From the Editor

January 2007
睦月—  Mutsuki
“the month of enjoying”

Thank you to those who contributed to this issue — Kim, Hanaki-san, Van, and Chris Madere.  I’ll be passing the duties on to one Chris Cocks from next month, so please send your contributions to him.                                                                                                       

Cheers

Steve

Christmas Party 2006!

The Christmas Party for 2006 was another feast to remember. The generous hosts at Speak EZ allowed master chefs Chris Madere and Al Bain to work their magic, whilst allowing other well known culinary masters like Kim to add their touches. Fun and festive cheer was all around, and it will be great to do it again next year.

F.I.A. Welcomes new trainer Rick Hulbert!

In other news, we’d like to welcome Rick Hulbert to FIA and hope that he enjoys his new life in Haibara.  I’m sure that he had a good time - as did we all - at his welcoming party last Friday. Thanks to the Social Committee and big thanks to Larry for being a great host and serving some powerful margaritas.

Upcoming Events!

• Setsubun - February 3rd is Setsubun. Be sure to read the Nihongo corner for tips how to celebrate.
• Take a Walk - The Social Committee invites everyone to take an easy 10km walk from Abekawa station this Sunday, February 4th. Get your walkin' shoes on!
• Staff Meeting: See you all on February 9th at the beautiful Kusatsu Onsen!

Holiday in Japan - by Van

Ahhh, fuyu-yasumi, my favorite vacation time of the year.  Most people at FIA go home or to another country but I like to spend it here in Japan.  With a minimum of 14 days I can travel around the country cheaply with the seishun juuhachi kippu for a while and relax at home for a while doing whatever strikes me.  It’s a great time.

This year I traveled more than usual.  I started the vacation with a daytrip to Tokyo to see the Emperor on his birthday, do a little shopping and visit an old friend for the first time in 7 years.  Then, after Christmas, I went to Okayama where I finished off seeing the best three gardens in Japan with a crowd-free tour of Koorakuen (and my first black castle).  From there I cruised to Shikoku on a ferry (strong winds shut down the Seto Bridge) to see the 2^nd most revered Shinto shrine in Japan, Kotohira Shrine (the Grand Shrine of Ise is number 1 as it is, uh, grand).  I also ate Sanuki udon, a specialty of Shikoku, there.  The next day I saw Ritsurin Park in Takamatsu, which is a daimyo’s garden designated as the 8^th beauty spot in Japan, which was really quite remarkable and looked out over the Seto Sea from Sunshine Tower by the train station.  After finally riding a train across the Seto Bridge I returned to Washizu, washed my clothes and then headed for Shizuoka City where I met friends for a drive up to Nagano.  Hakuba for New Year’s!  After 3 days of alternating fear and cheer on the slopes (which did have some snow though grass and trip-causing roots showed through in many places) I spent several days holed up in my apartment watching British/American TV shows on DVDs.  When I finally came out into the light I went to Nagoya and bought a new watch. 
Did I do everything I needed to do?  Nope, my apartment is still a mess and I desperately need to clean out my closets.  Did I have a good holiday?  Oh, yeah, the best!

 

What Happened in January

• The New Orleans Saints made it through to their first NFC Championship game in their 40-year history, but lost to the Bears.
• Ford reported a loss of $12.7bn (£6.5bn) for 2006 - the biggest annual loss in the embattled US carmaker's 103-year history.
• A Great White Shark half swallowed a man, head first, off the east coast of Australia, before the victim jabbed its eye with an abalone chisel held in his one free arm.  The man spent 2 minutes in the shark`s mouth, but miraculously escaped with only a broken nose and cuts to his torso.
• A species of shark rarely seen alive because its natural habitat is 2,000 feet or more under the sea was captured on film by staff at a Japanese marine park.

節分　（Setsubun）

2月3日は「節分(せつぶん)」です。長い(なが)冬(ふゆ)が終わって(お)春(はる)を祝います(いわ)。
節分(せつぶん)の日には、豆(まめ)まきをします。大豆(だいず)を煎った(い)ものを使い(つか)、「鬼(おに)は外(そと)～、福(ふく)は内(うち)～!」を叫び、豆(まめ)を食べます(たべ)。食べる(た)豆(まめ)の数(かず)はその人(ひと)の年齢(ねんれい)によります。「鬼(おに)は外(そと)」とは、家(いえ)から悪い(わるい)ものを追い出す(お　　　だ)ため、「福(ふく)は内(うち)」とは、よい神様(かみさま)を家(いえ)に呼ぶためです。
最近(さいきん)は、手巻き(てま)寿司(ずし)をたべて、一年間(いちねんかん)の幸運(こううん)を祈る「恵方巻(えほうまき)」が日本(にほん)全国(ぜんこく)で流行って(はや)います。すし店(てん)やスーパー、コンビニで売って(う)いますので、ぜひ食べて(た)みて下さい(くだ)。食べ方(た　　　かた)を紹介(しょうかい)します。

１）太巻き(ふとま)を一人(ひとり)に一本(いっぽん)ずつ
２）恵方(えほう)を向く(む)（今年(ことし)は北北西(ほくほくせい)）                       
３）願い事(ねがいごと)をしながら、ひたすら食べる(た)。この間(かん)しゃべってはいけない!!

February 3rd. is called “SETSUBUN”. People celebrated the coming of spring after a long winter. On the day of SETSUBUN, a bean- throwing ceremony is held. Roasted soybeans are thrown while shouting “ONI WA SOTO! FUKU WA UCHI!” and the beans are to be eaten. The number of beans that are to be eaten will depend on the person’s age. “ONI WA SOTO (demons out)” means to drive out evil from the house and “FUKU WA UCHI (fortune in)” means to welcome good spirits into the house.

Recently, the trend across Japan is to eat “FUTOMAKI-ZUSHI” while making a wish for good fortune for the year. This sushi is called “EHO-MAKI”. You can find them in sushi-shops, supermarkets and convenience stores so please give it a try.

 Here’s how you’re supposed to eat it:
Prepare one FUTOMAKI per person.
Face the year’s auspicious direction. (This year it’s north-northwest)
Concentrate on eating while making a wish. And don’t speak a word while eating

静岡大学祭り　（しずおかだいかくまつり）

１１月１９日（日）     
雨の日でしたが、かつどうてきな大(だい)学(がく)生(せい)が　たくさんいました。
多(おお)くの国(くに)からの学(がく)生(せい)がいました。おもしろい　ふくそうをしている学生がいました。たくさんのおいしい食(た)べ物(もの)がありました。たとえば、こばちゃもち、バングラディシュ・カレー、バナナ、チャーハン。
かいの　いろいろなところからの　しゃしんのてんらんかいが　ありました。
しゃしんはうつくしくて、おもしろかったです。
この日(ひ)は　一日(いちにち)　たのしかったです。

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