Issue 2
November 2003
JET Newsletter

 

To welcome back newly returned participants of the JET programme, Consul General Hiraoka hosted a reception at his private residence on the 11th November.

The reception was open to all members of the JET Alumni Association in Scotland and the North of England so it was a good opportunity for old and new JET’s to meet and exchange stories about their time in Japan. It also allowed the new members of the JETAA Committee to introduce themselves and to explain their role.

Other guests included faculty members of the Centre for Japanese Studies at Edinburgh University and the Chairman of the Japan Society of Scotland. A number of university careers advisers were also in attendance, which gave them the chance to learn more about the programme and hopefully promote it to their students.

The reception lasted well into the evening with everyone enjoying the refreshments and a wonderful buffet.

It’s time to get your dancing shoes on for the annual JETAA ceilidh at the Caledonian Brewery in Edinburgh. It will be held on the 29th November from 7.30pm. 40 tickets have been reserved at the subsidised price of £3 and will be issued on a first come, first served basis, so you better be quick! If you are interested, please contact the JETAA committee before 24th November.

What better way to celebrate Christmas than a good sing-along! JETAA have lined up an evening of karaoke, food and Asahi at Yo! Below on Rose Street, Edinburgh. It will take place on Wednesday 10th December, from 8pm. Please RSVP the JETAA committee by Monday 1st December.

Also, don’t forget that Japanese conversation classes continue to be held in Edinburgh every Tuesday at the Hub (at the top of the Royal Mile) from 7.30 till 9pm. The classes are informal and all levels are welcome so there is no need to worry that your spoken Japanese is not up to scratch!

If you are interested in setting up language classes in other areas, please get in touch with the committee, as they are happy to assist.

For tickets and more information on any of the events listed, please contact the committee at:

jetaascotland@yahoo.com

 

On the 17th October, a sushi workshop was held in Glasgow for a limited, yet eager group of participants.

Japanese chef, Kumiko Hatori, explained how to cook sushi rice before demonstrating the best way to make nigiri and maki sushi with a variety of toppings and fillings.

It was then the turn of the participants to roll their own sushi! Although some people were more successful than others, everyone had a great time and were able to enjoy their own sushi washed down with a cup of green tea.

If you are interested in learning the techniques of sushi, Ms Hatori offers classes in her own home. For more information please access:

www.learnsushi.co.uk

Japanese Films

The Filmhouse cinema in Edinburgh is currently showing a season of new Japanese cinema. Although coming to an end, you should still be able to catch a few!

Shara
Naomi Kawase 2003, 1h 40m, PG, subtitles

12 year-old Kei is suddenly spirited away, almost before the eyes of his twin brother, Shun. Five years later, still haunted by his brother’s disappearance, Shun and his childhood friend, Yu, share a tentative, awkward attraction.

Wed 26 Nov: #9; 6.30pm
Thu 27 Nov: 3.30pm and 8.15pm

Mirrorball:Japan
Various, 1h 15m

Fresh from this year’s Edinburgh International Film Festival, Mirrorball Japan focuses on the unique visuals of Tokyo’s finest promo, short film and commercials directors.

Tue 25 Nov: #9; 7.00pm

For further information please contact:

Filmhouse
88 Lothian Road
Edinburgh
Tel: 0131 228 2688

Taiko Workshops by Mugenkyo

The Scottish charity "Japanese Matsuri for Glasgow" will be holding introductory Taiko workshops with the aim that participants will then be encouraged to perform at the annual Hina Matsuri. The matsuri will be held in the Glasgow Botanic Gardens on Sunday 29th February 2004.

The workshops will be led by Mugenkyo, Europe's first professional Taiko drum group which was established in 1994. The workshops will consist of two identical sessions with several dates available and will be followed by practice sessions.

 

8th November

5-6.30pm: Workshop for children

7-9pm: Workshop for adults

15th November

3-4pm: Practice for children

4-5pm: Practice for adults

22nd November

3-4pm: Practice for children

4-5pm: Practice for adults

19th November 26th November

5.30-7pm: Workshop for children 5.30-6.30pm: Practice for children

7.30-9.30pm: Workshop for adults 6.30-7.30pm: Practice for adults

3rd December

5.30-6.30pm: Practice for children

6.30-7.30pm: Practice for adults

Fees:

For an adult aged 16+: £10 per session for workshop and £2 per session for practice.

For a child aged 7 to 15: £5 per session for workshop and £1 per practice.

If you are a "Japanese Matsuri for Glasgow" member, your fees will be reduced by £1 per session.

Venue:

Wellington Church, 77 Southpark Avenue, Glasgow, G12 8LE

For more information or to book a place, please contact Mr Yushin Toda at:

Europe-Japan Social Science Research Centre
Glasgow University
Glasgow
G12 8RT
Tel: 0141 330 3701
Email: matsuriglasgow@hotmail.com

Please help us keep your contact details

up-to-date

In order to receive JET updates and the latest news on Japan related events, it is essential that the Consulate has your correct details. If your details are incorrect, or if you know of any JET’s in your area that do not receive correspondence from the Consulate, please print out and complete this page and return it to Joanna Stuart at the Consulate. Alternatively, you can email the details to Joanna at:

Name:                         __________________________________________________________

Address:                     __________________________________________________________

&

                                   __________________________________________________________

Tel:                             __________________________________________________________

Email:                         __________________________________________________________

Years on JET:            __________________________________________________________

Prefecture:                   _________________________________________________________

Position (i.e. ALT/CIR):______________________________________________

Japan Society of Scotland Offer

The Japan Society of Scotland is a friendship association established to help foster Japan Scotland relations in society, culture, education and business. Events are organised on a regular basis as well as the publication of a newsletter.

The society is currently offering ex-JET’s free membership for one year. For more information or to join, please contact Ian Harkness on 0131 441 7626.

Consul Hiroshi Ota (ota.cgj@btconnect.com)

I enjoy traditional Scottish music and on a recent trip to Shetland, I was deeply impressed by the sound of the fiddle. So much so, I have started to learn how to play Scottish fiddle music! I am really looking forward to the JETAA ceilidh on the 29th of this month and I hope to see you there.

Joanna Stuart, Cultural/Information Assistant (joanna.cgj@btconnect.com)

It was great to see so many of you at the JET returnee reception this year, everyone certainly seemed to have an enjoyable evening. However, to guarantee your invitation next year, make sure you inform us of any address changes.