aWa life
When “Thanks”
Isn’t “Thanks”

Awa Shoku: Wild
for Game

The Temples andShrines of
Mt. Bizan

January 2019

AJET CWC VisitsInternational
Understanding
Forum

# 340

1

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

Poet Rainer Maria Wilke once wrote “And now we welcome the new year. Full of things that have neverbeen.” We hope all of you had fantastic Christmas and New Year's celebrations. 2019 has started andwe wish everyone a successful and happy last year in the 2010s (yes, we are getting old). For Japan,
a new era will begin from May 1st when Crown Prince Naruhito will ascend to the throne. What are
you looking forward to? The 10-day holiday around imperial succession? Maybe the Rugby World Cup
which will be held in Japan this year? Or do you have any special plans such as interesting journeys
or major shifts in life? TOPIA and the Awa Life team will be here for you in to 2019 and we will do ourbest to always provide you with interesting articles about life in Tokushima and beyond. Lets have awonderful 2019 together!
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,
Daralyn 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:
Daralyn Yee and Nico Bohnsack
Contributors This Month:Peter Bohan, Niall Higgins, Jessica Dreistadt, Kazue Inoue, Lance Kita, and Fusa Tamaki

2Contents
Pg. 2-3:
Pg. 3-4:
Pg. 4-5:
Pg. 5:
Pg. 6:
Pg. 7:
Pg. 8-9:

When “Thanks” Isn’t “Thanks”
The Temples and Shrines of Mt. Bizan
AJET CWC Visits
Letter from SUKETO NAKAYOSHI
Awa Shoku: Wild for GameJapanese Lesson
Events and Memoranda

When “Thanks” Isn’t “Thanks”
By: Peter Bohan“This guy are sick.”“A winner is you!”“All your base are belong to us.”F

ans of video games arelikely familiar with atleast one of the above linesof dialogue from early titles
out of Japan. Fortunately,
standards have improved
markedly over the years,
and Western players now enjoy more accurate
and natural translations than ever before.
But what makes a good translation? Whendealing with an ambiguous language steepedin a mysterious culture, it’s not as simple as
looking up the right pair of words in the dictionary.
You’ve got to convey the meaning and intention
behind the words, not simply the definition of thewords themselves—and that’s where the fun andfrustration of the art lies.
After graduating with a degree in East AsianStudies, I was extremely fortunate to spend
five years (2008-2013) in Tokushima as an ALT.
Even ten years later, thanks to all of the friends,
memories, and opportunities that I found there, I
can’t help but think of it as my second home.

I began my career as an in-house translator witha maritime manufacturing company in westernJapan. Since most of my work was technicaltranslation where getting the minute details right
was vital to both profits and safety, I thought thatthe best English translation was one that would
be as close as possible to the original Japanese
if the English were to be translated back bysomeone else. In reality, there are enough ways
to translate a single kanji to make that outcome
unlikely.
As I translated correspondence between theengineers and mechanics in our factory and thecaptains and sailors on the high seas, I began tosee the job of a translator in a different light.
Sometimes it was impossible to convey thedesired intent by relying only on the given
Japanese. When I felt that the intended message
wouldn’t come across in a direct translation, I
spoke with the author and we re-wrote the source
to make the meaning more clear. If the Japanese
axiom “hear one, understand ten” ( 一を聞いて十を知る ) is indeed correct, then I had my work cut
out for me!
The idea that one phrase can be translated inmany different ways—and the importance of

3getting the translation right—is perhaps bestshown by the finale of Final Fantasy X.
After overcoming many trials and tribulations
over the course of their long journey, the heroine
turns to the man who has stood by her throughit all and says, “I love you.” You might think that
the Japanese line is “aishiteiru” ( 愛している ) or
“sukida” ( 好 き だ ). Actually, it’s “arigatou,” ( あり が と う ) commonly translated as “thanks.”
Somewhat lacking in emotional impact, eh?
While there is ordinarily nothing wrong withtranslating “arigatou” as “thanks,” the translator
needs to know the context of the scene and thesubtext behind the word. “Arigatou” implies ashared hardship overcome through cooperation.
Something like “thanks for being there for

When “Thanks” Isn’t “Thanks”
me” would work, but the translator also faced
another difficulty: the computer-generated scene
was made to match Japanese lip movements,
meaning the line had to be short and sweet.
Given that their relationship blossomed over thecourse of the game, “I love you” seemed to be themost natural expression, and one that a Western
audience would expect to hear from a leading
lady during the final moments of a fantasy epic.
It’s choices like these—and the weight behindthem—that drive me to become a better translator.
If this column has piqued your interest, then by allmeans, give it a try.
For great justice!

The Temples and Shrines of Mt. Bizan
By: Niall Higgins

Tokushima prefecture is famous for the 88
temples pilgrimage route, but Tokushima city
itself has many lesser known gems that are notamong the famous 88. As a long-term Tokushimacity resident I’ve always found myself drawn tothe various shrines that surround the city’s borderwith Mt. Bizan. The urge to explore this area has
only increased since I started living in the city
centre itself.
First stop on our
unofficial tour is
Ten-jinja( 天神社 ),located behind
the Awa Odori
Kaikan. The
entrance to thistemple is to theleft of the Kaikan
and up the stairs. You enter via a stone Torii gate,
following the steps up through a red Torii gate to
the main shrine, with the hand washing area being
on your left. There’s a lot to see here; the main
shrine itself, the bull of wisdom ( 知恵の牛 ), an
omikuji (paper fortune) area and a heart shaped
shrine that honors lost loved ones, particularly

children. If you follow the pathto the right of the temple, you’ll
come across stairs that allow
you to go much higher up themountain. Be warned though,they’re pretty steep! On theupside the scenery here isreally beautiful, especially
now with the leaves changing
colors. If you follow the stairs all the way up you’ll
come to the main road for Mt. Bizan, which has amap of the whole Bizan walking area.
Further west from Tenjinja is Kasuga-jinja( 春
日 神 社 ). It’s locatednext to Kinryosui Spring,which is a famous local
water spring that locals
still take water fromtoday.
As you turn the cornerfrom the spring you’ll find an orange and glassbuilding (the Kauga Kaikan) and the shrine
entrance is further up on the left. From theThe Temples and Shrines of Mt. Bizan
entrance you go up the steps to the main shrine,
which has a colourful painting on the left. Behindthe shrine there’s stairs that bring you up to
Yasaka-jinja ( 八阪神社 ). From there you can turnright to go to Mitake-jinja ( 御嶽神社 ), while goingstraight will bring you to the Mt. Bizan main road.
From there, turn right to go to the statue of the
Jimmu Tenno ( 神武天皇ご尊像 ), or left to go to
the bronze statue of the Meiji Tenno ( 明治天皇銅像 ). While both of these are statues as opposed
to shrines or temples, they’re both worth checking
out. Beside the latter you'll find a list of all theshrines and temples in the Mt. Bizan area.
In contrast to all that hiking, Zuigan Temple ( 瑞巌 寺 ) is far more easily accessible. Tucked inbeside Shinmachi elementary school, it’s an oasis
of calm in the city centre. All your left hand side
before you enter the grounds there’s a plaqueon the wall dedicated to Wenceslau de Morales,a Portuguese writer and diplomat who moved toTokushima after his wife passed away and lived
here until his death. The street is also named
after him. Upon entering the big wooden gate,
leave the city behind and enter a tranquil space
where time slows down and nothing can be heard

4
except the trickle of water and the occasionalleaf blower. The core temple area is accessible
by going straight up the steps from the entrance.
Unfortunately the garden area is currently
inaccessible to visitors, but the temple interior
can be accessed for a small entrance fee. Theinterior has tatami flooring, low ceilings and a very
special, serene atmosphere.
So next time you’re interested in visiting Japanese
temples or shrines, consider exploring the many
that exist in the city. What you find may surpriseyou.

AJET CWC Visits
By: Jessica DreistadtFor several years, it has
been a tradition among
Tokushima JET participants
to visit Child Welfare Centers(CWC for short) in theprefecture and hand out gifts
to the children there after a
few fun activities. This year, I
was the "gift coordinator" forthe visit to Awakoku Jikeiin, a
CWC in Tokushima city.
" W h a t i s a C h i l d We l f a r e
Center?", you might ask
yourself. Traditionally, this kindof facility might have beencalled an "orphanage", but not only children who
have lost their parents stay there. Those whoseparents cannot provide carefor them may stay in a CWC as
well.
In order to bring these kids
a little Christmas spirit,
To k u s h i m a J E Ts o r g a n i z evisits to the facilities, taking
with them a present for eachof the kids, material for some
nice and fun activities, and ofcourse... Santa! We received
a list with the names andages of the children. Awakoku
Jikeiin is actually the largest
CWC in this visit program, andthere were 51 children ages 2 to 18 we had to getpresents for. In the end, I was able to get presents

5for everybody and we still had some money left,
which can in turn be given to the coordinators ofanother upcoming visit.
On the big day, we met in front of Awakoku Jikeiin,
where we were greeted with a little welcome
sign. The kids were already sitting in their grouproom, excited for what was to come. We engaged
the kids in some very fun games, including arace carrying a ball with a spoon in one's mouth,
opening little chocolates while wearing mittens(which is surprisingly difficult!), and standing ona small piece of paper. After we were done withthese games, we asked all the kids to color adrawing of Santa while we were preparing the
distribution of our presents.

AJET CWC Visits
We found one lucky person who agreed to poseas Santa and hand each child their present. This
would prove a little chaotic: We had only been told
the first name of each child in Hiragana and there
were several with the same first name, so I had tomake sure to write the age on the present as well.
All in all, I was a little exhausted after the visit as
the kids were very genki, but happy that I could
be part of such a great way to bring others a little
joy. For me as a CIR with little to no exposure
to children through my job duties, it was also avery nice change for once in a while. If you enjoy
happy faces, I would very much recommend you
to take part in one of the CWC visits!

Letter from SUKETO NAKAYOSHI

By Kazue Inoue (Center for Early Childhood Education and Care SUKETO NAKAYOSHI)H

appy New Year! I hope that this will be agreat year for all of you. This month I’d like tofocus on children’s artwork. It is said that you cansee your child’s physical and mental development
through their art.
A little over 1 year old… This is the period whenchildren may put crayons in their mouth, and draw
here and there.
18 months old… Begins to make larger
movements. As the child is able to gain mobility intheir shoulders and arms, they will want to throw
items around. In this period they will be able todraw horizontal lines.
2 years old… Gain mobility in the elbow. As they
are able to gain control in their hands, they will beable to draw round shapes. They will also be able
to create meaning to the pictures they draw. In
this period, be sure to actively listen to your childrather than ignore their explanations.
3 years old… Hand-eye coordination is developed,
and they will be able to draw a completely closed
circle. They will also be able to draw a circle andmake it resemble an item.
Having children draw pictures is not for the

purpose of becoming skilled at drawing, nor
gaining dexterity in the hands. It is to allow
them to draw the way they like for enjoyment
and development purposes. Drawing is also
connected to the cultivation of imagination,
creativity, initiative, aesthetic sense, and sense of
space.
If your child begins to show interest in drawing
pictures, allow them to draw to their heart’s
content.
＊＊＊
Plastic Bag Kite

1) Cut a plastic bag into the shape of a rabbit, anddraw a face on it with an oil-based marker.
2) On the handles of the plastic bag, attach 30
cm of string to each side as seen in the diagram.
Attach the ends of the strings in the center to
a 1-2m long string. (Wrap string around a toilet
paper roll. Tape down the end of the string to theroll.) Enjoy flying your kite at a park near you!

Awa Shoku: Wild for Game
By Lance Kita

H

6creatures, including animals eaten
as meat. Although strict Buddhist
teaching reflected this compassion
towards animals, this was a burden
on the general population who didn’t
adhere to rigorous principles. Huntersbegan to refer to meats by plant/flower
names to get around the rules. Theysay wild boar’s red flesh contrastingwith the white fat looks like a peony
flower when laid out in slices on aplate, hence the naming. Deer iscalled “maple meat” (momiji-niku 紅Wild boar in early winter
still
has
a
beautiful
rich
layer
of
葉肉 ), horse is called “cherry meat”
W h y g o w i l d ? To k u s h i m a ’ s
fat stored up from fall.
(sakura-niku 桜 肉 ), and chicken is
mountains are home to lots ofwildlife, including deer and boar. Deer will often “oak meat” (kashiwa-niku 柏肉 ).
damage native trees by chewing off bark andexposing the tree to insects, disease, and rot. Another complaint about game meat like wild
Wild boars will often devour crops from village boar is its peculiar smell. One way to mask thefields and dig holes as they search for mushrooms smell is to flavor the meat strongly with soy sauce
and tubers, encouraging erosion. So traditionally, and sugar when stewing it, which also helps withrural villages have had hunters kill the animals, preservation. This method is called kanro-ni 甘露
and the meat was eaten by the hunter’s family as 煮 , and is also used with river fish for the same
reason . Another technique is to add ginger and/valuable protein, or shared with the community.
or citrus to balance out the gamey odor.
Recently, there has been a movement to makethis meat available to a wider market, providing Wild boar caught in late fall and early winter still
income for the hunters/slaughterhouses and not have their thick layer of fat from foraging, and isletting the hunted animals go to waste. Since probably the tastiest and most succulent. Late
2014, there have been national guidelines set winter and early spring meat may be leaner and
up to ensure that wild game meat is safely and drier, so more suited for kanro-ni than hot pots.
properly slaughtered and distributed to markets.
Tokushima Prefecture also has encouraged local Local gibier cuisine is centered around theeateries to use wild game in their dishes as part mountain towns of Tokushima, especially in Naka
Town and the communities out west near Mt.
of a “grow local, eat local” philosophy.
Tsurugi. Naka Town is focusing on venison as its
Often, people will mention that game meat is main product. For wild boar cuisine, try eateries
tough. To get around the toughness, meat is often in Iya Valley, Miyoshi City, Higashi Miyoshi City,
stewed, or sliced thin and used in hot pots (nabe Mima City, and Tsurugi Town. And the food鍋 ) like shabu shabu. Wild boar hot pot is called is anything but boar-ing. The restaurants arebotan-nabe 牡 丹 鍋 . “Botan” is the Japanese integrating the game meat into curry, croquettes,
word for the peony flower, and wild boar meat is oden, pasta, pizza, and more, so don’t think thatsometimes referred to as “peony meat” (botan- you have only get hot pots.
niku 牡丹肉 ).
So get your game on for wild game, and savor
Wait, what? Flowers? Interesting historical these flavorful rustic meats during this chilly
note…the fifth Tokugawa shogun, Tsunayoshi, season. May the Year of the Boar bring good eats
passed many edicts prohibiting the killing of living to everyone!
u n g r y N e w Ye a r ! I h o p eeveryone has a wonderful(and tasty) 2019. Luckily this is avery delicious year, since the Asian
zodiac sign is the boar 亥 , thelast animal in the 12-year cycle.
Tokushima has recently been
making an effort to promote jibie
ジビエ (gibier, the French word forwild game meats) and wild boar
( 猪 inoshishi) is front and centeron the menu.

7Japanese Lesson

By: Fusa Tamaki

The Kanji「中」can either be read as「ちゅう」or「じゅう」. When do you read it as「ちゅう」or「じゅう」? Are there rules? Let’s think about it.
かい ぎ

はい

1) 会議中なので、入らないでください。
Meeting in progress, please do not enter.
こんしゅう
こう じ しゅうりょう
おも2) 今 週 中に、工事は終了すると思います。
The construction should be finished within this week.
にん
にん
じょせい
3)10 人中 5 人は女性です。
Five out of the ten people are women.
すいひか4) 水中に光るものがあります。
There is something sparkling in the water.
に ほん
ひと
み
5) 日本中の人がこのニュースを見ている。
People throughout Japan are watching this news.
ひとばん6) 一晩中、インターネットをしていた。
I was on the internet all night long.

ゅう

ち

じゅ

う

1-4 are read as「ちゅう」
1) A noun is attached to express something being utilized for a continuous period of time. It expresses
that something is being continuously done, or is continuously in that state.
2) When attached to a time expressing noun, it refers to a specified period of time.
3) When attached to a number or amount, it expresses a total amount.
4) When attached to an item, or a location noun, it can have the meaning of amongst/within.
5 and 6 are read as「じゅう」
5) When attached to proper nouns, it means throughout a specified location.
6) When attached after a word that expresses a general period of time, it means that something isbeing done continuously during a specified period of time.
【問題】
In the following sentences, choose the appropriate reading for「中」. Then, write down which example
sentence corresponds with the practice sentence. .
はるやす

うんてんめんきょと

1) 春休み中に運転免許を取りたいです。I want to get my driver’s license during spring break.
あつ
にん
にん
こ
2) 集まった 8 人中 3 人は子どもだった。Three out of eight of the people who gathered are children.
しょく じ
でん わ
3) 食事中に電話がかかってきました。I received a phone call while I was eating.
がっこう4) 学校中でインフルエンザがはやっている。Influenza has spread throughout the school.
ふる
ねん
しゅう り
5) このビルは古いので、年中 修 理している。
This building is being fixed throughout the year since it is old.
たか
やま ちょうじょう くう きさん そうす6) 高い山の頂上は空気中の酸素が薄くなる。
The oxygen in the air becomes thinner at the summit of a tall mountain.
Reference: 参考資料 『日本語文型辞典』（くろしお出版）
答え １）ちゅう②６）ちゅう④２）ちゅう③３）ちゅう①４）じゅう⑤５）じゅう⑥

8
Events & MemorandaInternational Understanding Forum
国際理解支援フォーラム＊ 日本語を身につけた在住外国人の講師の代表（5 ヵ国）が、それぞれ①日頃県内の学校を訪問して行っている多文化理解の授業のハイライト②ご参会の皆さんとふれあい、つながる愉快な参加型の活動③徳島での生活経験から生まれた多文化共生のための気づきや考えなどを発表します。
＊ 続いて交流ティーパーティー（どなたも無料）を開きます。
＊ 発表者出身国（予定） ベトナム ・ 中国 ・ モンゴル ・ ナイジェリア・米国
1 月 20 日（日） 13:00 ～ 16:30
日 時
場 所 （公財）徳島県国際交流協会 TOPIA（とくしま国際戦略センター）
クレメントプラザ（徳島駅ビル）６階 会議室（大・小）★ お誘い合わせの上、ぜひご参加ください！ お待ちしております。
（先着 80 名）
申し込み
氏名、よみがな、メールアドレス、電話番号 をご記入の上、メール、
FAX または電話にてお申し込みください。
☆ メール： coordinator3@topia.ne.jp ☆ FAX ： 088-652-0616☆ 電話 ： 088-656-3303

15th Shikoku Snowball Fight Competition
第 15 回 雪合戦四国大会
Registration for the competition is now over, but
come out to see an intense snowball fight right infront of your eyes!

参加申込みは既に終わっていますが、是非とも熱い雪合戦を見に来てください！

When: January 26 (Sat) - 27 (Sun)
Where: Iyashi no Onsen-kyo Ground 28 Sugeoi,
Higashi-Iya, Miyoshi CityI n f o : Yu k i G a s s e n S h i k o k u C o m p e t i t i o n
Committee (Miyoshi City Tourism Department)
TEL: 0883-72-7620

場所：いやしの温泉郷グランド

日時：1 月 26 日（土）～ 27 日（日）三好市東祖谷菅生 28
お問い合わせ：雪合戦四国大会実行委員会
		（三好市観光課内）TEL: 0883-72-7620

Japanese Open Class: Big Hina Matsuri
日本語教室オープンクラス
Every year in March, the famous “Big Hina
Matsuri” is held in the south of Tokushima Cityin Katsuura Town. How about experiencing
Japanese culture by helping the locals set up theGirl’s day dolls?
When: February 2nd (Sat) 9:20-16:00
Where: Big Hina Matsuri Ohinasama no
Okuyashiki Hall, Katsuura Town
Meeting place and time: 9:20 Meet at bus stop at

Sunroute Hotel in front of Tokushima Station (thebus will take about 40 minutes) ★ Lunch will be
provided and we will eat lunch together.
Maximum number of participants: 20 *It will becold so be sure to wear warm clothes.
For more information or to apply please contact:
TOPIA TEL: 088-656-3303 FAX: 088-652-0616
E-mail: coordinator2@topia.ne.jp*Check TOPIA's website for more information.

9

Events & Memoranda
Shogo Kariyazaki Flower Arrangement Exhibition
華道家 假屋崎省吾「うだつをいける」

You will be able to enjoy the Shogo Kariyazaki
Flower Exhibition which uses the Udatsu no
Machinami, a street with a historic scenery, asa stage. Moreover, enjoy Tokushima's finest
displays of beauty such as Otani pottery andcymbidium orchid displays.
When: January 13th (Sun) – February 24th (Sun)9:00 – 17:00 (last entrance at 16:30)
Where: Yoshida Residence (Mima City, 55 Oaza
Wakimachi)
Fee: 1000 yen
TEL: 0883-53-8599
URL: www.mima-kankou.jp/

歴史ある景観が残るうだつの町並みを舞台に、華道家・假屋崎省吾が美を紡ぐ美しく華やかな華道
展「うだつをいける」。シンビジウムや大谷焼など、徳島が誇る美の競演をご堪能ください。
日 時：1 月 13 日 ( 日 ) ～ 2 月 24 日 ( 日 )9:00 ～ 17:00（最終入館 16:30）
場所：藍商佐直
脇町 55

吉田家住宅（美馬市脇町大字
うだつの町並み）周辺

料金：1000 円
TEL: 0883-53-8599
URL: www.mima-kankou.jp/

Awa Traditional Performing Arts Creation Transmission Project 2019
AWA 伝統芸能創造発信プロジェクト 2019
Section 3 Awa Odori in the land of indigo“The AWA Odori, this is it!” Awa Odori, which
is typically performed to welcome visitors
nationwide, will be taken to the next level as astage art in its homeland, Tokushima. The Awa
Odori Promotion Association and the Tokushima
Prefectural Awa Odori Association will work
together, and meet in Awagin Hall with their best
moves. Don’t miss these Awa Odori enthusiasts
dancing and shining in Japan Blue.
When: February 3 (Sun)
1. Doors Open 12:30, 13:00-15:00
2. Doors Open 15:30, 16:00-18:00
Where: Awagin Hall, Ground Floor Hall
Fee: Reserved seat: 2000 yen
High school students and under: 1000 yen
Info: Awagin Hall
TEL: 088-622-8121

Section.3 藍の国の阿波おどり「The AWA 踊り，
this is it ！」今や全国津々浦々で街おこしとして踊られている「阿波踊り」が、ふるさと徳島で舞台芸術としての“AWA 踊り”に昇華！互いに切磋琢磨してきた阿波おどり振興協会と徳島県阿波踊り協会が、それぞれ培ってきた演舞に磨きをかけ、あわぎんホールに集う。ジャパンブルーに照らされた天水達に乞うご期待！！
日時：2 月 3 日（日）（1）開場 12:30 開演 13:00 終演 15:00（予定）（2）開場 15:30 開演 16:00 終演 18:00（予定）
場所：あわぎんホール 1 階 ホール
料金：一般指定席：2000 円
学生（高校生まで）指定席：1000 円
問い合わせ：あわぎんホール
TEL：088-622-8121

Counselling Service at TOPIA・トピアの相談窓口
TOPIA offers a counselling and advisory service to all foreign residents to help with issues involving
accidents, working conditions, housing, visas, international marriage, and more. Counselling isavailable in English and Japanese. Please note that although every effort will be made, we may not beable to deal with all cases.
Everyday, 10:00 - 18:00 (closed during the New Year's holidays)
Tel: 088-656-3303 or 088-656-3320 (allows three-way conversations with an interpreter)