No.277 2007

‒
No.277
November
2007
Edited!and!Issued!monthly!by!FUKUOKA!INTERNATIONAL!ASSOCIATION!Rainbow!Plaza!
IMS!8F-!1-7-11!Tenjin-!Chuo-ku-!Fukuoka!City!810-0001!)Tel;092-733-2220*!)Fax;092-733-2215*!
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͈‫ے‬ġ
When you ask the locals on things they can brag about Fukuoka, what sorts of answers
would you expect? Probably, they would say such things as “convenient”, “livable”,
“friendly”, “great food”, and much more, while praising about their Fukuoka born
celebrities is without a question. This month, we will unravel the secrets behind Fukuoka’s
gift in producing many Japanese stars.
Hakata Niwaka
We will first introduce a folksy storytelling comedy from
Fukuoka called, “Hakata Niwaka”, which has been continuing
since the mid-Edo period. The niwaka was originally derived
from the word Niwaka Kyogen, and it refers to the
improvisational performance of amateur comedians, which has
spread and popularized across the regions of Osaka, Kyoto, and
Illustration:
Kayo
Fig.1 Two men engaged in “kake-ai-niwaka” wearing hanmen and botekazura.
This month’s National Holiday
Left: Color Print of Otojiro
Kawakami, courtesy of
Fukuoka City Museum
Edo. Today, there are places outside of Hakata that has
maintained an altered form of niwaka such as “Osaka Kigeki”.
Hakata Niwaka has kept a very distinct style in its
appearance. In particular, actors wear hanmen (a half-faced
masquerade) and botekazura (ahat made from Japanese paper)
to emphasize their comical looks and mask their identities
during the play (see Fig. 1). The script is spoken in Hakata
dialect, and itscontent reflects a societal satire, sarcasm and
irony that are accentuated with homophonic punch lines.
Throughout the history, niwaka has largely been classified into
three types. First, Danmono is a drama type of niwaka, where
several actors are involved in a single play; kake-ai-niwaka is a
comic dialogue performed by two people and hitokuchi-niwaka
is a one-man show.
There’s a very interesting history on the origin of niwaka. On
the one hand, there is a
literature
providing
that Rainbow Plaza will be closed
Hakata Niwaka first originated
on November 20 (Tue).
when the Kuroda Clan–who
Visit Rainbow Cyber Net !
sought to absorb people’s
http://www.rainbowfia.or.jp
general
㨪continued on page 3
November 3 (Sat) Bunka-no-hi (૨҄Ʒଐ)!!Culture Day
November 23 (Fri) Kinrokansha-no-hi (޲Ⴛۜ৫Ʒଐ)!!Labor Thanksgiving Day
‒
2‒
November 2007
FUKUOKA &
the WORLD
News for Living Special!
Outline of New Immigration
Procedures: Requirements for the
Provision of Personal Information
1. General Outline
th
On 24 May, a new law amending parts of
the Immigration Control and Refugee
Recognition Act was promulgated and will
th
come into effect on November 20 , 2007.
The revised law contains new provisions
for the establishment of a framework for
preventative measures against acts of
terrorism. As part of this framework, a new
anti-terrorism measure is to be implemented,
which requires the submission of personal
identification information at immigration
control.
Under the new immigration procedures,
when foreign nationals are applying for
landing, fingerprints and a facial photograph
will be taken after which an immigration
control officer shall conduct an examination
for landing.
In the event of any foreign national, who is
required by the new law to be fingerprinted
and photographed, refusing to submit to these
new provisions, that person will not be
permitted to enter Japan, and will be required
Let’s prepare for disasters
The Fire and Disaster Management Agency
has launched an online disaster prevention
manual called, “Important information on
countermeasures
against
earthquake” (Available in English). It
introduces eighteen scenes from a person’s
day-to-day-life, which are categorized into an
“indoor” “outdoor”, or “vehicle” setting
and includes them in various environments
such as seaside, downtown, and so forth. The
coping strategies and home preparations are
provided respectively. You can also
download a check sheet, which will guide
you with things to take from home during an
emergent situation.
http://www.fdma.go.jp/bousai_manual/e/
index.html
In addition, from October 1st, the Japan
Metrological Agency has started delivering
the “Earthquake Early Warning” or “Kinkyu
Jishin Sokuho”, which informs the public on
quake’s intensity ahead of time. For example,
NHK Fukuoka and five other commercial
broadcasting TV stations will display a telop
Vol.9
This month, we’ll learn a new
phrase in Hakata dialect: “Hara wo
tateru” of standard Japanese. First of all, there
are a lot of expressions in Japanese that use
Statistics of Fukuoka City, November, 2007
Area: 340.60 km2 (as of October 1st, ‘04), Population (August ’07) : 1,372,783, (Households:
642,443), Registered Foreigners (August ’07) : 20,386 (Households: 12,701), Consumer Price
Index (August ’07) : 100.4 (100 as of ‘05), Foreign Trade (million ¥, August ’07) : Exports 197,653 (Hakata Port - 120,218 / Fukuoka International Airport - 77,435), Imports - 118,998
(Hakata Port - 74,763 / International Airport - 44,235) to leave the country.
2. Affected persons
All foreign nationals entering Japan will be
subject to the new provisions, apart from the
following:
(1) Special permanent residents
(2) Persons under 16 years of age
(3) Those persons performing activities
which fall under the status of residence
for ‘Diplomat’ or ‘Official’
(4) Those persons who have been invited by
the head of any national administrative
organization
(5) Those persons who are prescribed by the
Ministry of Justice ordinance as
equivalent to either (3) or (4)
3. New Immigraion Procedures
Applicants will be required to follow the
following procedures.
(1)
A
person
wishing
to
enter
Japan
must submit
his/her
passport to the
immigration
control officer.
(2) Once the immigration control officer has
explained the procedures that are to be
followed, the person wishing to enter
Japan will be
asked
to
place
the
index fingers
of both hands
on a digital
fingerprint
reader. The fingerprint information will
be read and stored electromagnetically.
(3) A facial
photograph
will then be
taken, using
the camera
located
at
the top of
the digiral fingerprint reader.
(4) The immigration control officer will then
conduct a short interview.
(5) On completion of the above procedures,
the person wishing to enter Japan will
receive his/her passport from the
immigration control officer.
Inquiry:
General Affairs Division, Immigration
Bureau, Ministry of Justice
Tel: 03-3580-4111
Fukuoka Regional Immigration Bureau
Tel: 092-623-2400
on TV reading, “A strong quake is coming
into your area” on earthquakes with an
expected intensity of higher than 5 (lower).
Since all the radio broadcasters except for the
NHK believe that “There is a concern over
the occurrence of secondary accidents among
drivers who slam on the breaks after being
shocked from the radio’s flash report,” they
have decided not to report them on radio for
now.
After the Earth Quake Warning, the
quake’s tremor will arrive at its destination
after a few seconds to several seconds.
However, depending on where you live, and
given the nature of technological limitations,
a quake might occur in your area before the
flash reports. As a result, people may not
have sufficient time to make smart and quick
decisions. For this reason, it is necessary for
everybody to consider how to “act promptly
and responsibly” when hearing the warnings.
First, without panicking, ensure your own
safety. If you are inside the house, hide under
a sturdy table and so on to protect yourself
against the falling/dropping furniture. If you
hastily leave the building, it is rather
dangerous. Next, if you happen to be in a
distance away from a lit stove, don’t try to
turn it off, but consider your safety first. In
addition, if you hear an earthquake warning
while driving a car, it is important for you to
not jam on a break, but to turn on your hazard
light and to gradually reduce your speed after
caring for your surroundings. Finally, if you
are looking to gain more information, there is
a paid service by the communication
companies, which sends out earthquake’s
intensity information (using a specific
receiving device) to its users; however, the
installment of these devices is optional.
There is a detailed information in English at
the Japan Meteorology Agency website, so
please have a look: http://www.jma.go.jp/
jma/en/Activities/eew.html
words related to body parts, such as the
aforementioned word of “Hara”, which means
stomach. By just adding this word in a
sentence, it connotes a deeper understanding of
a certain situation. For example, individuals
use the expression “Hara wo kimeru”, which
literally means to decide on one’s stomach,
when one makes up one’s mind about
something. Similarly,
㨪continued on page 3
‒
November 2007
“Hara wo waru” 㨪continued from page 2
means to reveal one’s real intention (lit: to split
one’s stomach), “Hara no mushi ga
osamaranai” means to have a provoking feeling
lit: to have an unsettling bug inside a
stomach), while ”Hara guroi” is to have an evil
scheme against someone (lit: to have a black/
dark stomach) are some common examples.
Please try and practice this month’s kotoba,
3‒
߽޿޿ߢߒࠂ߁
Sonnani okoranakutemo iidesho
ߪࠄ߆ߊharakaku verb.
(English) You don’t have to get that mad! or
Chill out!
Meaning: to get mad about something
(Example)ߘߍࠎ ߪࠄ߆߆ࠎߢ߽ ࠃ߆ In addition to the above, you can combine the
word “hakaraku” and “mushi” to make the
ࠈ࡯߽ࠎ
word “harakakimushi” to refer somebody who
Sogen harakakandemo yokaro-mon
Standard language)ߘࠎߥߦᔶࠄߥߊߡ gets upset or angered easily.
while mastering these expressions above!
ŅųįġŏŪŴũŪźŢŮŢȧŴġŎŦťŪŤŢŭġŕŢŭŬĻġ
ŅŰġźŰŶġũŢŷŦġŎņŕłŃŐōŊńġŔŚŏŅœŐŎņŀġ
The term “Metabolic Syndrome” has not
rested as a fad word among medical
professionals, but it has also been widely
recognized among middle-aged males in
Japan. Its definition has been outlined in the
previous issue of RAINBOW in the context
of a physical examination programme
provided by the Fukuoka Health Promotion
Center.
Although the diagnostic criteria for the
metabolic syndrome may depend according
to schools or racial groups, obesity and
subsequent resistance to insulin are the key
factors leading to the illness. Specifically, if
three or more of the following unhealthy
signs are found in a person, his or her chance
of getting metabolic syndrome, eventual heart
attack, or brain stroke would be higher than
the average. Namely, they are obesity
(accumulated visceral fat tissue), high blood
pressure, elevated blood glucose level
(insulin resistance and Type II diabetes
mellitus), and high value of “bad” cholesterol
often shown as high triglyceride) in the
serum. It is said that, in Japan alone, about
twenty million people are at this risk, and the
combination including diabetes is said to be
the worst of all.
Without looking at their laboratory data,
those having metabolic syndrome look rather
healthier than a normal person; this is the
reason why they are hardly serious about
their own health risks. When Asians or
Hispanics become obese, they are more likely
to have metabolic syndrome than Caucasians
probably due to certain genetic differences. In
perspectives on life–began encouraging 㨪continued from page 1
the people to practice niwaka as a means of communication. On
the other hand, however, the people handed down the niwaka
tradition only through spoken words, for the policy makers
started restricting it when people’s political criticisms and
complaints went too far. Several centuries later, the niwaka has
lived to the modern age and Hakata Niwaka is the main stage
performance for the “Hakata Dontaku Festival”, which takes
place during the “Golden Week” (several holidays occurring
throughout the first week of May) of each year. In fact, there
are now more women, children, and other individuals outside of
Fukuoka who are exploring the niwaka culture.
Experience the hanmen and botekazura
At the Hakata Machiya Folk Museum in Hakata Ward, you can
discover the lifestyle and culture of old Hakata. Not only can you
try on the hanmen and botekazura here, but you can also see the
demonstration of traditional arts crafted with paper mâché. (The
program contents are subject to change daily.)
Hakata Machiya Folk Museum
Hours: 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. (Last admission at 5:30 p.m.)
Holidays: December 29th - 31st
Admission: ¥200 (Free for Elem. and J.H.S. Students)
Access: 5min. walk from Subway Gion Sta., No.2 exit
Contact: 092-281-7761
Otojiro Kawakami
The lively mood of Hakata, which has been vividly expressed
through the art of Hakata Niwaka, will eventually lead to the
debut of one prominent star known as “Otojiro Kawakami”.
Otojiro, who was born in the present Hakata Ward on New
Year’s Day, 1864, was known as “Warusou” (mischievous
child in Hakata dialect) since he was a little boy. In 1874, the
Freedom and People’s Rights Movement against the
addition, Japan’s economic development has
brought excessive calorie intakes and
sedentary works among the citizens, and
these in turn have resulted in unprecedented
health problems such as metabolic syndrome.
As everybody knows, a change in life style is
crucial for the prevention and treatment of
this syndrome, yet ensuring one’s health in a
complex modern society is harder than it
seems.
Nevertheless, let us start with anything that
could contribute to a person’s weight loss; for
example, engaging in a balanced diet,
walking exercise, etc. An encouraging phrase
was found in the journal TIME, p40, Sept. 17,
2007: “Modest amount of weight loss can
disproportionately benefit overall health,
even if the loss doesn’t feel or look like
much.” So, it is important to steadily become
healthy, while not giving up or rushing to
lose your weight. By doing so, you should be
able to enjoy the rest of your life in an
optimal health. government began. While the state heavily clamped down on
the activists, Otojiro joined and contributed to the democratic
movement. Following the footsteps of his father, who dearly
loved Hakata Niwaka, Otojiro exhibited his potential talent and
addressed his enlightenment philosophy on politics to the mass.
Though the police arrested him on several occasions, he did not
give up, once he realized that his jokes were politically nonoffensive when told humorously. In fact, they were quite
popular among the audience, and he immediately decided to be
apprenticed to the rakugo storytellers in Osaka to acquire more
skills. The “Oppekepe” verse he adopted there eventually
became predominant in Japan. By incorporating the above
rakugo phrase at the end of his comical satire, he truly exhibited
his own niwaka character that he had developed in Hakata. One
of his famous lines is as follows: “Kenri kofuku kiraina hitoni
jiyuto wo ba nomasetai oppekepe, oppekepeppo, peppoppo.” It
means, “Let the opponents of public rights and welfare feel the
power of liberal party!” The word “jiyu” means freedom in
Japanese; thus, “jiyuto” describes a liberal party. The
homophones expressed here is the word “to”, which could
either mean a “party” or “hot water”.Thus, the above phrase
could also mean: “Let the opponents of public rights and
welfare drink the freedom of ‘hot water’.” By using Hakata
niwaka as a tool to connote two seemingly different stories,
Otojiro had devised a way to openly express his political views
without upsetting the government, while grasping the public’s
interest at large.
After earning his fame in the “Oppekepe” verse, Otojiro, who
wanted more in his life, advanced to Tokyo with his theatrical
troupe. In order to appeal to the crowd’s interest on current
affair, they impersonated many important political figures of
that time; this was so original in Japan that even the kabuki
actors flocked to witness the play. The crown prince (later
Taisho Emperor) had also come to see
㨪continued on page 7
‒
4‒
November 2007
Coming Soon !
The prices quoted here may or may
not include a 5% consumption tax.
CONCERTS:
LATIN FESTIVAL “ANIMATE!”
Nov. 4 (Sun) 2:00p.m., 6:30p.m.
Zepp Fukuoka
¥3,500
YEFIM BRONFMAN PIANO RECITAL
Nov. 6 (Tue) 7:00p.m.
ACROS Fukuoka Symphony Hall
S¥7,000 A¥5,000 B¥3,000
VALERY GERGIEV CONDUCTS
THE MARIINSKY ORCHESTRA
Nov. 8 (Thu) 7:00p.m.
ACROS Fukuoka Symphony Hall
GS¥18,000 S¥15,000 A¥12,000 B¥9,000
CHRISTIAN THIELEMANN CONDUCTS
MUNCHNER PHILHARMONIKER
Nov. 9 (Fri) 7:00p.m.
ACROS Fukuoka Symphony Hall
GS¥18,000 S¥15,000 A¥12,000 B¥9,000
BORN CRAIN
Nov. 15 (Thu) 6:30p.m., 9:30p.m.
Billboard Live
¥6,000
LEDISI
Nov. 17 (Sat) 5:30p.m., 8:30p.m.
Billboard Live
¥7,000
SHAKATAK
Nov. 21 (Wed), 22 (Thu) 6:30p.m., 9:30p.m.
Billboard Live
¥8,400
CHRISTOPHER CROSS
Nov. 25 (Sun), 26 (Mon) time varies by date
Billboard Live
¥8,400
SEAN LENNON
Nov. 29 (Thu), 30 (Fri) 6:30p.m., 9:30p.m.
Billboard Live
¥7,000
KYUKAN PLAYS BEAUTIFUL SONGS
Nov. 30 (Fri) 7:00p.m.
Zepp Fukuoka
2F¥4,000 1F¥3,000
ACROS LUNCH TIME CONCERT
CHINESE INSTRUMENTAL SEXTET
Dec. 18 (Tue) 12:00p.m.
ACROS Fukuoka Symphony Hall
¥1,000
AMADEUS CHAMBER ORCHESTRA OF
POLISH RADIO WITH ATSUKO TEMMA
Dec. 19 (Wed) 7:00p.m.
ACROS Fukuoka Symphony Hall
S¥5,000 A¥4,000
GERHARD OPNITZ PIANO RECITAL
Dec. 20 (Thu) 7:00p.m.
ACROS Fukuoka Symphony Hall
S¥8,000 A¥6,000 B¥5,000
EVENTS:
NAKAMURA SONO RAKUGO NINGYO
NO SEKAI
Nov. 2 (Fri) - 11 (Sun) 10:00a.m.-8:00p.m.
GAYA (IMS 8F)
Free
HAKATA TENJIN RAKUGO MATSURI
Nov. 3 (Sat/holiday) 5:00p.m.,
4 (Sun) 11:00a.m., 2:30p.m., 6:00p.m.
Fukuoka Ginko Honten Hall, IMS Hall,
Nishitetsu Hall
¥5,000
SHOCHIKU DAIKABUKI SHUKI KOEN
Nov. 8 (Thu) 11:30a.m., 4:00p.m.
Fukuoka Sunpalace Hotel & Hall
S¥7,500 A¥5,500 B¥3,500
LEE BYUNG HUN
Nov. 17 (Sat) 1:00p.m.
Marine Messe Fukuoka
¥12,800
JONEN -OSHICHI AND CARMENNov. 18 (Sun) 2:30p.m., 6:00p.m.
ACROS Fukuoka Circular Hall
¥2,300
CHINA NATIONAL ACROBATIC TROUPE
Nov. 21 (Wed) 2:00p.m., 7:00p.m.
Fukuoka Sunpalace Hotel & Hall
S¥7,500 A¥5,500 B¥3,500
JANE BIRKIN JAPAN TOUR 2007
Nov. 23 (Fri/holiday) 6:00p.m.
Fukuoka Sunpalace Hotel and Hall
GS¥11,000 S¥9,000 A¥7,000
SUPER MAGIC 2007
Nov. 25 (Sun) 2:30p.m., 6:00p.m.
Fukuoka International Congress Center
S¥4,500 A¥3,000
HAPA MUSIC AND HULA CONCERT
Nov. 27 (Tue) 1:30p.m.
Fukuoka Shimin Kaikan Hall
¥4,500
BUNRAKU IROHA LECTURE
Nov. 28 (Wed), 29 (Thu) 7:00p.m.
ACROS Fukuoka Circular Hall
Adult ¥1,000
INTERNATIONAL
QUILT
WEEK
FUKUOKA 2007
Dec. 6 (Thu) - 8 (Sat) 10:00a.m. - 5:00p.m.
Fukuoka Yahoo! Japan Dome
¥1,600
FUKUOKA MOTOR SHOW 2007
Dec. 7 (Fri) - 10 (Mon) 9:00a.m. - 6:00p.m.
Marine Messe Fukuoka, Fukuoka Kokusai
Center, Fukuoka International Congress Center
Adult ¥1,200 Elm. S. Student ¥600
Ohori Koen Noh Theater
1-5 Ohori-Koen Park, Chuo-ku
Open 9:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
(Closed Mondays) Tel092-715-2155
http://www.ohori-nougaku.jp/index.cgi
*Free of charge unless specified
UMEWAKA SCHOOL
Rokuyo kai Noh and Maibayashi kai
(NOH, SHIMAI, MAIBAYASHI, RENGIN)
Nov. 3 (Sat/holiday) 9:30a.m.
KOH SCHOOL
Ichi no kai
(MAIBAYASHI, KOBAYASHI, HAYASHI)
Nov. 7 (Wed) 9:30a.m.
CHIKUZENBIWA RENGO KAI
ZENKOKU ENSOU TAIKAI
(CHIKUZENBIWA)
Nov. 10 (Sat) 12:00p.m.
¥2,000
KANZE SCHOOL
Fukuoka Subscription Performance
(NOH, KYOGEN, SHIMAI)
Nov. 11 (Sun) 12:00p.m.
¥5,000
Imamura Koryu kai
(SUUTAI, MAIBAYASHI)
Nov. 18 (Sun) 10:00a.m.
Kitsuki Seio kai
(SUUTAI, MAIBAYASHI, SHIMAI)
Nov. 23 (Fri/holiday) 9:30a.m.
Shiho kai & Shio kai Performance
(NOH, SUUTAI, BANBAYASHI, MAIBAYASHI)
Nov. 25 (Sun) 10:00a.m.
EXHIBITIONS:
Fukuoka City Museum
3-1-1 Momochihama, Sawara-ku
Open 9:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
(Closed Mondays) Tel092-845-5011
http://museum.city.fukuoka.jp
SPECIAL EXHIBITION
THE 20TH NEW COLLECTION
SPECIAL EXHIBITION “HISTORY
AND CULTURE OF FUKUOKA”
Nov. 8 (Thu) - Dec. 9 (Sun)
Adult ¥200 Univ. & H.S. Student ¥150
J.H.S. Student and under Free
“Fukuoka Hanshi in the late Edo Period”
Fukuoka Art Museum
1-6 Ohori-koen Park, Chuo-ku
Open 9:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
(Closed Mondays) Tel092-714-6051
http://www.fukuoka-art-museum.jp
THEME GALLERY
COMMEMORATING THE 50TH
ANNIVERSARY OF THE KYUSHU-HA
ESTABLISHMENT
“KYUSHU-HA REVISITED Τ”
Thru. Dec. 27 (Thu)
Adult ¥200 Univ. & H.S. Students ¥150
J.H.S. Students and under Free
Fukuoka Asian Art Museum
7 & 8 F, Riverain Center Bldg., 3-1
Shimokawabata-machi, Hakata-ku
Open 10:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
(Closed Wednesdays) Tel092-263-1100
http://faam.city.fukuoka.jp
EXHIBITION GALLERY
FASHIONING INDIA
Thru. Nov. 25 (Sun)
Adult ¥800 Univ. & H.S. Students ¥500
J.H.S. Students and under Free
Design㧦Ritu Kumar
‒
November 2007
5‒
Fukuoka Pref. Museum of Art
5-2-1TenjinChuo-ku, Fukuoka
Open 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
(Closed Mondays) Tel092-715-3551
http://fpmahs1.fpart-unet.ocn.ne.jp
EXHIBITION GALLERY
MAURICE UTRILLO -LE MONTMARTRE
DU REVE ET DE LA POESIE
Thru. Dec. 2 (Sun)
Adults ¥1,000 Univ. & H.S. Students ¥800
J.H.S. & Elem. Students ¥500
Kyushu National Museum
4-7-2IshizakaDazaifu
Open 9:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
(Closed Mondays) Tel092-918-2807
http://www.kyuhaku.com/pr/
SPECIAL EXHIBITION GALLERY
TREASURES OF HONGWANJI
ON THE 750TH MEMORIAL FOR
SHINRAN SHONIN
Thru. Nov. 18 (Sun)
Adult ¥1,300 Univ. & H.S. Students ¥1,100
J.H.S and Elem. School Students ¥600
“Peacooks in Pine trees and Cherry Blossoms” Illustrated
Mirror of Chinese Emperor, Nishi Hongwanji, Kyoto
Artium
IMS 8F, 1-7-11 Tenjin, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka
Open 10:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Tel092-733-2050
http://www.nishinippon.co.jp/jigyou/artium/index.php
DAIDO MORIYAMA EXHIBITION -THE
BEST AND THE LATEST OF DAIDOThru. Nov. 25 (Sun)
Adult ¥400 Student¥300
© Daido Moriyama
SPORTS:
<FOOTBALL>
AVISPA FUKUOKA
HOME GAMES
Vs. Tokushima Vortis
Nov. 18 (Sun) 5:00p.m.
Vs. Sagan Tosu
Dec. 1 (Sat) 12:00
Tickets: ¥3,500 - ¥1,000
Venue: Hakata no Mori Stadium
Tickets/Inquiry: Avispa Fukuoka
Tel: 092-725-7216
<BASEBALL>
FRIENDLY BASEBALL GAME
Japan vs. Australia
Nov. 22 (Thu), 23 (Fri) 6:30p.m.
Venue: Fukuoka Yahoo! JAPAN Dome
Tickets: ¥4,000 - ¥1,000
Tickets/Inquiry: Fukuoka Soft Bank Hawks
Tel: 092-847-1536
“Le Lapin Agile” Vers1912
<SUMO>
THE NOVEMBER GRAND
TOURNAMENT
Nov. 11 (Sun) - 25 (Sun)
Venue: Fukuoka Kokusai Center
Tickets: ¥14,300 - ¥3,100
Inquiry: Fukuoka Senpatsu Jimusho
Tel: 092-291-9311
<VOLLEYBALL>
WORLD CUP 2007 MEN THE 3RD PHASE
Nov. 25 (Sun) - 27 (Tue)
Venue: Marine Messe Fukuoka
Nations: ARG, EGY, ESP, JPN, PUR, RUS
Tickets: ¥10,000 - ¥500
Inquiry: World Cup Volleyball Fukuoka Office
TEL: 092-738-2235
URL: http://www.vbworldcup.jp/2007/en/
<BASKETBALL>
BJ LEAGUE RIZING FUKUOKA
HOME GAME
Vs. Ryukyu Golden Kings
Nov. 21 (Wed), 22 (Thu) 6:30p.m.
Venue: Kyuden Kinen Taiikukan
Inquiry: Fukuoka Probasketball Club
TEL: 092-771-6675
URL: http://rizing-fukuoka.com/index.html
<GYMNASTICS>
RHYTHMIC GYMNASTICS
INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION IN
FUKUOKA 2007
Dec. 15 (Sat) , 16 (Sun) 3:00p.m.
Venue: Fukuoka Kokusai Center
Tickets: Adult ¥3,500 Children ¥2,500
Inquiry: Rhythmic Gymnastics International
Competition in FUKUOKA 2007 Committee
TEL: 092-852-6653
URL: http://www.rkb.ne.jp/shintaisou/
MOVIES:
*Movies are designated by the following codes:
A-Arabic, ((C)-Chinese, (D)-Danish,
(E)-English, (F)-French, (FI)-Finnish,
(G)-German, (H)-Hindi, (J)-Japanese, (K)-Korean,
(P)-Portuguese, (R)-Russian, (RO)-Romanian,
(S)-Spanish, (SW)-Swedish, (T)-Turkish, etc.
The schedule is subject to change without notice.
NAKASU TAIYO
(ਛᵮᄢᵗ291-4058)
SUMO
SCHEDULED FOR NOVEMBER
“HAIRSPRAY” (E) “ZOU NO SENAKA” (J)
“THE BRAVE ONE” (E) (R-15)
“THE DEATH AND LIFE OF BOBBY Z ” (E)
“THE NUMBER 23” (E) (R-15)
TENJINTOHO
(ᄤ␹᧲ቲ762-6666)
SCHEDULED FOR NOVEMBER
“HERO” (J)
“THE KINGDOM” (E)
“THE GOOD SHEPHERD” (E)(S)(G)(R)
“RESIDENT EVIL: EXTINCTION” (E)(PG-12)
“THE BOURNE ULTIMATUM” (E)(F)(A)(R)(S)
“DISTURBIA” (E)(S)
CINETERRIE TENJIN
(ࠪࡀ࠹࡝ࠛᄤ␹ 781-5508)
SCHEDULED FOR NOVEMBER
“PAN’S LABYRINTH” (S)
“KURT COBAIN ABOUT A SON” (E)
“STILL LIFE” (C)
“LA DEMOISELLE D’HONNEUR” (F)
“THIS IS BOSSA NOVA” (P)
“TRACES OF LOVE” (K)
HAN-RYU CINEMA FESTIVAL 2007
Nov. 17 - Dec. 7
SOLARIA CINEMA
(࠰࡜࡝ࠕࠪࡀࡑ733-7375)
SCHEDULED FOR NOVEMBER
“LA VIE EN ROSE” (E)(F)
“STARDUST” (E)
RERUN
“MAIKO HAAAAN!!!” (J)
“SAW 4” (E)
UNITED CINEMAS CANAL CITY 13
(㩟㩏㨼㩍㨹㩎㩨㨯㩆㩒㩙㩁㨶㩏㩣㩆㩍㨲13272-2222)
SCHEDULED FOR NOVEMBER
“THE INVASION” (E)
“HAIRSPRAY” (E)
“THE GOOD SHEPHERD” (E)(S)(G)(R)
“APPLESEED SAGA: EX MACHINA” (J)
“STARDUST” (E)
“STORMBREAKER” (E)
“THE BRAVE ONE” (E) (R-15)
“RESIDENT EVIL: EXTINCTION” (E) (PG-12)
“THE BOURNE ULTIMATUM” (E)(F)(A)(R)(S)
“FLIGHT OF FURY” (E)
“ATTACK FORCE” (E)
“VACANCY” (E) (PG-12)
“THE NUMBER 23” (E) (R-15)
“A MIGHTY HEART” (E)
“URBAN JUSTICE” (E)
“DISTURBIA” (E)(S)
UNITED CINEMAS FUKUOKA
(㩟㩏㨼㩍㨹㩎㩨㨯㩆㩒㩙⑔ጟ 844-5645 771-8600)
SCHEDULED FOR NOVEMBER
“THE INVASION” (E)
“HAIRSPRAY” (E)
“THE GOOD SHEPHERD” (E)(S)(G)(R)
“STARDUST” (E)
“THE BRAVE ONE” (E) (R-15)
“RESIDENT EVIL: EXTINCTION” (E) (PG-12)
“THE BOURNE ULTIMATUM” (E)(F)(A)(R)(S)
“THE NUMBER 23” (E) (R-15)
KBC CINEMA
(KBCࠪࡀࡑ751-4268)
SCHEDULED FOR NOVEMBER
“LA SCONOSCIUTA” (I) (R-15)
“I’M CYBORG, BUT THAT’S OK” (K)
“VENUS” (E)
“ITALIANETZ” (R) (PG-12)
“CANDY” (E) (R-15)
“THE CATS OF MIRIKITANI” (J)(E)
CINE LIBRE HAKATA STATION
(ࠪࡀ࡝࡯ࡉ࡞ඳᄙ㚞434-3691)
SCHEDULED FOR NOVEMBER
“TRANSYLVANIA” (F) (RO)(E)
“NARCO” (F) (PG-12)
“AFTER THE WEDDING” (D)(SW)(H)(E)
“BLACK SNAKE MOAN”(E) (PG-12)
‒
6‒
November 2007
Rainbow Plaza
Corner
Other Information
3) ENGLISH INTERPRETER WANTED
For more information: Rainbow Plaza Tel: 733-2220
1) FUKUOKA MUNICIPAL HOUSING
FREE COUNSELING
*your PRIVACY guaranteed.
A. Appointment required
(Rainbow Plaza Tel: 733-2220)
1) Legal Counseling
Dates: Every 1st and 3rd Saturday (2nd and
3rd Saturday in November)
<Date: Nov. to Jan.>
Nov. 10 & 17, Dec. 1 & 15, Jan. 5 & 19
Time: 1:00 - 4:00 p.m.
*45 minutes / person
*An interpreter provided upon request.
2) Personal (Psychological) Counseling
Dates:(Mon) 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
(Thurs) 10:00 a.m.- 12:30 p.m.
(1st, 3rd Sat) 4:15 - 7:00 p.m.
(other Sat) 3:00 - 7:00 p.m.
*An English-speaking professional available.
*Timetable is subject to change.
B. Appointment NOT required
(Come directly to Rainbow Plaza.)
1) Free Counseling
on Immigration, Residency, and Nationality
Dates: Every 2nd Sunday
Time: 1:00 - 4:00 p.m.
*Interpreters (English & Chinese) available.
2) Health Consultation
Dates: Every Wednesday.
Time: 5:00 -7:00 p.m.
Fukuoka City Public Housing Supply
Corporation will be accepting applications
for municipal housing.
Application Period: Nov. 7 (Wed) - 16 (Fri)
Application forms are available at the
Housing Supply Corporation, Citizens
Advice Offices at ward offices, Fukuoka
Information Plaza, etc.
Inquiry: Fukuoka City Public Housing
Supply Corporation
4-1 Tenyamachi, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka
TEL: 092-271-0901
URL: http://www.nicety.or.jp (in Japanese)
2) HIV ANTIBODY TEST
December 1st is the World AIDS Day.
Thanks to the recent medical advances, it is
now possible to suppress and control AIDS
by taking and continuing appropriate
treatments.
Free and anonymous tests will be available
on this occasion. No reservations necessary.
Date/time: Nov. 30 (Fri) 4:30p.m.-7:30p.m.
Venue: Kego Koen Park (Tenjin, Chuo-ku)
Capacity: First 100
*For accurate results, the test must be taken
three
months
after
the
likely
date of your infection.
*The test result will be handed directly to the
person in one or two weeks.
Inquiries:
<Application Dates>
Nov. 9 (Fri) 10a.m. ~ 11 (Sun) 4p.m.
*Fill out an application form at Rainbow Plaza.
*All foreign students are applicable (including pre-college
“Shugakusei” students), residing or studying within the Fukuoka
metropolitan Area.
*Students ID required.
*If two or more people are applying for the same item, then
a draw will be held.
*Application will be extended until Nov. 18 (Sun)
4p.m.in case any items are left over (Extended application
will be held on “first-come and first-served” basis).
<ITEMS THIS MONTH>
ԘSofa ԙWooden Hanger Rack
ԚLow Table
ԛ Microwave Stand
ԜKitchen Counter ԝTV Stand
ԞExercise Machine ԟComputer Desk
ԠWardrobe
ԡShelf
ԙHangerRack
ԡDeskChair
ԚLow Table
ԡShelf
Professional Basketball team, Rizing
Fukuoka is now looking for volunteer
English interpreters.
Rizing Fukuoka
belongs to the bj league, the first professional
basketball league in Japan, and 2007-2008
season has just started; See p.5 for the game
schedule.
Job description: Interpretation between
Japanese and English
Those who can accompany the team to
practice and game venues, are interested in
sports business, are willing to become an
interpreter for professional sports team in the
future, are 18 years old or over, and have
experiences in basketball will be considered.
Compensation package: No salary.
Transport expenses to and from practice and
game facilities will be provided. In addition,
meals will be served on the game day .
Application: Please send your resume with
your headshot to the following address or
Email. Interview dates will be notified after
reviewing the applications.
Inquiry: Fukuoka Probasketball Club
TEL: 092-771-6675
Email: onikura@rizing-fukuoka.com
URL: http://rizing-fukuoka.com
Health Promotion and Disease
*An English-speaking volunteer doctor available.
*No medical treatments or prescriptions provided.
SECOND-HAND FURNITURE
Prevention Section, FukuokaCity
TEL: 092-711-4270
Flea Market
TNC, Momochihama
Date: Nov. 3(Sat), 4(Sun), 10(Sat), 11(Sun),
17(Sat), 18(Sun), 24 (Sat), 25(Sun)
Dec. 1(Sat), 2(Sun), 15(Sat), 16(Sun)
Time: 10:00a.m.-3:00p.m.
Place: Next to the TNC Building
Bus stop: Fukuoka Tower South Exit
Minami Ward Office
Date: Nov. 10(Sat), 24(Sat), Dec. 8(Sat ), 22(Sat)
Time: 10:00a.m.-3:00p.m.
Place: Minami Ward Office Parking Lot
Station: Nishitetsu Ohashi Station
Evergreen Marinoa
Date: Nov. 25 (Sun), Dec. 23 (Sun)
Time: 10:00a.m.-3:00p.m.
Place: Marinoa City near the Ferris wheel
Bus Stop: Marinoa City
------------------------------------------------Inquiry: Nishinihon Citizen’s Recycle Movement
TEL: 092-752-7761 FAX: 092-752-7766
Email: info@kurukuru.net
URL: http://www.kurukuru.net
Dazaifu Tenjin Omoshiro Ichi
Date: Dec. 1 (Sat), 2 (Sun)
Time: 10:00a.m.-5:00p.m.
Place: Tenjin Hiroba, Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine
Station: Nishitetsu Dazaifu Station
------------------------------------------------Inquiry: Dazaifu Tenjin Omoshiro Ichi Office
TEL: 092-922-9955
The Flea Market in Ogori
Date: Nov. 25 (Sun), Dec. 16 (Sun)
Time: 9:00a.m.-2:00p.m.
Place: Mitsui Seikaichiba
Station: Nishitetsu Ogori
------------------------------------------------Inquiry: The Flea Market
TEL: 0942-72-3111
KUROKAWA ONSEN
YUFUIN ONSEN
ONSEN
twin room) >10,000㨪
Have a fantastic day in
a Japanese Style villa
(Ryokan)
Including Breakfast + Dinner
ALL DESTINATIONS AVAILABLE.
PLEASE CALL US NOW!!
LEISURE PLAN CO., LTD.
ACROS Fukuoka BLDG. 3F. 092-725-9090
http://www.ontheday.co.jp/
Email: info@ontheday.co.jp
~ OPEN 365 DAYS! ~
‒
November 2007
㨪continued from page 3
one of their performances. Later, Otojiro received the monetary support of one geisha
named “Yakko” (his later wife) and began traveling abroad to
gain new theatrical experiences. Even during this time, he did
not forget to perform in his hometown, Hakata. From the
earnings he made, he donated approximately 50yen (equivalent
of buying 1,000 bags of rice then) towards the renovation of
embankment in Naka River. Following his success, he
challenged in instituting a theatre in Tokyo, while running for
the Lower Election, but he failed in both of the attempts. This
ultimately triggered him to leave Japan with his troupe
(consisting 19 people including his wife) for the United States
in 1989. Initially, they struggled on the edge of starvation and
fell down on the American platform; however, this natural act
of “falling down on the stage” had many Americans believe in
their genuine and talented performances. In order to appeal
more effectively to the western audiences, Otojiro started
rewriting Shakespeare’s plays into Japanese; in fact, Otojiro
and his troupe were the first ones to introduce them to Japan. Thereafter, they moved to Europe and were given the
opportunities to perform at the Buckingham Palace in England
and the Paris Exposition in France, where Yakko earned her
fame as “Madame Sada Yakko”. The amount of compliments
given to the troupe’s performance could be understood from
artistic geniuses; for example, Pablo Picasso sketched the harakiri performance of Sada Yakko when he was 19 years old, and
Claude Debussy’s classical masterpiece, “La Mer” was inspired
from the sound of koto (Japanese harp) used in their stage
music. Even the master sculptor, Auguste Rodin, had repeatedly
begged Sada Yakko to be a model for his sculpture; however,
she did not recognize him at that time and simply denied his
request. Their triumph continued thereafter, and Otojiro was
awarded with Legion d'honneur by the French government and
given a crested golden clock from the Czar of Russia.
Upon returning to Japan, the troupe performed Shakespeare to
meet the crowd’s demand despite the bashing of critics. In
addition, they created a children’s play, and invited elementary
and girl’s school students for the Hakata performance for free
of charge. Otojiro, who had previously failed in establishing a
theatre of his own, would successfully accomplish his dream in
Osaka this time. In his new theatre, Teikokuza, he challenged in
establishing a new theatrical environment that had eventually
set the foundation for today’s theatre. First, he reduced the
admission to half the amount of other first-class theatres. Then,
he abolished the custom of eating and drinking, smoking, and
charging for zabutons (Japanese cushions). Lastly but not the
Hakata Geigi
Today, there are some people who are training to succeed the
traditions from the Meiji period; one of them is known as
“Hakata Geigi”. They are called “geisha” in Kanto region, and
they entertain the guests with traditional dance and shamisen
(three-stringed instrument). You may have seen maikosan once
when you have traveled to Kyoto, but you should know that
they are actually trained professionals who become geigi later.
Of the 2,000 Hakata geigi seen during the Meiji and Taisho
periods, there are only 19 of them left now. At one wooden
house called, “Hakata Kenban” in Nakasu, geigi’s arrangement
with the guests and trainings are being carried out everyday.
For those people who never had the chance to explore the world
of geigi, do not worry, there are three festivals throughout the
year in which you could see them!
7‒
least, he introduced an advance ticket sale for the reservations
on jinriki-sha or rickshaws for the guests. In 1911, however,
Otojiro’s sickness worsened during the show in Teikokuza. His
wife, whom had prepared for his death, had brought him onto
the stage that he loved the most, and he took his last breath at
the age of 47. More than 10,000 people attended his Osaka
funeral, while the telegrams coming from European and North
American countries amounted to 600. Later, the troupe
chartered a train and transported his body to Hakata where
30,000 people gathered for his grand funeral. His remains were
buried in Jotenji Temple in the Hakata Ward, and it now rests
peacefully there blessing the lively city of Hakata from the stars
above. Though the year 2010 will mark the centennial of his death,
the existence of Otojiro may be departing away from the minds
of youth; however, his life has been brought forward once
again. The “Theatre Creation” opening this month in Hibiya,
Tokyo, will host its grand opening play titled, “Osorewo
Shiranu Kawakami Otojiro Ichiza” or “The Intrepid
Adventurers, Otojiro Kawakami’s troupe” written by the
popular playwright, Koki Mitani.
On a voyage across the world, Otojiro, who dearly wanted to
express his love for Hakata, could not help but to ask all the
passengers on board to celebrate the moment in his life with a
bottle of champagne and three cheers to the “Hakata Banzai”.
Truly, his lovable character is a living legend. Places to visit for the
tracks of Otojiro
1Otojiro’s birth monument:
Okihama Inari Shrine
(3 Komondo-machi, Hakata-ku)
2 Otojiro’s dedication monument:
Kushida Shrine
(1 Kamikawabata-machi, Hakata-ku)
ŕũŦġŭŰůŨĮŦŴŵŢţŭŪŴũŦťġŋŢűŢůŦŴŦġŴŸŦŦŵŴġŴũŰűĭġŊŴũŪŮŶųŢġŎŢůŴŦŪťŰġ
ńŰįġ ōŵťįĭġ ũŢŴġ ŴŵŢųŵŦťġ ŪŵŴġ ţŶŴŪůŦŴŴġ ţźġ ųŦůŵŪůŨġ ŰŶŵġ Ţġ űŰųŵŪŰůġ Űŧġ
ŐŵŰūŪųŰȧŴġ ųŦŴŪťŦůŤŦįġ Őůġ ŐŵŰūŪųŰȧŴġ ųŦŲŶŦŴŵĭġ ŵũŦġ ųŦůŵġ ŦŢųůŦťġ
ũŢŴġţŦŦůġŢųųŢůŨŦťġŢůťġťŰůŢŵŦťġŵŰġŵũŦġŌŶŴũŪťŢġŔũųŪůŦįġ
3 “Oppekepe” statue: ŐųŪŨŪůŢŭŭźġűŭŢŤŦťġŢŵġŵũŦġŦůŵųŢůŤŦġŰŧġ
ŌŢŮŪŬŢŸŢţŢŵŢġŴũŰűűŪůŨġŢųŤŢťŦġŪůġʼnŢŬŢŵŢĮŬŶļġũŰŸŦŷŦųĭġťŶŦġŵŰġŢġ
ŴŪŵŦ ġ ŤŰůŴŵųŶŤŵŪŰůĭ ġ Ūŵ ġ ũŢŴ ġ ţŦŦů ġ ŵŦŮűŰųŢųŪŭź ġ ŵųŢůŴŧŦųųŦť ġ ŵŰġ
ʼnŢŬŢŵŢġņŭŦŮŦůŵŢųźġŔŤũŰŰŭġŶůŵŪŭġůŦŹŵġŴűųŪůŨįġ
ٟ Hakata Odori (December 7th - 8th, 2007):ȱ ••ȬœŠ›ȱ
Ž’’ȱŒŠœȱ ’••ȱ™›ŽœŽ—ȱ›Š’’˜—Š•ȱŠ™Š—ŽœŽȱ–žœ’ŒȱŠ—ȱŠ—ŒŽȱ
Šȱ ‘Žȱ Š”ŠŠ£Šȱ ’—ȱ Š”ŠŠȬ”žǯȱ ˜––Ž–˜›Š’—ȱ ’œȱ ŗŝ‘ȱ
Š——’ŸŽ›œŠ›¢ǰȱ ‘Žȱ ȃ
Š”ŠŠȱ ˜›’Ȅȱ ‘Šœȱ ‹ŽŒ˜–Žȱ Šȱ ™Š›ȱ ˜ȱ
œŽŠœ˜—Š•ȱ›Š’’˜—ȱ’—ȱž”ž˜”Šǯȱ‘Žȱ’Œ”Žœȱ›Š—ȱ˜žȱšž’Œ”•¢ǰȱ
œ˜ȱŒŠ••ȱ˜Š¢ȱ’ȱ¢˜žȱ Š—ȱ˜ȱŠ››Š—ŽȱŠȱ˜˜ȱœŽŠǷȱ
’–ŽDZȱŗŗDZŖŖȱŠǯ–ǯȱǭȱŘDZřŖȱ™ǯ–ǯȱ
ŽŽœDZȱǜŝǰŖŖŖȱȱǜśǰŖŖŖȱȱǜřǰŖŖŖȱȱǜŘǰŖŖŖȱ
˜—ŠŒDZȱ
Š”ŠŠȱŽ—˜ȱŽ’—˜ȱ‘’—”˜”Š’ȱȱȱŽ•ǯȱŖşŘȬŚŚŗȬŘŗśŖȱ
ٟ Kachi Mairi (January 9th of each year):ȱ Ž’’ȱ ’••ȱ
Œ˜–Žȱ ™Š¢ȱ Šȱ Ÿ’œ’ȱ ˜›ȱ ‘Žȱ ˜”Šȱ ‹’œžȱ Žœ’ŸŠ•ȱ Šȱ ‘Žȱ ˜”Šȱ
‹’œžȱ‘›’—ŽȱŠȱ
’Šœ‘’ȱ˜Ž—ǰȱ˜œ‘’£ž”Šǰȱ
Š”ŠŠȬ”žǯȱ
ٟ Hakata Dontaku Festival (May 3rd - 4th of each
year): ȱ •• ȱ ˜ ȱ Š”ŠŠ ȱ Ž’’ ȱ ’•• ȱ ™•Š¢ ȱ Š— ȱ ™Ž›˜›–ȱ
›Š’’˜—Š•ȱ œ‘Š–’œŽ—ǰȱ œ˜—œǰȱ ›ž–œǰȱ Š—ȱ Š—ŒŽȱ Šȱ œŽŸŽ›Š•ȱ
œŠŽœȱ’—ȱ˜ —ǯȱȱ
㨪continued on page 8
‒
8‒
November 2007
above, what is it about Fukuoka that
brings a lot of talents?
Fukuoka’s Environment
“Diet”
Not only is Fukuoka dwelt by people
from Kyushu, but it is also filled with
many people from all across Japan and
Asia due to its comfortable living and
convenience.
While Hakata Niwaka disseminated
culturally, people simultaneously learned
Photo: a scene from Hakata Odori,
courtesy of Hakata Dento Geino Shinkokai how to entertain themselves and others
㨪continued from page 7 by engaging in annual events like Hakata
Dontaku Festival (a parade full of colour
The current scene in Fukuoka
and dance) and boisterous Hakata Gion
After a period of time, Hakata will Yamagasa Festival; thus, the playful
once again flourish the city with a new spirits of Hakata have never rested and
wave of entertainment. In 1966, the have been in effect until this day. In fact,
arrival of The Beatles, which had a major “enjoyment” and “pleasure” has both
impact on the youngsters, set a new tone been an integral part of their lifestyle,
in the scene of mainstream music in and it surely is in their blood. As a result,
Japan. By the early 1970’s, Fukuoka
people
are
consciously
representative musicians supporting the local artists through
from Japan such as Yosui various events in town. Inoue, Tulip, Kaientai, Kai
Band,
and
Tsuyoshi <Music City Tenjin>
Nagabuchi all debuted one The project began in 2002 as way to
Illustration: Seigo Sakai
after another, and Tenjin’s revitalize Tenjin while expanding
“Showa” live house, which Fukuoka’s musical scene; some of you enhancing
the
attractiveness
and
they had all sang their songs, hascaught might have enjoyed it on the 13th and 14th liveliness of downtown areas. Those are
the nation wide spotlight.
of last month. The executive committee accomplished by recruiting local
“Showa” reopened in November 2002, consists
of
the
Fukuoka
City, musicians and dancers, and having them
and now you can take a look at the transportation
and
commercial perform on scheduled dates at selected
collections of musicians’ photos, businesses, local media companies, etc. venues. For example, there are 50
autographs,
and
There are special stages placed around occasions throughout the year (i.e.
articles;
in
the
afternoon,
Saturdays,
Tenjin (free of charge) in addition to the weekday’s
evening, a regular
pay-events, and every corner of Tenjin Sundays, Holidays, etc.) where places
café will transform
comes together for the celebration of like Fukuoka City Hall Square, Kego
into an open live
Koen, and so forth are filled with colorful
music during this time. music session.
talents and vibrant atmosphere. In 2006,
Showa
a total of 214 groups participated for this
Address: Fukuda Bldg. B1F, 2-10-2,
event.
Tenjin, Chuo-ku
Applications are accepted at any time;
Tel/Fax: 092-751-5636
however, the applicants will need to
Hours: Café 10:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
attend a briefing session prior to the
Live Stage 7:00 p.m. -10:00 p.m.
event.
**********
Contact: “Street Performance” desk
Even after the 80s, Fukuoka’s
(Inside Tenjin FM) Tel: 092-734-5462
acceleration in producing famous actors,
<Canal City Incubation Stage>
singers and entertainers does not come to
In the aim of spotting and supporting
a halt. Starting with the linkman Tamori,
flourishing artists from Kyushu, Canal
for the hit TV variety live show,
Photo:
a
scene
from
MCT2006,
courtesy
of
City is currently looking for talented
“Iitomo,” (airing for over 25 years), there
Music City Tenjin executive committee
musicians and dancers. The best
are singers from Fukuoka including
performer will be chosen after the
Ayumi Hamasaki, Kiyoshi Hikawa, and <Street Performance Project>
others who have entered the annual year- Have you ever heard about the Fukuoka screening procedure (happening every
end music shows. In the 30th Japan City’s “Street Performance Project” that month) and will have a chance to perform
Academy Awards held last Feburary, has been going on since 2003? Its live on stage at Canal City on Saturday.
actress Yu Aoi from Fukuoka has won primary mission is to promote Fukuoka’s Contact: Canal City Incubation Stage
the Award for “Best Supporting development in art, culture, music, and Head Office (Inside Canal Entertainment
Actress”. In addition, the comedian pair, related industries, while at the same time, Works Co., Ltd.) Tel: 092-263-4255
̌Hakata Hanamaru and Daikichi” from
the talent production, Yoshimoto Kogyo
In Japan there’s a proverb that says, “Gei wa mi wo tasukeru,” which means,
Co., Ltd., has brought a series of laughter
̌Accomplishments are a friend in need.” If you ever want to make a difference,
amongst the TV viewers with their comic
or
have an ambition of entertaining others, why not find ways to exhibit your
punch lines in Hakata accent. As seen
talent in Fukuoka, a Mecca for would-be artists and stars...