Rockin’ Fukuoka

It’s a hard-rock life!

So far, I’ve been hanging out with people 10 years older than me, but seeing as most Japanese mature quite late mentally, and me having matured quite early on in life (whilst still preserving my inner child <3), it’s been both fun and exciting! Still, I do sometimes feel that they are at a completely different stage in their life compared to me, which sometimes make me realize that there is an age different, and that I’m really the child of the group. So, lately I’ve been trying to get in contact with more people my own age, which isn’t always successful, seeing as the younger generation of Japanese seem to become more and more spoiled, leaving very few independent and bright minds. However, a few weeks ago I met a girl 3 years older than me, who possessed something I highly value in a person; guts!
Unlike many other Japanese girls she has an edge and personality very similar to mine. Oh, and she listens to rock!!
Yup, I had finally found someone to accompany to a rock bar, something I had wanted to experience ever since I landed in Fukuoka app. 2 months ago. Rcokbars do exist in Denmark, but many have closen down due to economy, and other’s aren’t really rock bars, but just center their music collection around rock. This time, I wanted o experience a 100% dedicated rock bar, so last weekend, we ventured out into the streets of Tenjin – to ROCK!

And what we found was beautiful.

Rockbar &GLAM
Shin-Tenjin Biru 1st Floor
1-23-4 Imaizumi, Chuou-ku, Fukuoka City
TEL 092-771-0911
Webpage: http://www.rockbar-glam.com/

Located about 1 minutes walk from Tenjin St., the rockbar &GLAM presents a 60’s, 70’s and 80’s rock-atmosphere, perfected by the skinny, longhaired bartender, who despite being Japanese looks very western in his Nirvana T-shirt. As you enter the small and private bar, you are immediately struck by the large collection of CDs and LPs behind the bar, stretching from one end to the other and reaching up below the sealing. The walls are decorated with famous rock icons, band merchandize and logos, and the bar counter is stuffed with alcohol bottles, some more special than others, like The Rolling Stone’s whiskey. In the far end of the bar a flat-screen TV is playing famous concerts non-stop, and with a small request your favorite band will appear at your favorite concert – which of course meant that both Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath had a go when I visited.
Despite being a rockbar, the sheer size of the bar makes it impossible to have more than 7-8 people in there, which makes the atmosphere very private and neat. This however, is exactly why it’s a great rockbar. Here, people can come to talk about rock while releasing the tension from a hard days work. The bartender, despite being somewhat of an odd ball, is more than willing to give a good conversation, and his knowledge of music only makes the experience that much better.
I think I might almost have experienced my first culture shock walking into that bar. So far, the Japanese I’ve met have had next to no knowledge about western music, except Britney Spears and Lady Gaga, but all of a sudden I was with kindred spirits. It was like I was back in Denmark in a bar with my friends, listening to Black Sabbath while talking about how awesome Ozzy‘s voice is, and how sad the death of Dio was! I’ve never felt so confused as when I stepped out of that bar and back into the streets of Japan (of course the numerous glasses of whiskey might have played their part).

I can highly recommend stopping by &GLAM for a quick drink and a couple of songs if your in Fukuoka, and know that you’ll have a hard time leaving again ❤

– Miriam

Jesus Loves You!

The main religions in Japan are Buddhism and Shinto. However, since the Portuguese arrived in the land of the rising sun, some 600 years ago, Christianity has slowly been growing in Japan, despite having been banned throughout the Edo periode (app. 1600-1863). In Denmark, Christianity is the main religion, but very few actually practices it. Comepletely different are the Japanese Christians, who seem very devoted and extreme, perhaps because of the fact that they are a minority here. In my High School class. there was one boy who was devoted Christian. In English class, he even stood up in front of everybody and told us that his dream for the future was to become a missionary and spread the word of Christ…fair enough!
One thing is Christianity being a minority, another is the minorities within Christianity. My reason for writing this blog is a resent visit I had at my home here in Fukuoka. About a week after moving in, I suddenly had a visitor at my door. Having already had the gas, water and electric supply checked, I pondered over whom it might be. To my astonishment, it was none other than the Jehova’s Witnessess. I wonder, how far off the end of the world does one have to run to escape those sons of b**ches?
Okay, a bit harsh maybe, but mainly that’s how I see Jehova’s Witnessess – a nuisance that disturbs my quiet Sunday rest. However, out respect for my felow humans (however religiously deranged they may be), I greeted them at the door and heard what they had to say. Well prepared, they brought with them a tiny book that had information written in several languages – including Danish! I pretended to read, and then quietly told them off by telling the truth; I’m Jewish. Despite not being religious, if I had to plead myself to a “religious” way of life, it would be the Jewish way, having been raised with the culture and history of it.
So, I explained them about Denmark, told them I was Jewish, and off they went. Very Japanese of course, they bowed, said thank you, and then gently closed the door after them. As human beings they were quite normal and polite, nothing to say there. As Japanese, they astonished me!
Not to say that Japanese are not human, but they certainly are one of a kind. Of course it may have been the “Jehova’s Witness” part in “Japanese middle-aged Jehova’s Witness” that gave them the will to come back, TODAY, with some more information for me! Apparently they remembered me, and had done some research on the internet, and found an article, IN DANISH, about a jewish woman who had taken her religion up to consideration and then chosen to become a Jehova’s Witness. The lady (at my door) had been so kind as to print it out so that I could read it. Is it Japanese efficiency or the will of Jehova, I don’t know, but no matter what I suddenly feel like I’m in their spotlight!
However, it’s kind of cute though, that they think they might be able to “convert” me; if they knew the kind of devil I am they’d be begging the Rabbi to take me back ;D

Anyhow, this whole update is just me finding it funny how no matter where you seem to run, there’s always a Jehova’s Witness there to stop you and ask “have you tried running with Jesus?”. Religion is a mysterious thing, and the Japanese seem to be rather skilled at making it even more mysterious…
well. watch for yourself!

Over’n’out

– Miriam

Karatsu Kunchi 2013

When I lived in Japan as an exchange student, I joined the schools tennis club, which meant I rarely had time to hang out with friends or go anywhere. However, my closest friend invited me to a local festival in her home city, Karatsu Kunchi, and even though the train ride takes more than an hour and I could only go there for one evening, I went! I remember the evening as being one of the greatest experiences throughout my exchange stay, and  every year since I’ve been dying to go once more.
This year, I went! Despite Karatsu being a relatively small city (population around 127.000) located in the northern Kyushu out to the sea, every year on the 2nd, 3rd and 4th of November, the town is filled with people from all over Japan. Every day 14 giant floats (ie: hikiyama) representing the 13 areas of Karatsu City, run throughout the city, companied by inhabitants of the town areas, and the sound of flutes and taiko drums. The festival is, like most of Japan’s ancient festivals, held to appease the Gods and give good fortune to the people. The spectacular floats are more than 100 years old, the first one having been built in 1819 and the last in 1876. Each float represent a character or creature from Japanese folk lore and fairytale, like the two samurai helmets of Kiwata-machi and Hirano-machi, or the Urashima Taro float of Zaimoku-machi, a famous story about a man who saves a turtle, and is rewarded with a stay in the Dragon God’s temple under the sea.

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Each float is built from wood and the colored and lacquered, making the heaviest weigh over 2 tons! On top of that, there’s the musicians and various others on top and beneath the float, which makes you understand why more than 50 people are running in front, pulling the ropes of the floats. Everyone can participate, raging from small children to old seniors, however women are not allowed to participate when reaching a certain age. I asked my friend why, and she told me that in ancient Japan the female cycle was seen as an impure and ugly thing, and therefore not something to have near the sacred floats or ceremonies to appease the Gods. Which is really unfortunate, ’cause it looks like the participants are having a blast! The robes are handmade by each participant, and anyone wearing them can eat for free at the many food stands throughout the village. Typical Japanese festival-style, types of food ranges from yaki-tori (grilled chicken meat) and okonomiyaki (vegetables, meat, egg etc. mixed with dough and fried like a pancake) to crushed ice deserts, crepes and chocolate covered bananas. The smells and sounds are something that you cannot understand unless you experience it yourself! Japanese festivals are something that can only be experienced in Japan, but fortunately, they have them all year round, all over the country 😉

PM 2.5

酢酸…

酢酸

Word of the day

Reading: sakusan
Meaning: acetic acid
Why?: because unnecessary, geeky knowledge is the air breath ❤

Self-introduction

I originally intended to call this blog something along the lines of “An untraditional view on Japan” or “The untraditional Japanese experience”. However, I quickly agreed with myself that such titles were simply too dull and unsatisfying for the things I want to tell.
However, using the word “untraditional” didn’t seem like such bad an idea for a number of reasons.
First an foremost, it breaks with the image of “traditional Japan”, which refers not only to the temples of Kyoto and such ancient sights, but also to the people and their way of interacting with each other; formal speech, traditional greeting and traditional ethics. If there’s anything I’ve learned from staying in Japan, it’s the fact that what we see as “traditional Japan”, is really only the tip of the iceberg, compared to “untraditional Japan”, strongly ongoing beneath the ocean surface! Exploring the untraditional Japan and writing about is what I will mainly strive to do (whilst of course, not forgetting about traditional Japan!)
Second, when using the word “untraditional”, I’m referring to myself. When Japan-freaks like myself search out information (blogs, videos etc.) on the internet, what you will mostly stomp across are blogs written by Americans and/or English Teachers. Not that there’s anything wrong with this, but in my own experience, it left me with a one-sided guide to surviving in Japan: the ALT-guide.

So when I say my Japanese experience is “untraditional”, it’s because of these fact:

1. I’m not American
2. I don’t teach English
3. Almost all my friends here are Japanese

I believe that these 3 factors gives me an opportunity to see a Japan different from other bloggers and foreigners. 

But in the end, I guess that’s up to you to decide. 😉

最初はブログを「日本での非伝統的な表示」とか「日本での非伝統的な経験」っていうようなタイトルにしょようと思ったですよ。しかし、こういうタイトル伝えたい事が伝えきれない、まったくインパクトがないタイトルだってすぐ自分の中で分かりました。
ただ、「非伝統的な」っていう言葉を使うのは、いくつかの理由でよくない考えじゃなさそうでした。
まずは、「伝統的な日本」（トラディショナル・ジャパン）っていうイメージを潰すからです。「伝統的な日本」といえば、京都の神社とお寺だけじゃなくて、日本人がどんな封に他の人と交流するっていうこともあります：たとえば、敬語、礼儀（倫理）。
日本にいる間に知ったことといえば、やっぱり私たち外国人が見える「伝統的な日本」というのは、「非伝統的な日本」っていうものに比べたら、たしかに氷山の一角ということになります。
非伝統的／アントラディショナルな日本をメインにして、そっちを探検しながらこのブログを書きたいと思います。もちろんそれはトラディショナル日本を忘れずに！
次は、「非伝統的」っていう言葉を使ってるとき、それは自分のことも言ってます。自分と同じようなジャパン・オタクがインターネットで日本のことを探したら、ほとんどアメリカ人や英語の先生が書いているブログとか動画しか出てこないです。それは悪いことではありませんが、自分が経験したのは、調べても残った見解は一つしかなかったです：ALT向けのガイド

だから、私が経験した日本が非伝統的だっていうのは、理由三つはあります：

1. アメリカ人じゃありません
2. 英語の教師じゃありません
3. 日本でできた友達はほとんど皆日本人です

この三つの理由におかげで、他のブロッガーと外国人と違った日本を経験していると思います。

でもやっぱり、それを判断するのはあなたですね  d(・∀<)