aWa life

February 2023

Introducing Kaiyo's CIRs

It Seems My Cat
Has Siamese Blood

Introduction to Aizumi
International Exchange
Association

Gairaigo Galore:
ヒレ、ヘレ、フィレ

# 387

1

Awa Life is a Monthly Publication of the Tokushima
Prefectural International Exchange Association

While we had some very cold days and even snow in December and January, February probably won’t
be much different, so why not spend some time in your warm home and read a bit? The current andpast Awa Life issues would certainly be some good reading material but there are also other English
language options to know more about Tokushima. For example, did you know that there are two CIRs
(Tony and Gwenafaye) working in Kaiyo-cho in the southern part of Tokushima? Check out their article
on page 3 and scan the QR code for more information about Kaiyo and their approach to internationalization and English language education in the small southern community. There is also a great blog so
you will surely have enough to read!
For all of those who like writing, please feel free to submit an article to us at any point in time aboutbasically anything. There are a few limitations though, such as you can’t write about religion, politics,
commercial activities or businesses or anything that we deem inappropriate. But, other than that, we
would be more than happy to receive articles about anything and everything including but not limited
to concerts, lectures, other events, culture, sports, community group information or anything cool that’s
happening in your local community.
We highly appreciate all of your articles and we love reading them. So if that writing bug of yours isbuzzing about, grab a pen or a computer and write and send away! Please send all submissions to ouremail:

awalife@gmail.com

Your editors,
Sydney and Nico

Tokushima Prefectural International Exchange Association (TOPIA)
1-61 Terashima Honcho Nishi, Tokushima City 770-0831 JAPAN, Clement Plaza 6F
Tel: 088-656-3303 Fax: 088-652-0616
http://www.topia.ne.jp/
Download a PDF file of awa life or view the online version by going to TOPIA's website!

Editors:
Sydney Bartig and Nico Bohnsack
Contributors This Month:
Kaho Komori, Tony Lu, Gwenafaye McCormick, Mako Kobayashi, Yoko Tomotaki, and Fusa Tamaki

Contents

Pg. 2-3: It Seems My Cat Has Siamese Blood2

Pg. 3-4: Introducing Kaiyo's CIRs
Pg. 5:

Japanese Culture and Reading Corner: 針供養

Pg. 5:

Gairaigo Galore: ヒレ , ヘレ , フィレ

Pg. 6:

Introduction to Aizumi International Exchange Association

Pg. 7:

Japanese Lesson

Pg. 8-9: Events and Memoranda
It Seems My Cat Has Siamese Blood(Shikoku University International Exchange Association Award)
By: Kaho Komori (2nd year student at Kokura High School in Fukuoka)I

went to a Thai restaurant. The unusual figurines
at the entrance made me a little hesitant toenter, but I was drawn in by the sound of Thai folk
music, the image of elephants walking leisurely
on the store’s TV, and the Thai cityscape.
I have always had a strong love for Thailand.
One of the reasons for this is a friend I had who
lived there for 6 years. After meeting her in middle
school, my interest in Thailand continued to grow.
Listening to her talk about eating out at foodstalls in Thailand or planting mangrove trees inthe summer… for myself who had always lived inJapan, it was so refreshing to hear stories about
a different environment and culture, and I foundmyself thinking “I want to go to Thailand!”.
Just around that time, one of my favorite artists
participated in a music event in Thailand, further
strengthening my interest in the country. The
members spoke Thai with the local people and,
although I didn’t understand what they weretalking about at all, it left me feeling very cheerful.
This may be due to the fact that a characteristicof the Thai language is that sentences often end
with the vowel a, or contain a large number ofgeminate sounds.
When looking at Thailand’s cityscape, you candefinitely feel a sense of freedom and openness.
The buildings, the tops of the food stalls, andeven the cars… everythingis so colorful that just looking
at them makes you feel likeyou’re seeing an extraordinary
scene. Even when I’m feeling
down, passing by that street lifts my spirits. Since
then, it has been my dream to ride in a tuk-tuk.
Tuk-tuks are a 3-wheeled taxi often found insoutheast Asia that are brightly colored, befittingof southern countries. Since they have nowindows, you can thoroughly enjoy the openness
and colorfulness of the Thai cityscape. Actually,
after learning that their roots are in Japan, I’ve
begun to feel a sense of kinship.
Speaking of kinship, the food I had at that
restaurant, although it was my first time trying it,
had a sense of familiarity to it.
My mom also went with me to the restaurant, andwhile listening to the music, she remarked on how,
“Even in Thailand they have traditional music witha slow tempo, just like Japan’s enka or the music
you would hear in a Chinese restaurant.” Maybe
it’s because we’re the same Asian countries.
Although different cultures, I felt that we weren’t
completely different.
While looking at the pictures on the wall of Thaifolk clothes, fully enjoying the Thai cuisine, andlistening to the waiter’s bright “khàawp khun”

3greeting, my mom and I left the restaurant
extremely satisfied, feeling like we had gone ona mini trip to Thailand. Actually, encounters withother cultures come every week. When I was afirst year in high school, my homeroom teacher
recommended that I read newspapers in English.
I started reading to familiarize myself with English
words relating to current events, but now it has
become one of my favorite things to do on theweekends, as I can learn about the life of a panda
during a heatwave in Spain, or an incident thata couple in Massachusetts faced. When I readnews about countries I have never been to, I feelas though I can see the different perspectives
from that country. When I’m curious, I try to
imagine and then look up what people from thatcountry wear, what they eat, and how they spend
their time.
Recently, an article about the rising prices offrench fries in Belgium left an impression on me.
It’s embarrassing, but when I thought of Belgium,the only thing that came to mind was chocolate.
However, when I looked it up, I was quite

surprised to learn that Belgium is the origin of
french fries. That discovery made me feel closer
to the country of Belgium.
Learning about other cultures is so exciting, andwhen I find some kind of connection to myself,
it makes me feel so happy. I feel as if I getcloser to countries that only yesterday felt so far
away, and whose way of life I could have neverimagined. I think that the first step to multicultural
understanding is to have an interest in and wantto know about cultures that you know nothing
about.
As I write this essay, my desire to visit Thailand
only grows stronger. I’m looking forward toactually visiting Thailand, enjoying things that can
only be experienced there, and fostering a closer
bond with Thailand.
*Note about the title: In Japanese the word
“shamu” is both the word for a Siamese cat andthe old name of Thailand.

Introducing Kaiyo's CIRs

By: Tony Lu and Gwenafaye McCormick
ello there, we’re Gwenafaye and Tony, acouple of JET Programme CIRs based in
Kaiyo. Gwenafaye is the
new CIR on the block,having arrived at the
beginning of August andhailing from the greatstate of Alabama in the
U.S., whereas Tony, whocomes from sunny Sydney,
Australia, has been here
since November last year.

Hof this great space to formally introduce
ourselves, and our roles in Kaiyo as a couple of
its English-speaking
representatives!

For those who
haven’t yet madeit to our neck of
the woods, Kaiyo
is a quiet coastal
town tucked awayin the deep southo f To k u s h i m a
We’ve recently noticed
p r e f e c t u r e .
that there have been
Surrounded by calm
many articles in Awa Life
seas and mountains,featuring Kaiyo. We’ve
we have a number ofreally enjoyed hearing
internationally-known
CIR’s running the "Global Kaiyo" festival standvisitors’ impressions of oursurfing beaches and sohome and what you all have found attractive attract countless surfers throughout the year.
about the town. We’d like to take the opportunity

Introducing Kaiyo's CIRs

4

However, like many other small countryside towns
across Japan, Kaiyo also faces many unfortunate
realities, such as a declining birthrate, an aging
population, and sparse public transportation.
Despite these challenges, the town definitely
has big aspirations, eyeing revitalization in partthrough a plan to improve English education andfoster global understanding.

detailing our visits to different spots around town
in both English and Japanese. Recently, we
visited Namikiri Fudoson, a local temple that wasfeatured in the cover photo of September’s Awa
Life! Through this series, we hope to both open up
Kaiyo’s attractions to an international audience,
while showing our Japanese-speaking audience a
foreign perspective on local spots.

The Kaiyo Board of Education set out full force
towards this objective in 2019, and since thenhas introduced a number of enhancements
and revisions to both the role of ALTs in thelocal school system and the actual delivery ofEnglish education. These adjustments have seen
measurable improvements in student’s overall
English ability acrosselementary and junior highschool.

Our most recent event, which you might haveheard about, was the “Global Kaiyo” tour
(read more via the QR code!), where juniorand senior school students used their English
aptitude to guide participating ALTs on a tour of
their hometown. Fourteen students guided six
Tokushima ALTs from four different countries
around Kaiyo in July, making it the largest event
involving students thatwe’ve held in town since
the COVID-19 pandemic
began.

Particularly in the lastyear with our arrival as
It turned out to be a
the town’s first few CIRs
great success, attracting- Tony, Gwenafaye, andprefectural media outlets,
previously Sean - thistourism agencies andobjective has expanded
even the mayor himself
beyond school grounds
who swung by for a swing
and into the Kaiyo
at the watermelons duringcommunity. Our efforts
the suikawari!
h a v e b e e n f o c u s e d o n CIR’s giving a presentation at the "Iki-Iki Salon"
raising awareness of and fostering interest in
foreign peoples and cultures through interaction, Moving forward, the Kaiyo Board of Education
with one of our goals being to instill motivation to looks to create an environment where students
learn English through increased exposure, and and townspeople can naturally encounter foreignopportunities to make use of their skills. With this culture, languages, and people with hopes ofand other goals in mind, we have pursued wide- establishing Kaiyo as a town where everyone hasreaching and community-focused initiatives such unfettered access to all the tools and resources
as English support for local businesses; the “Iki- one might find in an urban center. So if you’re
Iki Salon”, a communal gathering for the elderly ever passing through or coming to Kaiyo, we
where we present and discuss places in our encourage you to greet the local children inhome countries; and the Global Café, an English English!
conversation class for adults.
We hope to keep you updated
We also operate a website, globalkaiyo.com! Here, h e r e i n A w a L i f e a b o u t o u r
we keep townsfolk updated on our activities and ongoing work and events in Kaiyo,
the various events we hold, while also promoting so watch this space!
Kaiyo to non-Japanese speaking audiences.
We also post articles about our adventures,

5

にほん

はりくよう

Japanese Culture and Reading Corner: 針供養
By: Mako Kobayashi

たいせつ

つか

日 本には、大 切にもの使 った物 に

かんしゃ

ぎょうじ

感 謝をする

行 事がたくさんあります。そのなかのひとつに、はりくよう

針供養があります。
にしにほんがつ よ う か

ひがしにほんがつ よ う かはりくよう

西日本では、12 月 8 日、東日本では、2 月 8 日に
はりくよう

お

ま

この針供養がさふる

針供養は、折れたり、曲がったり、錆びたりした
もの

さ

らかい物に

ふる

刺します。これはやわらかい物に

つか

はり

さいご

使っていた

針に

最後は

はり

とうふ

あらわ

豆腐のようなやす

感謝を表し、
休んでもらうことを

昔の

この行事は、特定の神社やくにの国 には、このような目的としています。

さ

かた

ぬの

さ

針を

刺すのでしょうか。それは、 いつも

固い

布ばかり

刺して

ひと

じんじゃ

やわ

もくてき

やす

るのだそうです。そして
とくてい

多いです。

はり

やわらかいところで

むかし
ぎょうじ

おお

行われることが古い針を、こんにゃくや

かんしゃ

古い針たちに

もの

どうして

はり

おこな

き

休んで

まいにち

つか

人たちは、毎日

ものもらいたいという
かみ

かんけい

がっこう

洋服の

関係の

学校でも

さいほう

ぎょうじ

裁縫についての

行事が

あらわ

表してい

しん

使う物に、神さまがいると

ようふく

も

気持ちを

信じていました。

おこな

いまだに

行われています。

みなさんありますか。

Vocabulary List
はり

針 needle
ま

曲がる
かた

固い

bend
hard

くよう

供養

memorial service

さ

もくてき

錆びる
ぬの

布

ぎょうじ

行事 eventcloth

ヒレ , ヘレ , フィレ（filet）
By: Nico Bohnsack

rust

目的 aimお折る fold
さ刺す stick

さいほう

裁縫 sewing

Gairaigo Galore

This month’s gairaigo probably sounds very familiar to the ones who love to eat tonkatsu, such asme. Usually, you have the choice between ロース (loin) and ヒレ (tenderloin). I usually choose theless fatty ヒレ . As some of you maybe know the word stems from the French “filet” and was justadjusted a little bit to the Japanese pronunciation.
However, many years ago, when I lived in Osaka and just started my new life in Japan, I went to asmall tonkatsu place to get a nice pork fillet cutlet and was surprised that there was no ヒレ on themenu. I only had the choice between ロース and ヘレ . I was a bit disappointed but thought "Ok,
let’s give ヘレ a try! Overall, it sounds very similar." When my meal came I thought that it also looks
and tastes very similar and after a little bit of research I found out that it’s the same as ヒレ but anexpression mainly used in the Kansai region. It’s said to have a connection to the Kansai dialect
which tends to pronounce い as え , such as in ええです instead of いいです . It's not that ヘレ isused everywhere in the Kansai region but when you visit the region thenext time why not have a look at the menus of some stores to see which
expression is used more often?
The word フ ィ レ , by the way, is also used in some cases and isprobably also the version closest to the French original. I made theexperience that it is often used in expensive teppanyaki or steak
restaurants to give it a more luxurious feeling.

The Principle of "Glocalization"

6

By: Yoko Tomotaki (President of Aizumi International Exchange Association)s a commuter town in Tokushima City, Aizumi to display your culture to everyone. Nowadays,
Town is remarkably increasing its population there are a lot of unfortunate events happening
at a time when populations have been rapidly around the world, and through mass media, wedeclining throughout the prefecture. Currently, as are able to get insight into these tragic events.
of January 2023, Aizumi Town's population count However, instead of turning our eyes away fromstands at 35,564 people and within that number, such realities, I think we would be better off
330 people are foreign residents who
thinking about what we cancome from 29 different countries.
do to live peacefully together.
The largest of the foreign population
are people from Vietnam at 137,
Here at the Aizumi
then the second largest population
International Exchange
comes from China with 57 people,
Association, we hold many
then Indonesia with 51, then theevents for foreigners living
Philippines with 20, 9 from Pakistan
in Japan. Here you canand so on.
learn Japanese and about
Although foreign residents only
Japanese culture, history,
Commemorative
photo
with
account for 0.9 percent of the
traditions and much moreboard members of the association
total population, I believe on how
through exchanges with
we think and consider this somewhat small figure Japanese people. In our Japanese language
can help lead to a town that can truly develop as class, foreigners can participate in Japanese
an international society in the future.
speeches and JICA experiences, go on study trips
to learn about Japanese traditions and culture.
Our dream to establish an International Exchange We also host barbecues where you can make
Association in Aizumi Town was able to come strong friendships and you can also experience
to life thanks to the hard work of my colleagues the seasons through traditional Japanesein October 2003. In 2002, we set
holidays, like celebrating Doll's
up our first committee and ourFestival, or even playing traditionalfounding members were sent toJapanese games in the New Year.
various training programs insideand outside of the prefecture. Here
However, COVID-19 has sadly
they gathered information about
prevented us from being able to holdwhat sort of activities international
any of these events for the past 3
exchange groups perform and how
years. Thankfully, we have been
we can implement them in our own
able to hold our Japanese classassociation. Our goal of establishing
every Friday from 7PM to 8:30PM in
Aizumi International Exchange
the Exchange Room at the Aizumi
Association (known as "I's") would be
Cultural Hall, led by a fabulous
Participants listen to
fully realised the following year. Twenty a profound speech teacher and a volunteer, who both createyears have past since then, and I canclasses that are always welcoming to all.
fondly recall the passionate feelings that we hadback then.
In fact, last October, students from our language
class wanted to show how well they had been
Aizumi's association's aim is to be a "glocal" progressing with their Japanese studies andsociety (global + local), by thinking globally and offered to make speeches for several of ouracting locally. With the main goal of creating a board members. I was amazed at how well theirsociety where foreigners and local residents can Japanese had improved and how friendly andunderstand each other's culture, help each other caring they were. I truly hope that one day theout, and live happily amongst each other. Around COVID-19 Pandemic will be over and that we will
the world there are 196 different countries, and be able to once again hold events like we did inwherever you are from, I hope you have pride and the past.
love for your own country and that you are proudA7

Japanese Lesson

By: Fusa Tamaki

Everyone, are you able to use 「かします」 and 「かります」 correctly? Depending on the country, thesehave the same meaning. Some find the pronunciation hard because they are similar, and conversely,some find it easy.
What about when these 2 words are used together with「～てください」 or 「～てもいいですか」?
Many of you probably find it more difficult, right?
Today, let’s practice and see why it becomes more difficult.
おお や

Read the following sentence.
おお や

へ

大家さん

や

おお や

へ

わたし

や

大家さんは わたしに 部屋を かします ⇔ わたしは 大家さんに 部屋を かります
From this sentence, we can understand the direction of 「かします」 and 「かります」.
かります

かします

Next, I want to rent a room and I ask using 「～てください」. How should I ask?
I want to rent a room, so I should use 「かります」, right? First, let’s think about the meaning of 「～てください」. It’s a way to ask someone for something. In this case, because the one you are asking and theone who will do the action is the landlord, you use 「かします」.
お お や

へ

や

（大家さん、わたしに）部屋を かしてください。
What about 「～てもいいですか」? This is a way to seek permission. Who is doing the action? In this case
it is you, so you use 「かります」.
おお や

へ

や

（わたしは 大家さんに）部屋を かりてもいいですか。
「かします」 and 「かります」 have a direction, and with 「～てください」 and 「～てもいいですか」 you
have to think of who is doing the action. It becomes difficult to understand the direction and mistakes
おお や
are made. Another unique feature of Japanese is that the person or thing being discussed （大家さん・
わたし） is recognized by both parties and left unspoken, making it more difficult.
【Questions】 Read and think about the ending of the sentences carefully, then choose whether to use「かします」 or 「かります」.
ほん① A：すみませんが、その本を（）ください。

B：はい、どうぞ。
② A：すみませんが、そのペンを（）もいいですか。

B：はい、どうぞ。
け③ A：すみませんが、その消しゴムを（）もらいたいんですが…。

B：はい、どうぞ。
かさ④ A：すみませんが、この傘を（）ことができますか。

B：はい、どうぞ。

こたえ ① かして

② かりて

③ かして

④ かりる

Events & Memoranda

8

Shikoku Sake Matsuri
四国酒まつりThe “Shikoku Sake Matsuri” is a New Year event 『四国酒まつり』は地酒の町・三好市を代表するin Miyoshi City – a city known for local sake. 新春のイベントで、新酒を中心に四国各地の銘酒
Primarily featuring new brews of sake, guests が楽しめる四国最大の酒の祭りです♪
can enjoy famous sake from across Shikoku at コロナウイルス感染症拡大防Shikoku’s largest sake event. ♪
止のため中止が続いておりま
Cancellations due to COVID-19 have continued, し た が、 令 和 5 年 2 月 25 日
but this event is set to be held on February 25th!
の開催が決定しました！！
The HP will be updated with more details.
詳細は決まり次第、公式ホー
When: February 25th (Sat.)
Where: Miyoshi Ikeda General Gymnasium
Fee: Advance Tickets: 2,500 Yen
Day-of Tickets: 3,000 Yen
Inquiries: Awa Ikeda Chamber of Commerce andIndustry
Tel: 0883-72-0143
Fax: 088-665-3683
URL: http://www.shikoku-sakematuri.com/

ムページにて公開されます。
日時： 2 月 25 日（土）場所：三好市池田総合体育館
料金：前売券 2500 円 / 当日券 3000 円
問い合わせ：阿波池田商工会議所
Tel：0883-72-0143
Fax：088-665-3683
URL：http://www.shikoku-sakematuri.com/

35th Big Hina Matsuri
第 35 回ビッグひな祭り
The first Big Hina Matsuri was held in the springof 1988 and will now be celebrated for the 35th
time. Hina dolls that are no longer used aregathered from families all around the country,
given a memorial service, and then displayed
at this festival. At the center of the festival, you
can find an approximately 8-meter-high 100-step
podium decorated with hina dolls. Approximately
30,000 hina dolls are beautifully displayed at thisfestival.
During the event there will be a variety of stage
performances.
When: February 25th (Sat.) – March 31st (Fri.)
9:00 - 16:00
Where: Hina Doll Museum
Fee: Adults: 300 Yen
Groups: 200 Yen (10 people or more)
Elementary Students: 100 Yen
Inquiries: Big Hina Matsuri Executive Committee
TEL: 0885-42-4334
URL: https://bighinamaturi.jp/

昭和 63 年の春に始まったビッグひな祭りは、今回で 35 回目を迎えます。本祭では、全国より、家庭で飾られなくなった雛人形を集め、供養し、展示させていただいております。場内には、中央にそびえ立つ高さ約 8m「百段のひな壇」をはじめ、約 3 万体もの雛人形が豪華絢爛に飾られています。
期間中は様々なステージプログラムをご用意しております。
日時：2 月 25 日（土）～ 3 月 31 日（金）9：00 ～ 16：00
場所：人形文化交流館
料金：大人 300 円
団体 200 円（10 人以上）
小学生 100 円
問い合わせ：ビッグひな祭り実行委員会
TEL: 0885-42-4334
URL: https://bighinamaturi.jp/

9Events & Memoranda

Let's get to know the world!
世界の国々を知ろう！

Counselling Service at TOPIA・トピアの相談窓口
TOPIA provides consultation on everyday life, education, labor, medical institutions, and disasterprevention; and information on sightseeing spots to overseas residents and visitors. When necessary,
we will refer you to the appropriate organization that can assist with your needs.Counselling is available
in English, Chinese, Vietnamese, and Japanese. Please note that although every effort will be made,we may not be able to deal with all cases.
Japanese, English, Chinese: Everyday, 10:00 - 18:00 (closed during the New Year's holidays)
Vietnamese: Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, 10:00 - 14:00
Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, 10:00 - 18:00 (closed during the New Year's holidays)