awa life#273

april 2013indigo – awa’s
cultural heritage

alysha kupferer(awa culture second prize)
Prior to traveling to Japan, I
had read about many of thetraditions we were going tosee and I had worked insmall ways already withnatural indigo and its
production. But after having
thefullhands­onexperience with all of theseprocesses in Japan, I haverealized that in order to truly
appreciate a tradition one
must first fully understandwhat makes it unique.
Uniqueness comes from thematerials of the tradition andeven more from the people
who keep it and the spirit inwhich those people preserve
it.
Theseelementsofuniqueness are what struck
me most during my study inTokushima. The materials of

how to make indigo (photo by alysha kupferer)

the traditions are special tothe place just as in many
traditions, but the manner inwhich the people ofTokushima
upholdthecharacter of the traditions isindigo - awa's cultural heritage ...continued on page 3

inside awa life this monthpage 3: indigo ­ awa's cultural heritage;
page 4: letter from suketo hoikuien; 5: irene's recipe corner;
page 6: japanese lesson; page 7­12: events & memoranda
1awa life is a monthly publication of theTokushima Prefectural International
Exchange Association (TOPIA)

Editors:

Emma Boardman & Martin Rathmann

Contributors This Month:

Alysha Kupferer, Irene Wachuga, Kazue
Inoue, Yoko Koyama

Tokushima Prefectural International
Exchange Association (TOPIA)
Clement Plaza 6F
1­61 Terashima Honcho Nishi
Tokushima City 770­0831 JAPAN
tel: 088.656.3303
fax: 088.652.0616
topia@topia.ne.jp
http://www.topia.ne.jp/

Download a PDF file of awa life or view theonline version by going to TOPIA's website!

show tokushima some love: awaglot
The literary corner of Awa
Life, Awaglot,
isa
combination of the words"awa" and "polyglot", whichmeans multilingual. Be it
fiction, non­fiction, prose or
poetry; funny, sad, long or
short, we want yoursubmissions! If you like towrite, then express yourself!
There is also a classifieds
section for you, ourreaders, to post ads in, but
a few rules do apply!

The following will not be
posted: Religious, political,

or commercial activities,businesses searching forclients or employees, things
the Awa Life editors deem
inappropriate.

If you have something you
would like to share with
the Tokushima community,
email the editors at
awalife@gmail.com !

BUT, you can totallysubmitthisstuff:

concerts, lectures, andother event information,
cultural, sporting, andother community group
information, etcetera.

cherry blossom at the tokushima central park (photo by martin rathmann)2...continued from page 1

precision work (photo by alysha kupferer)

distinctly inspirational. Even
though they hold these
traditions dear, they do not
simply keep them tothemselves. Rather, it isthat exceptional type ofaffection whereby the more
it is loved the more it must
be shared.
I feel touched to have hadthese enthusiasms sharedwith me. I felt both respect
and trust bestowed on me
by the mere fact that these
traditions were shown tome. Something like the very
specific ways that indigo iscomposted
seems
asthough it is a method thatmight be guarded, but I was
surprised to be so kindly
welcomed and to have all
my questions answered.
Never once did I feel like anoutsider ­ and this is themost remarkable part of myexperience. Over and overagain I encountered not justan enthusiasm to shareknowledge with me, but anenthusiasm to continue
sharing it with me withinvitations to come backand learn more at any time.
It seems to me that tradition
for the people of Tokushima
is not just a part of history,
but a point of authentic
pride. And they make thispridestrongerthroughsharing its uniqueness withothers.
In my time with the indigo
producers I saw the amountof labor that it took to create
dye from the plant andrecognized how valuable
the physical material is tothe people who work with it.
One little indigo plant holds
so much potential, but it
must be cared for and its
value recognized. The plantmust go from farmer toproducer to dyer in order for
it to realize its full meaning it
does not exist on its own.
These traditions are thesame. Their value is so
great that they cannot belooked after by one person
alone, but must be passed
between those who sharein enthusiasm and love forthematerials
andprocesses. I feel as though
I have been given a gift, alittle indigo plant, and now
that it is here at home inmy heart I want to respect
what I was given andcherish it... share it.
And watch it live.
3letter from suketo hoikuen

by kazue inoue
suketo hoikuen staff

It’s starting to feel like springis finally upon us, and thecherry
blossoms
areapproaching full bloom.
Spring is a season where
beauty can be found not
only in the flowers, but also
in the green of the trees –be sure to make the most of
spring’s natural beauty torefresh both your body andsoul. This month I will beshowcasing
anarticle
published in last month’s
issue of parenting magazine
Cooyon;“Raising
anindependent child: Theadult mindset”.
1. Demonstrate each action
slowly; children masteractions through the processof imitation and repetition.
2. Establish procedures
when demonstrating; thiswill improve the child’s
ability to anticipate andplan.
3. Adult’s actions define
what can or cannot be done;
creating an environment
which is easy to tidy iscrucialtothechildmastering tidying skills.
4. Be on hand to offer help;
Offer casual support whilst
respecting the child’s desire
to attempt things forthemselves.

4ai no yakata(photo by martin rathmann)

5. Allow the child to repeat
actions for as long as they
desire; children love torepeat actions they havemastered – this should beindulged without complaint.
Reference these points
when you find something
you would like your child tomaster!

This month’s craft:
Paper Glider

Materials:

Sheet of paper (origamipaper size)
Paper Clip

Instructions:

1. Cut and fold the paper asshown in (1), (2), or (3)2. Attach the paper clip tothe bottom

How to Use:

When released from a highplace, the glider will spiral tothe ground.

irene's recipe cornerby irene wachuga

Spring is a time to enjoy
delicate new shoots andflowers. In Japan it alsosignifies new beginnings,
be that at school or work.
For some, it can mean
the start of preparing adaily “Bento”.
Fill that veggie space inyour packed lunch ordinner plate, with these
simple recipes:

NANOHANA withmustard(rape blossoms)
Ingredients: (serves 4)

1 packet/bunch of rape
blossoms (washed)
1 Tbsp of soy sauce
2 Tsp of spicy mustard(karashi)
1 Tbsp of white miso
2 Tbsp of dashispring greens

5. Add the nanohana andmix thoroughly.
6. Serve chilled or at room
temperature.

ASPARAGUS withmayo and avocado
Ingredients:(Serves 4)8­10 stems of green
asparagus½ small size avocado
1 Tbsp of mayonnaise
Preparation:
1. Bring lightly salted 1 Tbsp of lemon juice/water to boil in a large white vinegar
Salt and pepper to tastepot.
2. Boil nanohana for
about a minute, until it is Preparation:
soft but retains a firm bite. 1. Snap the lower, tough3 .Drain and dip in cold edges off, and lightlywater.
Squeezethe boil the asparagus inexcess water and cut the lightly salted water for2­3 minutes.
nanohana in half.
4. In a separate bowl, mix 2. Drain and shake inthe remaining ingredients ice cold water. Drain
excess water.
together.

3. In a bowl, peel andmash the avocado. Add
the lemon juice andmayonnaise. Blend well.
4. Cut the asparagus
into bite size pieces andmix it into the dressing.
5. Serve.
* Sprinkle some crushedunsalted peanuts for abit of crunch.

5japanese bylesson
yoko koyama
You hear noises coming from a nearby apartment – what’s happening inside?

Answers

Thegrammar point is frequently used in the first person todescribe what you are doing . Actions which will be commenced immediately takeand actions just completed takeAn action
occurring at the time of description is described using

Which of the following shows “good timing” on the part of B?

The answer is #1. B’s timing is perfect. In scenario #2, B’s phone call is badly
timed. In Japanese,
implies the quality of timing regarding thatparticularsituation.

Let’s Practice! Fill in the gaps with appropriate phrases.
(Meeting someone)(On campus)(Lunchtime at work)(Example Answers)

6

events & memoranda
Let's Speak Queen's English
For those who have studied in theUnited Kingdom, have an interest in or
are missing Great Britian, or just want totalk about culture and literature, why not
speak Queen's English with Britishpeople?
()

When:

Where:
Tel090­9555­7776

Tel:

20. April (Sat)
10.30­12.00
every 3rd Sat./monthKomatsushima
Central Community Center090­9555­7776

Shiozuka Highlands Field Burning
Running along the borders of Tokushima & Ehime
Prefectures, the 1043m Shiozuka Ridge issurrounded by a plateau of around 100 hectares.
Timed with the arrival of spring, this event will see
20 hectares of the area burnt to the ground. The
focal point of the event is the grandeur of theshapes
drawn
bytheorangeflames.

When:
Where:
Info:
Tel:
URL:

6. April (Sat) 18:00 ~Shiozuka Highlands Camp Site
Shiozuka Highlands Camp Site
0883­86­3077
http://www.yamashiro­info.jp/shiozuka/

7events & memoranda
Hana Haru Festa 2013
The Hana Haru Festa is Tokushima’s big springevent! Famous dance troupes roll out throughAibahama Park (close to Tokushima station),
displaying
theirelegantandenergetic
interpretations of the Awa Dance; Tokushima’s
favourite Ramen restaurants congregate for thehighly regarded Tokushima Ramen Expo; there isan Awa Odori Dance contest; traditional craft
booths offer hands­on experiences including
Indigo dying and more! Tokushima’s charms arecram­packed into this 3 day event, so be sure tonot
missout!
When:
Where:TEL:
URL:

April 19th (Fri) – 21st (Sun)
Tokushima City(Awa gin Hall, Aibahama Park,Shinmachi Riverside Park & more!)088­655­7331
http://ameblo.jp/hanaharu­f/Tokushima LED Art Festival 2013
Starting with Nichia Electronics (developer of theblue LED), Tokushima is home to a large numberof LED related companies, gaining it the name
“LED Kingdom Tokushima”. This year the city will
once again play host to Tokushima’s LED Art
Festival, which sees around 50 art groups fromJapan and abroad lighting up the aquapolis that isTokushima.
When:
Where:
Info:
Tel:
URL:

820.April (Sat) ~ 29.April (Mon.);
10 days.
Tokushima City (Hyotan Island area)
Tokushima LED Art Festival
Implementation Committee
088­621­5225
http://tok­led­artfest.net/

events & memoranda

9events & memoranda

10events & memoranda
The First Grader (movie)

English with Japanese subtitles. Info andapplication at JICA Shikoku (087­821­8824).

When:
Where:
Cost:

7. April (Sun), 14.00 ~Wakimachi Theater
Free

11

events & memoranda
The Economics of Happiness (movie)

English with Japanese subtitles. Info andapplication at JICA Shikoku (087­821­8824).

When:

14. April (Sun) 14.00 ~Where:
Cost:

Asty Tokushima
FreeCounselling Service at TOPIA
TOPIA offers a counselling and advisory service to all foreign residents to help withissues involving accidents, working conditions, housing, visas, international marriage,and more. Counselling is available in English and Japanese. Please note that
although every effort will be made, we may not be able to deal with all cases.
Monday to Friday, 10:00 ­ 16:30
Tel. 088­656­3303 or 088­656­3320(allows three­way conversations with an interpreter)12