Misadventures in Translation

I had an excellent Merry Hot Fantasy Christmas here in Japan. I would have posted sooner, but I’ve been too busy and not even near my computer.

This past Friday (22nd) was Akeno Junior High School’s Bounenkai (Forget-the-year Party). It’s a time for all the faculty to get together, reflect on the year, and get teetotally hammered. Ichijikai (First Party) involves everyone eating and drinking A LOT. Sometimes, the parties involve party games. At this year’s Bounenkai, we had a quiz show game over the past year’s events. There was even even a question about whether or not I’m capable of eating natto (fermented soybeans). Natto has a horribly bland taste, but I can eat it.

The calm before the storm.

If only I could understand what they say…

Check out my sweet bow-tie.

I was on Team Santa with my Principal. We totally owned everyone with my exceptional Japanese skills (I cheated). Our prize? Cheap Japanese junk.

At nijikai (second party), the party breaks up into smaller groups. The different groups go to their favorite yaki-tori/ramen/niku-yaki shops, bars, or karaoke. I chose karaoke yet again. I can’t sing worth crap, but all my coworkers think I do. So, I get unnecessary positive reinforcement. When I return to the U.S., I will receive constant jeers.

Putting beer caps in your eye and then singing takes skill. It’s a cornerstone of Japanese culture.

You can see all the pictures from the Bounenkai here.

After nijikai, those left standing always go to sanjikai (third party). This usually involves more shady establishments. I better not receive calls from Japan 18-20 years down the road…

After the Bounenkai, I crashed at my principal’s house. He has wanted to me to visit for a long time, but my weekends had been too busy. I didn’t realize that staying over at his house for one night would turn into three nights. This was just fine since the family was extremely hospitable. I got crap-tons of food, a Christmas present (underwear, socks, and wine), Christmas cake, and a lot of Japanese practice. Also, I got three free onsen trips. Nothing helps male bonding like getting naked together at the public bath. We even washed each other’s backs…. Principal Furiya goes to the onsen everyday, so everyone there knew him.

During my three day stay, I helped my principal trim back the shrubbery in their garden. A couple of trees were too tall for ladders and the principal had to borrow his friend’s cherry-picker. I was like a little kid and enjoyed riding in the cherry-picker. The weekend was also spent helping his fifteen year-old daughter practice her English and do her winter vacation homework. After describing my brother, she was said she would like to meet him when he comes over here. I’ve got plenty of other girls lined up as well. It must be his long flowing locks.

This is my principal’s house. It’s an old farm house surrounded by peach and grape farms. The house seems to have been part of a few generation of the Furiya family.

Christmas in Japan is just as fun as an American Christmas. It lacks the same feeling, but all the fun stuff is still there. Christmas songs (sung horribly), Christmas cake, Christmas dinners, Christmas lights, and Christmas presents. These things aren’t as prominent as in America, but they are there and most Japanese enjoy Christmas even if they have no clue about its origins. Fried Chicken is considered a Christmas food due the brilliant marketing of KFC. Christmas Cake is much different than an American cake or pie. Christmas Cake is like angel food cake covered with icing and fruits. Christmas Cake isn’t supposed to be eaten after the 25th. Since Japan hasn’t had it’s femine revolution, girls that aren’t married by the age of 25 can be called the slightly derogatory term of christmas cake.

Wednesday (27th), I went snowboarding with several other foreigners who didn’t go home for winter vacation. We went to Fujimi Panorama in Nagano-ken. Fujimi Panorma has the best course that I’ve been on yet. Fujimi has a 3 km course that requires a long gondola ride to the top. It was a great day for snowboarding. It wasn’t too cold. The skies were clear and the view from the top of the mountain was fantastic.

Gareth, Me, Julia, Brian, Sachi, and Shereena at the top of the 3km run.

Two Wild and Crazy Guys

Julia (from Singapore) and Gareth (from England)

Ain’t no mountain high enuff’

Mt. Fuji from inside the gondola.

The bunny slope.

You can see all the pictures from Fujimi Panorama here.

Today, I got my christmas candies from America. Only four months in Japan and my taste palette has already changed significantly. I ate only a few pieces and felt sick. American candy is too sweet. It’s a good thing I have many friends to give this stuff to. There’s no way I can eat all this. The only safe stuff would be the jelly beans, pretzels, gum, and nuts.

Thanks for all the candy. Too bad it makes my stomach turn.

Saturday, I will head down to Gamagori-shi, Aichi-ken to visit my host family again. I’ll be spending a little over a week with them. I’ll be celebrating New Years with them and taking trips to some of the more interesting things in the area. I’ll probably head up to Japan’s ancient capital of Kyoto during my week-long stay.

Now, for your Japanese moment of zen:

Japanese style can be very unique. For women, go-go boots are very popular. Most young Japanese girls wear the go-go boots with short skirts or short shorts.

When they wear normal boots, they tuck the pants into the boots.

Another well-known style is ganguro (literally “blackening the body”). Basically, the girls get a heavy tan and wear lots of make-up and accessories. I’ve only run into a few ganguro girls. None as flamboyant as this since the above is an advertisement. However, there are way more flamboyant ganguro girls in existence. I suppose the heaviest concentration of ganguro girls in Harujuku or Shibuya. Only a small percentage of people actually follow this style.

This is an interesting look at ganguro girls. The subtitles are decent, but not entirely accurate. It’s a pretty funny look at a niche subculture within Japan. If you can’t see the video, follow this link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=blUMErw6VBU

This video is great since it shows off some horrible English. The best part is Dr. Nakamatsu’s Formula for Sexual Sensitivity. There’s a formula? If you can’t see the video, click this link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_eptqUDh30

I wish every one was a ganguro girl…