
trial offer: first date is on us!
0120-675-858 (English)
[email protected]
http://universe-club.jp/en
Elegant yet natural woman seeks
romance and love in a long-term
relationship. Well-educated, healthy,
charming European or North American
preferred. We all want a bit more
warmth in life. I'm mid-40s. Singles
only. [email protected]
Modest and humble SWM for serious
relationship. SJF, mid-30s, genuine,
down-to-earth, seeks similar man
who enjoys the simple things in life,
appreciates quiet nights with nice food
and music. Seeking serious relationship
only. [email protected]
No more drama. I am a chubby SJF, mid30s, seeking a boyfriend. I’m seeking
someone warmhearted and intelligent,
who loves music, movies, reading
books, cats. Black man preferred. No
games, please. happylovemusic0808@
gmail.com
Serious relationship. I love my job
and work hard in Tokyo. Late 20s,
seeking someone who is a hard worker
and seeking a serious relationship.
[email protected]
SJF, 33, seeking a guy. I speak English
and a little French. I would consider a
casual relationship as well if there were
a spark. [email protected]
Travelers welcome! Nothing serious.
Seeking nice, classy gentleman as
a companion for activities (dining,
movies/concerts, spas, etc.). I'm free
on weekday afternoons, too. I'm a JF,
mid-30s, slim, pretty. Please reply
with your introduction. amynakagawa@
outlook.jp
Very serious relationship. I'm seeking
a relationship leading to marriage—
and hopefully a child—with a mature
Western male. I have focused too much
on my career. I'm very healthy both
mentally and physically. Serious only,
please. [email protected]
Your perfect complement. You will have
a beautiful best friend, good chef, sexy
flirt and great listener to your dreams or
even problems. Sophisticated, little wild,
fit, educated SJF, 40+, seeks a sincere
single gentleman who works and plays
hard. [email protected]
14.4 GAY & LESBIAN
Friends and fun. Japanese guy, 27,
170, 65, good-looking, seeking friends
and fun in/around Tokyo. Please reply
w/face photo and stats. Thanks. kcv@
hotmail.co.jp
Versatile white guy, straight, a bit shy,
43, 182cm, 74kg, seeking a gay experience
with a Japanese man, similar profile. Drop
me a line if you are interested. No rush.
[email protected]
14.5 ESCORTS
ESCORTS have gone online.
To f i n d a l o v e l y l a d y
co m p a nio n , v i s it ht t p: //
classifieds.metropolis.co.jp/
category/personals/escorts.
S I N G L E S - O N LY D AT I N G
EVENTS EVERY FRI NIGHT for
foreign men and Japanese
women. Leave the event with a
new date! Always more women
than men. FREE if signing up in
advance! Otherwise, ¥2000.
[email protected]
www.exeo-international.com
14.6 AND OTHERS
SLAVE BOY. Intelligent Caucasian
American, 30s, seeking to be a slave
boy under a sadistic girl who is also
intelligent. I look forward to hearing
from you. Start as friends, long-term
possible. Serious only. darkbandit1@
hotmail.com
31
RELATIONS
LET’S LEARN SOME AMERICAN IDIOMS!
BY GRACE BUCHELE MINETA
American expressions are fun, if not a little bit odd. Honestly, I didn't notice
how unusual American expressions are until I started trying to teach them to
my husband. So far, some of my favorites are: “The lights are on but nobody's
home,” which refers to someone who isn't quite all there. They might just be
clueless, preoccupied or otherwise not picking up on important signs. “When
pigs fly” usually follows something that will never happen. For example, “You
want me to become a professional ballet dancer? Ha, when pigs fly.” “Penny
for your thoughts?” is a playful way to ask someone, “what are you thinking?”
“Curiosity killed the cat" means that being overly inquisitive can sometimes
put you in a bad situation.
アメリカの慣用句を習おう！
アメリカ人の言い回しは面白く、時にはちょっぴり変わっています。正直、私は夫にいくつか
の表現を教えるまでアメリカ人の独特な表現が変わっている事に気づきませんでした。私
のお気に入りの表現をいくつか紹介します。
「The lights are on, but nobody’s home」
とは
気が散っている人のことを指します。会話に付いて行けてなかったり、
うわの空だったり、空
気が読めていない人のことを表しています。
「When pigs fly」
とは、
まずありえないという意
味です。使い方としては、
「はぁ？私にプロのバレリーナになれって言うの？When pigs fly。
」
「Penny for your thoughts?」
とは、おどけた風に「何を考えてるの？」
と聞く時に使います。
「Curiosity killed the cat」
とは、好奇心をほどほどにしないと怪我をするという意味です。
■ Grace Buchele Mineta is an author who blogs and draws comics
about her daily life in Japan at www.HowIBecameTexan.com.
horoscope
BY CATHRYN MOE
♥ Love ¥ Money ♣ Luck
ARIES
Mar 20-Apr 18 ♥♥ ¥¥ ♣♣♣
TAURUS
Apr 19-May 19 ♥♥♥ ¥¥¥ ♣♣♣♣
GEMINI
CANCER
May 20-Jun 20 ♥♥ ¥¥ ♣♣♣
Jun 21-Jul 21 ♥♥♥ ¥¥¥¥ ♣♣
Uranus and the South Node of the
Moon meet for coffee this week in
Aries. Destiny amplified. The Moon’s
North Node is retrograde in Libra, and not all
makes sense. Some people seem to have lost
it, as energies are too subtle for them to keep up
with—and Mercury is retrograde, as well. However, you’ve made the big leap. You’ve cleared
the fence and can now walk calmly. Don’t stay
where you aren’t you; you belong wherever you
want to be: That’s the Aries way!
Feeling just a bit different these days?
The planet looks like it’s on its knees
on the news. Growing up’s hard and
can be painful, but it can’t be stopped. We’re in
an accelerated time-shift and see more of what’s
real. Some are moving faster than others, so those
we admired may seem a bit silly; others who were
obtuse now make sense. The Sun lights up your
career sector this week. Mercury retrograde whispers, “Don't sign yet”—but do keep your next step
within easy walking distance!
A person’s mood is everything. You
can read something and feel one
way, then have a whole different
take later. That’s why Mercury is responsible
for people acting in a most mercurial way. It’s
retrograde, non-threateningly. Your ruling planet
just wants a bit of fun and to pick up pieces of the
game that fell out on the way in. Wait! Mercury
begs you to reconsider. Give what you’re doing
patience, and you’ll see the fruit of your virtue
begin to take a shape that fits you perfectly.
You’re seeing with blinders removed.
Old beliefs just float away. Fear is
replaced with confidence and action,
and you’re becoming the one others need to
heed. The karma of the past is nothing like the
impending next stage of your life. With structures crumbling, you’re remembering what you
knew as a child. Life’s an adventure and you can
change it at any moment. Mercury is retrograde.
Check your options, but don’t sign anything just
yet! Be kind to yourself so romance can follow.
LEO
VIRGO
LIBRA
SCORPIO
Aug 22-Sep 21 ♥♥♥ ¥¥¥ ♣♣♣♣
Sep 22-Oct 22 ♥♥♥ ¥¥¥¥ ♣♣
Oct 23-Nov 21 ♥♥ ¥¥¥ ♣♣♣♣
Glad to be released from the old
paradigm and happy to see what’s
around the corner? Some can flow with
changes; others put up resistance—and there’s
merit there, too. You may be overwhelmed with
options as Jupiter retrogrades towards Juno,
while Juno moves retrograde as well. Your
backup is acting a bit elusive this week. The Sun
is opposite Leo, balance will arrive and you could
find yourself in a new romance. While it may slide
around, it could be rather sublime.
Itching to move on? It can happen in
the blink of an eye—not that it hasn’t
been building for some time. Your
awareness needs to pop through the surface
and march on through—which it will do, and then
you’ll be running to keep up. The pinnacle of the
pendulum has reached its zero-gravity point.
Chiron is exactly halfway through your house of
partnership; Mars has moved past. This is more
of a time to feel and enjoy it rather than analyze,
because you did exactly what you wanted to do.
When you think the road’s become
level, someone blows it up. One way
or another, paths are coming undone.
It’s not that there’s something wrong, it’s just that
what worked no longer does; and you’re not putting up with it. You’re at the end of one cycle that
perhaps has happened for thousands of years or
incarnations. Then you, an amazingly zingy spirit,
get to be here when the next cycle starts. But the
mindset’s in the early stages of development.
Stick around, we need you!
It really is mostly under the surface this
week. The preponderance of planetary
activity will be behind the scenes, but
you may find you’re a bit of a star in your career—
or you’re offered more opportunities than you
can handle. In any case, it won’t be boring. You
won’t be standing around with endless time on
your hands. Romance is completely intense,
entirely slippery and endlessly fascinating. Did
I say frustrating? Well, that too, because the
completion, the boundaries, are not quite yet set.
SAGITTARIUS
CAPRICORN
AQUARIUS
Jan 20-Feb 17 ♥♥♥ ¥ ♣♣♣
Feb 18-Mar 19 ♥♥♥♥ ¥¥¥ ♣♣♣♣
You usually see a situation without
feeling compelled to become the
authority. However, with Saturn in
your sign, you’re being forced to be the disciplinarian. Too many people and places have
been running amok. Initially, you may be aghast
at putting an end to the party—since you’re the
one people usually come to to ask where the
parties are! Checks and balances are an aspect
of any astrological or natural cycle. Saturn in
your sign makes you the parent. Lucky you!
Look outside yourself for validation,
and you’ll see funhouse mirrors
reflecting distortions of the truth. The
stress of the energies hitting the planet right now
are causing things around you to crack. Remember who you are: You’re best at creating from
the ground up. You may be feeling fed up but
actually have Job’s patience. You don’t have to
follow the status quo because soon it will cease
to exist. So what should it become? It’s your
oyster, anything you want. Just ask—repeatedly.
The Sun’s in Aquarius: You can enjoy
a birthday dance across the waters
of your wit and wisdom. Feeling like
you understand too much yet like you know
nothing? At our core, we are all one. Focusing
on that, take a break, let your mind wander and
allow streak-of-genius Uranus to crack through
to prophetic levels. You’re fighting to keep
yourself intact. Find some space, stand in your
own resonance. Know yourself so that you can
create what serves you, and then others, best.
Feel good with what you’re doing.
You’ve tried and tried, putting your
heart and soul into something very
important. It’s not time to feel total steadiness,
but know the tide has turned in your favor. Use
your radar: Your courage leads the way, but your
heart is the command center. Follow what you
know to be true, even in the face of deception.
Neptune, your ruler, handles both divine love
and ultra duplicity. The resources you need are
there when you stay on the path of truth.
Jul 22-Aug 21 ♥♥♥♥ ¥¥ ♣♣♣
Nov 22-Dec 20 ♥♥♥ ¥¥¥¥ ♣♣♣
32
Dec 21-Jan 19 ♥♥♥♥ ¥¥¥ ♣♣♣♣
PISCES
¥139.6
Average cost of a liter
of gasoline in Japan last
month—the lowest in
29 years—according to
industry figures
LINGO BOX
the small print
BY STEVE TRAUTLEIN
Saibā-kōgeki (サイバー攻撃) = cyber-attack
Furyōhin (不良品) = defective product
Ninchishō (認知症) = dementia
Shimekiri (締め切り) = deadline
Kaseki (化石) = fossil
I’VE HAVEN’T SEEN SO MANY DEATHS OVER SUCH A
SHORT PERIOD SINCE WE OPENED IN 1989.”
—Kazuomi Nishikiori, vice director of Tokyo Sea Life Park in Edogawa-ku, on the
mysterious demise of hundreds of bluefin tuna and bonito
STRANGE DAYS
⊲Sony
⊲
president Kazuo Hirai described the
cyber-attack against his company’s U.S. movie
division as being so sophisticated, it’s like it
came “from another dimension.”
⊲Meanwhile,
⊲
officials with the central government unveiled a plan to enlist private-sector
security experts to boost the country’s defenses against hackers.
⊲Archaeologists
⊲
in Fukui discovered a bird
fossil dating back to the Cretaceous Period,
about 120 million years ago. It’s just the second fossilized bird ever found in Japan.
⊲Residents
⊲
in Shika, Ishikawa Prefecture,
made a startling discovery in the early hours
of January 9: A man, believed to be North Korean, who washed ashore aboard a 10-meterlong fishing boat.
BURNING QUESTIONS
⊲Authorities
⊲
with the environment ministry
dispatched survey teams to try and figure out
why nori from the Seto Inland Sea has been
“losing its color.”
⊲A
⊲ man in Osaka filed a ¥42 million lawsuit
against IKEA over a defective bar stool that,
he says, collapsed and left him with a disabled
thumb.
⊲Officials
⊲
at the Japan Tourism Agency are offering municipalities in rural areas up to ¥5 million to promote initiatives encouraging parents
to visit with their kids during school vacations.
⊲The
⊲
central government has finally agreed
to conduct health checks on fishermen who
were exposed to fallout from U.S. hydrogen
bomb tests in the Bikini Atoll in 1954.
stats
86 Average number of minutes
Japanese high school students spend
texting their friends on weekdays,
according to a survey by Benesse Corp
10.23 MILLION Vehicles sold worldwide
by Toyota Motor Corp in 2014, the most
of any automaker
⊲The
⊲
mayor of Seoul said municipal officials
in Japan and South Korea should combat
soured bilateral relations by hosting “intercity
and private-sector exchanges.”
SEE YA!
HOLY CRAP
⊲Disgraced
⊲
researcher Haruko Obokata
missed the deadline for appealing an investigative panel’s findings that she fabricated data
in scientific papers on so-called STAP cells.
⊲Bowing
⊲
to pressure from LDP assembly members, Tokyo governor Yoichi Masuzoe reneged
on a pledge to enact an ordinance limiting secondhand smoke ahead of the 2020 Olympics.
⊲Agriculture
⊲
minister Koya Nishikawa met
Vietnamese president Truong Tan Sang in
Hanoi and asked him to relax a quarantine on
Japanese apples.
⊲The
⊲
central government has decided to allocate ¥150 billion in its fiscal 2015 budget
for relocating the U.S. military’s Futenma air
station in Okinawa. That’s twice the amount
in last year’s budget.
⊲Members
⊲
of a health ministry panel warned
that 20 percent of senior citizens in Japan
may be afflicted with dementia by 2025.
⊲Baby
⊲
food manufacturer Wadoko recalled
one of its products after a customer complained of an insect mixed in with the food.
⊲Meanwhile,
⊲
pub operator Watami says a patron found a metal screw in one of the bento
boxes made by its food-delivery arm.
at a glance
BY RODGER SONOMURA
MATTERS OF LIFE AND DEATH
⊲Authorities
⊲
at the National Police Agency say
4,113 people were killed in traffic accidents in
2014. That’s the 14th straight year the number
has declined, and way down from the peak of
16,765 fatalities in 1970.
⊲But,
⊲
for the first time, elderly people were
involved in more than half of all car crashes.
⊲A
⊲ U.N. conference on disaster preparedness
scheduled for next month in Sendai will include
a presentation about the “miracle of Kamaishi,”
in which thousands of students in the city are
said to have survived the March 11 disaster
thanks to a rigorous training program.
Small Print Updated Weekly
→ METURL.COM/SMALLPRINT
Compiled from reports by AP, Japan Today, The Japan Times, Jiji, The Tokyo
Reporter, The Mainichi, The Japan News, AFP, Reuters and Kyodo
33
the last word
Illustration by Christi Rochin
The first friend’s tsuya
was held in a temple. We
signed a guest book and
presented envelopes
with our condolence
money. In the front of a
room, the dead man lay
behind a floral display
and a portrait. A Buddhist priest chanted a
sutra. Solemnly, each of
us walked to the front, lit
some incense, and said
a prayer. Afterward, we
met with the family.
A ceremony in a temple used to be
common in Japan, but as I discovered, the
trend now is to hold them in a funeral hall.
The third tsuya was held in the intimacy of a private home. My colleague,
in her black dress, served as the moshu,
or chief mourner, and answered the door.
She ushered me into the living room
where several people sat, eating and
drinking. Nearby, resting on a trestle, lay
the coffin with our dead friend.
“Would you like to see her?” my colleague asked.
A panel in the coffin was opened for me
and I shuffled over. A little uncomfortably, I
looked inside. She had always taken great
pains about her appearance. Now, she had
no makeup. Her eyelids had been closed.
Her skin appeared jaundiced and waxy.
Over a beer, the other mourners and
I reminisced about the departed as we
sat in her room amid her furniture, books
and paintings. The evening wore on
and more guests arrived. Her brother
even made some racy jokes about her.
It became a little like a celebrity roast.
Still, the honesty of that homestyle
event has stayed with me. Laying out
the dead at home for friends and family
to visit was once common in Japan. In
Britain and in North America, a “wake”
was also once a familiar part of life.
Recently, a friend at work died unexpectedly. His wife called; he had never
woken up that morning. Stunned, we
realized that never again would we laugh
at his bad jokes or see him in his big,
colorful neckties. And we could never
tell him how much we liked him.
The Last Goodbye
The unique and moving
experience of funerals in Japan
BY GREGORY STRONG
FUNERALS
IN JAPAN
REMIND US
THAT LIFE IS
FLEETING.”
WANT
TO HAVE
THE LAST
WORD?
Send your article to:
editor@
metropolisjapan.com
I always knew if I stayed in Japan long
enough, I’d start going to my friends’
funerals. I dreaded that last goodbye,
but now it’s started happening. I’ve compared the funerals here with the ones
I’ve seen elsewhere—and I’ve learned
something.
Not long ago in Canada, I went to
“a celebration of a life.” In a hall, we
watched a slideshow with photos of our
dead friend and a soundtrack of his favorite songs. His best friends made some
touching, even funny speeches. At the
reception, everyone seemed appreciative—even upbeat.
Strangely, we never saw a body or even
an urn—our friend might well have been
gone on a long holiday. I felt cheated; we
never confronted our grief at losing him.
In Japan, a funeral, often referred to
as a sōshiki, is a much bigger deal, consisting of two main parts: The tsuya, or
“wake,” and the kokubetsushiki, or the
actual funeral service. There’s a lot more
honesty about death, too.
The night of his tsuya, his open coffin
lay among several huge bouquets at the
front of the small church he attended.
During the service, the minister recalled
that he liked to eat and to drink a little too
much. I smiled, thinking of those times.
Our friend’s wife and daughter came up.
In tears, they talked about a man who
always tried his best. Many in the church,
including me, began weeping, too.
On the following afternoon, the kokubetsushiki (funeral ceremony) was held
in the church for the family and his close
friends. After that came a scene that happens in most Japanese funerals. The
ushers moved quickly among the floral
displays, snipping off the flowers.
We took those flowers and dropped
them into his black coffin. His daughter
added her teddy bear and his favorite
necktie. Someone nailed the lid shut.
To my surprise, the ushers asked me
to help carry the coffin to the hearse, a
final service for a dear friend. The box
seemed heavy in my arms. We stumbled
a little on the steps outside. The phrase
came to my mind, “a dead weight.”
Then we slid it into the shiny black
hearse. The driver pressed a lever,
prompting a clamp to spring up and lock
the coffin in place. The family got into the
car, which drove them to the crematorium
and one last viewing.
Some people find it grisly that after
the cremation in Japan the immediate
family, even young children, pick up the
bones with chopsticks and transfer them
into an urn.
I think funerals in Japan are done
right. Death should be shocking and
emotional. That’s what grief is about—
letting go. There’s comfort in sharing.
Funerals in Japan remind us that,
despite smartphones and cloud storage, life is fleeting. Worth remembering
before that last goodbye is a Buddhist
saying, “ichigo ichie”—in this context,
“a once-in-a-lifetime encounter.” Each
meeting with those we love is to be cherished; losing them should be properly
mourned.
■ Gregory Strong is a teacher and freelance
writer in Tokyo
The views expressed in “The Last Word” are those of the authors alone and do not necessarily reflect the position or opinions of Japan Partnership Co. Ltd. or its partners and sponsors.
NEXT ISSUE
34
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