Newsletter No.45

December 2002

Prof. Roger Pulvers's lecture

ESUJ hosted Prof. Roger Pulvers for an open lecture at the International House on November 12. The subject he chose was "The Theatrical Japanese: From Miyazawa Kenji to the Avant-Garde Theater. Since coming to Japan in 1967, our guest has been super-active, from writing fiction to stage directing. Fluent in Japanese and a connoisseur of Japanese food, he was once the object of intense study and scrutiny by a fellow customer in a sushi restaurant who was dumbfounded by Mr. Pulvers's expert choice of sushi. From such experiences he gave us a most witty talk about what makes Japanese culture, what it is and what the future holds for it.

Japanese Culture Is Like an Oyako Donburi.
Basically the bowl is filled with steamed white rice (Yamato culture represented by Kyoto and Nara) with an overlay of some of the basic features of the Continental (Chinese) culture, adapted, scrutinized and purified. The half-cooked egg on it represents sui, the "chic" Edo culture, all to be savored together like the oyako-donburi (chicken/eggs/over rice).
Five Components of Japanese Culture
Mr. Pulvers maintained that there are altogether five cultures in Japan, including the well recognized Yamato and Edo cultures: Okinawan culture with its unique sounds and colors, where cherry-blossoms don't have the special significance they do on the mainland; Kyushu culture, heavily influenced by Korea; and Tohoku culture, which is the most "natural", indigenous form. Of the last, he finds Miyazawa Kenji and Sakaguchi Ango, its native sons, most attractive.
After the "Bubble"
The 1980's and 1990's were the period when people were light-hearted ("run-run," pronounced "roon-roon," and "feeling" were the buzz words). "Mindfulness" and "seriousness" were shunned, and everyone had easy access to anything and everything. The "Bubble" having burst, the Japanese people need to rid themselves of the residues and the stains of the period. Instead of Fukoku Kyohei (Wealthy Nation, Strong Military), the slogan of the Meiji Era, the goal should now be "Fukoku Kyogei," a nation of wealth and ARTS. The audience was deeply impressed by the guest speaker's urging that we should look to the future with hope and renewed appreciation of our Japanese culture.
Prof. Pulvers Website http://homepage2.nifty.com/uesugihayato/index.htm

ESUJ Christmas Party

At this beautiful end-of-year time of twinkling lights and illuminations, come join our warm, friendly group for a jolly party. Your guests are also most welcome. Please notify the office soon of your attendance.

Date & Time: Tuesday, 17 December 2002 6:30-8:30pm
Place: Foreign Correspondents' Club of Japan, Media Room
Yurakucho Denki Building North 20th Floor
Charge: Member / Guest \6,000 (Buffet Style)
To attend: Please apply from here
Tel 03-3423-0970, Fax 03-3423-0971, Email esuj@esuj.gr.jp

ESUJ Debate 2003 Participants Wanted!

The English-Speaking Union of Japan will be holding its second parliamentary-style debate competition for participants other than university students (Shakaijin) on Sunday, February 23. The Debate is intended to be an enjoyable opportunity for working persons and adults to exercise their English-language skills of persuasion.

Date&Time: February 23 (Sunday), 2003 10:00 am - 7:00 pm
Place: The Kokusai Fashion Center 10th floor
* 1 minute from Oedo-line Ryogoku Station and 5 minutes from JR Ryogoku Station.
Qualification for applying: Adults other than university students
(Please apply as a two-person team.)
Participation fee: Free
Number of teams participating : 8 two-person teams
(ESUJ members are given first priority and in case applications exceed 8 teams, participating teams will be selected by drawing).
Debating style: Parliamentary-style debate.
Application procedure: Please apply through here
If you would like to apply by fax, please contact the ESUJ office.
Application deadline: January 23 (Thursday), 2003

English Club meeting in November

For our monthly English Club meeting held on Nov. 19 (Tues.), Mr. Masumi ("MM") Muramatsu, our regular host, invited Mr. Kenny Fries as a guest speaker. Mr. Fries, a poet and writer, spoke about the world of "non-disabled people" seen from the point of view of the disabled, covering the changes in social awareness of disabled people in America, the differences between Japan and America, and how the disabled are treated in literature. The lecture was profound and thought-provoking. 　　

Mr. Fries read his poems, including one about his own disability. His remarks about how all sorts of "differences" exist in our society, how anyone can suddenly become disabled at any time, and how progress in medical science has affected the definition of disability left strong impressions in the listeners' minds. 　　

The next English Club meeting will not take place until January 21. Please join us instead for our annual Christmas Party !
Tuesday, January 21 at Tokyo International Forum G502
Tuesday, February 18 at Doyu Club (Otemachi)
Time :from 6:30 to 8:30 as usual