From the Editor

Greetings to all,
I hope you enjoy this farewell edition of FIA Monthly.
Thanks go to Andrew, Anna , and Will for contributing to this month’s edition.
Until next month, enjoy the sakura.            -kim

The End of the "Danchi Jidai" - by Andrew

This is an article about history. No, not the usual boring history, like “some guy was King, and then he died and another guy became King” or “two countries were pissed off at each other, so they had a war.” No, this article is about the only history that matters, the only history that we care about….that’s right….FIA history!

All FIA historians will know that last November a very important chapter in the annals of FIA history was closed. In that month the last two FIA trainers living in Yazaki company housing (specifically Building #54) moved out (or perhaps more accurately, “were moved out”). But when did it all begin?

In order to answer this question, we have to look back into the dark mists of FIA pre-history. Back when the first OJT trainers arrived in Japan at the end of the Edo Period, Yazaki company housing was provided to them. It was inexpensive, convenient, and provided protection from the angry hordes who wanted to chop their heads off. These first trainers were proud, brave and relentless in their quest to spread word of their culture and religion, experience the secrets of the orient, and find beer machines that didn’t shut down at 11:00 p.m.

Back when I first arrived in Japan (at the end of World War II), the vast majority of trainers were living in Yazaki company housing. General MacArthur himself was a frequent visitor to the danchi in those days. I clearly remember the supreme commander standing on my balcony, looking south towards Suruga Bay. Turning to me he said, “Are there any beer machines around here?” (He may have added, “that don’t shut down at 11:00 p.m.” but I don’t remember. That was a while ago now.)

Of course the original rationale for having FIA trainers living in Yazaki housing was to facilitate “intercultural communication.” Whether or not the experiment was successful from an “intercultural” standpoint is up for debate, but we did sometimes have the opportunity to meet and communicate with Japanese police officers when they were summoned to Building #54 by other residents of the building who felt that FIA parties had gone on too long and/or were too loud. The police officers were always very polite, however. Usually they just checked that everything was okay, suggested that we keep the noise down and reminded us of the location of the nearest beer machines (although it was probably past 11:00 p.m. by that time.)

And what of the parties? Are the legends about Building #54 parties actually true? Well, lets just say that Building #54 (or “Studio 54” as it was known back in its 70’s heyday) saw more than its fair share of partying. In those days, it wasn’t unusual to meet Mick or Rod at a Building #54 bash (although they stopped going when things got a bit “too wild” for them).

You’re probably asking yourself at this point, “Was any beer consumed in Building #54?” The answer is, in a word, “yes” (although, as a teetotaler, I never drank any myself, opting instead for fruit juice or herbal tea). FIA trainers were known to have the odd small glass of beer from time to time (just enough to “wet their whistles” as it were), although on occasion larger quantities were consumed. I can, however, put to rest once and for all the rumour that FIA trainers drained the danchi pool of water, filled it with beer and went swimming. In fact, we only got the pool about a quarter filled before, you guessed it, the beer machines shut down.

On my last day in the danchi, I got up early and watched the first rays of the sunrise illuminate Mt. Fuji for the last time. It was a somewhat sad and melancholy moment, for I realized that the days of FIA trainers in Yazaki apartments had come to an end. Never again would we be out en masse to pick up cigarette butts on Sunday mornings, nor would any trainer amaze and infuriate Yazaki employees by leaving their futons out overnight. It had all come to an end.

My danchi history is being erased as each building is destroyed. Now three of the four danchi buildings I’ve lived in (#53 and #54 in Iwanami and #3 in Shimada) have been torn down (I lived in #55 for nearly two years but it’s still standing). Although the buildings have been destroyed, no one can take away my cherished memories of danchi life. Yazaki Danchi Building #54 may be gone, but for those of us who lived there, partied there and sometimes worried that we would be crushed to death there, it will live on forever in our hearts.

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Flower Viewing Spots for Hanami Season

• Mar-April
  • Shimizu Funakoshi Tutsumi Park—sakura
  • Shizuoka Nihondaira—sakura, rape blossoms
  • Matsuzaki-cho, Izu –sakura
  • Hamamatsu Flower Park –sakura, tulips
  • In and around Hakone
• April—Mid May
  • Ito City, Izu, Mt. Komuro Park—azaleas
• April—June
  • Fujuroi, Kasui yuri no sono—lilies

Sayonarra Interview with Anna White

• What is your most treasured memory of your time in Japan? The view of Japan from the top of Mt. Fuji- sweeet.
• What is your funniest memory? When I saw an infant in a diaper drinking a can of beer on the train.
• What’s your most embarrassing moment in Japan? Too difficult to narrow down.
• Do you have a “warm fuzzy” memory? The smell of roasting green tea and my KOTATSU.
• What’s the best thing in Japan? Availability of matcha flavored anything!

• The worst thing in Japan? Typhoon season.
• What’s the best Japanese word/phrase? DAIJOBU YO!

• What’s the best place in Japan? Makinohara, Osaka and Kyoto.
• What’s the best restaurant in Japan? Sakurai in Shimada (okonomiyaki).

• What’s the worst thing in Japan? Smoking.
• What’s your favorite Japanese food? Okonomiyaki/ramen/soba/unagi and Mos Burger are all tied.
• Prefer futon or bed? Both! Either.
• Favorite thing to teach? Free conversation.
• Favorite movie? Death to Smoochy
• Favorite sound? Haibara Yazaki's lunch bell jingles including American classics such as "I've been workin' on the railroad".

• Hated sound? Bosozoku at 2 a.m. in the morning.
• Favorite music? Para-Para trance.
• Most useless bit of trivia? The official dirt of Michigan state is Kalkaska sand. Go MI.!
• Person you admire the most? Not sure.
• What do you think you will miss about life in Japan? Seasonal Kit-Kats, Konbini, sakura, and of course, friends.
• What won’t you miss? Crowded, smelly trains.
• Any regrets? Nope.
• Any advice for those left behind? Avoid the FUGU- it almost killed Homer Simpson.

Art Meets Snow

The temperature may have been -8° C. but there were hundreds of people enduring the freezing temps to carve incredible, intricate, fascinating, and whimsical works of art, creating a wonderland of snow sculptures.

This is what awaits those willing to venture north in early February for the renowned Sapporo Yuki Matsuri (Snow Festival). I went a few days early mostly to avoid the crowds (over 2 million people visit every year), but going in the week prior also allows you to watch the work in-progess, which I think is more interesting than just viewing the finished product in long lines along with the other 2 million people.

The giant sculptures were amazing. Several of them formed the backdrop for light and sound shows at night. I thought the most spectacular sculpture was the replica of the main hall at Horyuji Temple in Nara. Built using the actual plans for the building, the detail was incredible. Filling the areas between the big commercial sculptures were hundreds of smaller ones created by the people of Sapporo. There were no less than three of these paying homage to Larry’s most famous student.

Not far from the main site in Odori Park, the Susukino district, known for its nearly 4,500 restaurants, clubs, bars, and karaoke places, is where you’ll see some incredible ice sculptures during the Snow Festival.

There’s also an international snow sculpture competition. Teams from around the world participate. Watching them at work, I wondered how the teams from Hawaii, Guam, Hong Kong, India, Singapore, Malaysia, and India were coping with the below zero weather. The Canadians in the group may be happy to know team Canada was the winner this year.

There are other things to see and do while in Sapporo; it has several buildings of historical importance, including several Sapporo Beer factories. When Japanese think of Sapporo they think of the old clock tower which has become a symbol of the city. It now houses a museum of history of the area with exhibits in English as well as Japanese. Of course, there are skiing and snowboarding hills nearby for those so inclined.

One of the reasons to go to Hokkaido is to enjoy the abundance of its good food. Most famous are the baked potatoes, corn, crab, and of course ramen. If you go to the fish market you can practically make a meal of the fresh crab samples handed out.

It’s very easy to find your way around Sapporo. Even in the heavy snow storms I found my way from one end of town to the other without getting lost. (The only place I got lost in was the train station.) Even walking to the Sapporo Beer Garden from the city center is doable. It’s one of the popular places for “All you can eat Genghis-Khan Barbecue.” Walking there is good way to work up an appetite for the numerous plates of lamb and vegetables brought to your table. I didn’t need to eat for two days afterwards. Did I mention one of the reasons to go to Sapporo is to eat? The food really is good there.

If you find yourself needing a winter break, a visit to Sapporo is a good diversion for the winter blues!

FOR SALE Corner

"I'll make you an offer you can't refuse..."

For Sale: Excellent Condition YAMAHA CLAVINOVA CVP-8 AWM

Contact Will at the training center if you're interested.

From the Clubhouse

Thanks go out to the PP Committee for a successful transition, and especially to Kim for taking over the Monthly Editorship!

The new Social Committee (Lani, Dale and Chris Madere) have their work cut out for them, and are looking forward to seeing us all at Anna’s farewell party on Saturday, April 8th.

Finally, thank you to the Kaneko’s for hosting a “Sakura-estimation and exotic BBQ” party at Senpuku Garden last weekend - a great time was had by all!