A sosit Craciunul!

              Cea mai buna paine este painea calda, cel mai bun cozonac de Craciun este cel proaspat scos din cuptor, cea mai mare bucurie este bucuria de a fi, pentru ca daca suntem atunci putem fi si fericiti si putem si sa fericim pe altii.

Va dorim acum de sarbatori sa fiti fericiti si sa va amintiti ca nasterea pruncului sfant Isus este motivul bucuriei care nu se termina, a sperantei vietii vesnice.

Va multumim ca ati fost alaturi de noi in anul care tocmai se incheie si va invitam cu acelasi drag si in 2012 sa participati la intalnirile culturale si evenimentele organizate de noi. Va dorim un an prosper, cu sanatate si multe vise implinite pentru Romania si Japonia.

 La multi ani! 良いお年を！

                  

                In numele echipei Cercul Prietenii Japoniei,

                                     Minodora B.


English Version bellow:

              The best bread is warm bread, the best cake on Christmas is the one freshly taken out of the oven, the biggest joy is the joy to exist, because if we exist, we can be happy and make others happy, too.

              We wish you now, for holidays, to be happy and remember that the birth of the holy child Jesus is the reason of the happiness that does not end, of hope in eternal life.

              We thank you that you were with us in the year that is near its end and we invite you equally happily in 2012 to participate to our cultural meetings and to the events organized by us. We wish you a fortunate year, with fulfilled dreams for Romania and Japan.

Happy New Year! 良いお年を！

In the name of Japan’s Friends Team

Minodora B.

Bonenkai - 17 decembrie 2011, orele 17:00~

Ultima intalnire din anul 2011 a Cercului „Prietenii Japoniei” a avut loc in data de 17 decembrie, si s-a numit bounenkai, cuvantul japonez pentru petrecere de sfarsit de an. Aceasta intalnire nu a fost una de cultura ci a fost, cum spune si numele, o petrecere menita sa puna punct tuturor intalnirilor de culura din anul 2011.
 La inceputul intalnirii participantii au facut cunostinta, prezentandu-se si spunand cum au aflat de Cercul „Prietenii Japoniei” si despre cultura japoneza. 
Dupa prezentarea fiecaruia, intalnirea a continuat prin prezentarea catorva imagini de la intalnirile ce au avut loc in anul 2011. Multi din participantii prezenti au participat si la intalnirile prezentate in imagini, astfel ca multi ne-am amintit de intamplari haioase, frumoase dar si de momentele triste din luna martie petrecute impreuna. Am vizionat si cateva video-uri hazlii de la intalnirile din toamna anului 2011, unde i-am avut ca invitati speciali pe familia Hamamoto din Japonia.

              Dupa proiectia de imagini a urmat o scurta pauza, timp in care s-a reorganizat sala pentru concursul cu premii ce avea sa urmeze. Dupa ce sala a fost amenajata, s-au prezentat 6 voluntari pentru concurs, care a fost un quiz show, concurs cu intrebari de cultura generala despre Japonia, la care concurentii trebuia sa raspunda cu adevarat sau fals.

 Intrebarile si raspunsurile au fost insotite de imagini pentru spectatori iar concurentii au trebuit sa fie foarte atenti la variantele de raspuns pentru ca raspunsurile bune puteau fi neasteptate.

              In final, pe baza punctelor acumulate in concurs au fost alesi 3 castigatori. Dat fiind faptul ca unii contestanti au fost la egalitate de puncte, barajul s-a decis printr-un joc de jan-ken-pon, dupa care locurile 1, 2 si 3 au primit premiile bine meritate.

              Dupa concurs, dat fiind faptul ca ne aflam in apropierea Craciunului, Cercul „Prietenii Japoniei” a decis sa faca un mic cadou fiecarui participant de la intalnire, un plic in care se afla ceai japonez sencha sau genmaicha. 

Participantii au primit darul cu bucurie dupa care publicul a devenit liber sa manance din bunatatile pregatite de dna Kayoko Kawai, sotia dlui Katsutaro Kawai. Intre timp o parte din participanti s-au incins la karaoke. 

Am facut poze, am cantat, am mancat iar la final am cantat impreuna bine cnoscuta colinda Silent Night, in limba japoneza si engleza.

              La final am facut curatenie in sala, in stil japonez, si am plecat acasa plini de bucurie si noi amintiri.

******* English Version bellow: ********

The last meeting of Japan’s Friends Club in 2011 took place on 17^th December and it was called bounenkai, the Japanese word for year-end party. This last meeting was not a cultural meeting, but it was, as the name suggests, a party to put an end to all meetings in 2011.

At the beginning of the meeting, the participants introduced themselves, mentioning when they learned about the club and how they came to like Japanese culture. After the introduction, the meeting began with the presentation of some pictures from the previous meetings of the year 2011. Some of the participants had also been present at the meetings that were presented and in the pictures, therefore many of us remembered funny and beautiful memories, but also sad moments like the march 11 event. We also watched a few funny videos captured at the meetings in autumn, 2011, where we had as special guests the Hamamoto family from Japan.

After the image projection there was a short break, meanwhile the meeting room was reorganized for the contest that was to follow. After the room was prepared, 6 volunteers offered to participate in the contest, which was a quiz show with questions regarding Japan, where the contestants had to answer with true or false to the questions. The questions and answers were followed by pictures for the public and the contestants had to be extremely careful because the appropriate answers could have been unexpected.

In the end, based on the accumulated points 3 winners were elected. Since some of the contestants had the same number of points, the tie was settled by a game of jan-ken-pon. Afterwards, the best 3 contestants received their prizes.

              After the contest, given the fact that we were close to Christmas, Japan’s Friends Club decided to give a little gift to every participant, an envelope with Japanese green tea sencha or genmaicha. The participants happily received their present and then they were free to eat the delicious Japanese food prepared by Ms. Kayoko Kawai, Mr. Katsutaro Kawai’s wife. Meanwhile, part of the participants did karaoke. We took pictures, sang, ate and in the end we all sang together the well-known carol Silent Night in Japanese and English.

              In the end we cleaned the room, as Japanese people do, and everyone went home full of joy and new memories.

Evenimente culturale in perioada 12 -16 decembrie

Marti, 12 decembrie, orele 17:00~

                     Miercuri, 13 decembrie, orele 17:00~

                                   Joi, 14 decembrie, orele 16:00~

                               Sunteti asteptati cu drag!

Calendarul activitatilor - Decembrie 2011

Am intrat in sfarsit in luna sarbatorilor, luna decembrie, cea mult asteptata mai ales de catre copii, dar si de catre cei mari. Va fi o luna plina de cadouri si bucurii, dar si de evenimente in ceainaria cu specific japonez Sakura, de pe Calea Motilor, Nr. 48.

              Va trimitem atasat calendarul activitatilor pentru luna decembrie si

 va anuntam ca in saptamana care urmeaza, 5 – 9 decembrie in ceainarie vor avea loc urmatoarele evenimente: 

              - Marti, 6 decembrie, cenaclul de haiku, Sakura, orele 18:00 – 20:00;

              - Joi, 8 decembrie, clubul de sah japonez shogi, orele 16:00 – 19:00;

              - Vineri, 9 decembrie,     - eveniment cultural japonez, orele 12:00 – 13:30;

              - J-rock meeting, orele 17:00-18:00. 

              Va asteptam cu drag si cu multa caldura!

                            Echipa Cercul “Prietenii Japoniei”

Munca in Japonia - 26 noiembrie 2011

              In data de 26 noiembrie, Cercul „Prietenii Japoniei” s-a intalnit, aducand in prim plan o tema care lasa loc de numeroase dezbateri si discutii. Tema abordata a fost munca in Japonia, si au fost atinse aspecte precum modul in care se munceste in Japonia, care este filozofia de munca, ce fel de munca presteaza japonezii, care este pretul muncii excesive, ce fel de munci presteaza femeile din Japonia si altele.

              Intalnirea a inceput, dupa prezentarea participantilor, prin cateva intrebari despre munca in Japonia. Participantii s-au dovedit destul de documentati in acest domeniu, chiar daca majoritatea au fost studenti, fara un loc de munca. La intrebarea „Cine ar vrea sa munceasca in Japonia?” cateva maini au fost ridicate.

              In continuare, dl Radu Nedisan a inceput o prezentare despre munca in Japonia, facand referire la cateva aspecte istorice, amintind situatia in care era Japonia in urma celui de-al doilea Razboi Mondial si modul in care economia Japoniei a explodat pur si simplu in perioada 1965-1980. S-a discutat despre ceea ce a facut posibila o astfel de explozie, cu referire la devotamentul japonezilor, spiritul de samurai, societatea bine structurata, nationalismul, dar si efortul depus de guvernul japonez pentru promovarea unei imagini bune a Japoniei.

              A fost prezentata apoi categoria cea mai buna reprezentanta pentru ordinul muncitoresc din Japonia, si anume salaryman. Au fost discutate cateva aspecte din viata acestora, cum ar fi monotonia, lipsa satisfactiei, oboseala, karoushi, moartea la locul de munca datorata oboselii si au fost proiectate un scurt film si cateva poze reprezentative. Au fost prezentate si cateva alternative la viata de salaryman pe care unii le aleg, cum ar fi viata de fermier, pescar, sau alte munci cu totul neconventionale, cum ar fi cea de street performer.

              In continuare dra Minodora Buta a continuat prezentarea prin referirea la alte cateva aspecte ale muncii in Japonia, cum ar fi suma de bani pe care o castiga un japonez, modul in care salariul creste in functie de vechime, grija superiorilor pentru viata personala a inferiorilor, cu scopul ca munca sa mearga bine, legaturile stranse dintre colegii de munca. 

A fost prezentata si munca prestata de catre femei, putine femei fiind femei de cariera. Munca femeilor este descrisa de un M, reprezentand munca prestata inainte de casatorie, dupa care acestea devin casnice, iar apoi dupa ce copiii cresc, doresc sa munceasca din nou. Pe fondul acestor subteme au izbucnit si unele dezbateri in randul participantilor.

              In incheiere, dl Katsutaro Kawai a adus ultimele concluzii si completari discutiilor vorbind despre ambitia japonezilor de a atinge excelenta si responsabilitatea pe care si-au asumat-o generatiile de dupa razboi in munca pe care au depus-o cu dorinta de a asigura o Japonie prospera, infloritoare pentru copiii lor, pentru generatiile viitoare. 

Dupa acestea dl Kawai a proiectat doua filmulete foarte sugestive, un filmulet de animatie realizat de catre un prieten de-al dlui Kawai, dl Tsujita din Tokyo, despre viata de salaryman si o serie de reclame despre extraterestrul Jones care incearca diferite munci in Japonia. Dupa alte observatii legate de munca in Japonia dl Kawai i-a incurajat pe participanti sa isi urmeze visul legat de munca si sa nu aleaga sa munceasca intr-o tara straina doar pentru faptul ca salariul sau beneficiile financiare sunt mai mari.

              A fost o intalnire in care am invatat multe lucruri, in final ramanand cu multe teme de discutat in drum spre casa.

****** English Version below:*********

On 26 november, the Japan’s Friends Club met, bringing into discussion a topic which can be debated and talked about for a long time. The approached topic was work in Japan, and numerous aspects of this topic have been touched, such as the way in which people work in Japan, the working philosophy, what kind of jobs the Japanese have, what is the price of excessive work, what kind of jobs Japanese women have, etc.

The meeting started, after the introduction of the participants, with a few questions about work in Japan. The participants proved quite documented in this domain, even though the majority were students, without a workplace. When the question “who would like to work in Japan?” was asked, a few hands were raised.

Next, Mr. Radu Nedisan started a presentation about work in Japan, referring to a few historical aspects, like the condition in which Japan was after the Second World War and the way in which the economy of Japan swelled in the 1965 – 1980 period. The reasons for this economic prosperity have been discussed, with reference to Japanese people’s devotement, the samurai spirit, a well structured society, nationalism and national pride, the effort that the Japanese Government is making to promote a good image of Japan overseas.

Following, the best representative of the working class in Japan was presented, namely the salaryman. A few characteristics of his life were presented like monotony, lack of satisfaction, working fatigue and karoushi, death caused by excessive work. A movie and a few representative photos were projected. The alternatives that some Japanese choose over the salaryman life were also presented, like fisherman, farmer and some other more unconventional jobs like being a street performer.

              Afterwards, Ms. Minodora Buta continued the presentation making reference to other aspects of work in Japan, like the wage, the way in which the sallary grows according to the years worked in the company, the superiors’ care about their inferiors’ personal life in order to be able to get most out of their workers, the close ties between coworkers. Women’s work has also been described, only a few women being career women. Women’s work career is described by an M, which represents their work before marriage, many becoming housewives after marriage and get the desire to work again after their children grow up. A few debates among the participants derived from these topics.

              In conclusion, Mr. Katsutaro Kawai added his final remarks, talking about the Japanese people’s ambition to reach excellence and the responsibility that the post-war generations assumed in their work, which they did having in mind a prosper Japan, flourishing for their children and for the future generations. Afterwards, Mr. Kawai showed us two suggestive videos for the topic, one of which was an animation about the life of a salaryman, realized by mister Tsujita, a friend of Mr. Kawai, and the other one was a series of advertisments featuring the alien Jones working in several different workplaces in Japan. After adding a few other observations, he concluded, encouraging the participants to follow their dream to work in Japan and not to choose to work in a different country for the sole purpose of material benefits because there are other things that are more valuable than money.

The meeting was very educational and it left us with a few topics to discuss on our ways home.

             

Raportul calatoriei in Japonia - Septembrie 2011

              Vara aceasta a fost pentru noi una deosebita, fapt care se datoreaza in parte unei mari tragedii care a avut loc in Japonia, si anume cutremurul si tsunami-ul care au avut loc in data de 11 martie 2011 in zona coastei de nord-est a Japoniei, mai cu seama in prefecturile Iwate si Miyagi. Acest eveniment dramatic ne-a adus cu inimile mai aproape de Japonia, in dorinta noastra de a face ceva pentru aceasta tara care poate ca nu merita o astfel de lovitura. Cercul “Prietenii Japoniei” a inceput o campanie de ajutorare a Japoniei la doua zile dupa producerea tragicului eveniment, campanie care mai continua si azi. In acest scop, in aceasta vara o parte dintre noi au calatorit in Japonia pentru a vedea care este exact situatia acolo si pentru a ajuta la recuperare in masura puterilor noastre. Prin urmare, intre 6 si 25 septembrie, dl Katsutaro Kawai impreuna cu Minodora Buta, Manuela Buta si Sanziana Blaga au calatorit in Japonia si au vizitat cateva orase afectate de tsunami, intre care Kamaishi, Otsuchicho, Yamadacho, Ofunato si Rikuzetakada.

La intoarcere, din dorinta de a va transmite si dumneavoastra informatiile pe care am reusit sa le aflam, am organizat in data de 29 octombrie o intalnire in cadrul Cercului “Prietenii Japoniei” in care sa va aducem la cunostinta raportul calatoriei in Japonia ca si reprezentanti ai celor carora le pasa de Japonia, voluntari din Romania.

In deschiderea intalnirii fiecare participant a putut sa se prezinte, dupa care drele Minodora Buta si Sanziana Blaga au inceput prezentarea prin proiectarea mai multor poze facute in timpul calatoriei. 

Calatoria a fost prezentata, cu partile ei frumoase, incantatoare dar si cu cele infricosatoare si triste. Am vazut imagini cu culturi de orez sub forma de campii verzi, am vazut orase incantatoare din Japonia, am vazut muntii japonezi, oceanul, plaja, 

dar am vazut si locuri pustii, locuri unde candva era plin de viata, viata a carei energie se mai poate inca simti, la 6 luni dupa sistarea brusca si fara preaviz a acesteia.
                                                    KAMAISHI 

                               OTSUCHICHO

                             YAMADACHO

                                  OFUNATO

                    RIKUZENTAKADA 

Dupa prezentarea imaginilor la rece, cele doua domnisoare si-au transmis mai apoi si gandurile personale si opiniile facute in timpul calatoriei. Nu este mare lucru ca o astfel de calatorie sa te faca sa iti regandesti prioritatile in viata asa cum spunea dra Sanziana,

 iar prezenta intr-un astfel de loc poate sa iti induca spaima, chiar daca pericolul e de mult trecut, asa cum a simtit dra Minodora.

 Cu toate acestea, este greu ca aceste sentimente sa la simtim daca nu am luat parte la aceasta calatorie, insa drele au incercat sa ne transmita mesajul lor cat mai bine cu putinta, acela de a ne pretui viata pe care noi o avem si de a ne gandi cat mai mult la cei din jur pe care poate ca odata nu ii vom mai avea langa noi si sa nu lasam sa vina ziua in care o sa ne dam seama ca ceva ne lipseste pentru ca deja am pierdut acel ceva. De asemenea trebuie sa invatam sa nu ne atasam foarte mult de lucruri pentru ca putem sa le pierdem fara sa le putem recupera, si sa dam valoare mai mare oamenilor pentru ca un prieten poate fi prietenul nostru pentru toata viata.

La finalul prezentarii celor doua domnisoare, dl Katsutaro Kawai a luat cuvantul, aducand completari prezentarii si indemnand din nou pe participanti sa nu uite ca Japonia inca mai are nevoie de ajutor, chiar daca este recunoscuta ca si o tara foarte dezvoltata. Oricat de mult am incerca, tehnologia nu poate tine locul oamenilor si chiar daca din punct de vedere material Japonia isi poate reveni, ea va ramane adanc ranita chiar si dupa vindecarea ranii superficiale. Insa Japonia este inca departe de a isi fi revenit chiar si din punct de vedere material. Iarna bate la usa si mare parte din oamenii ramasi fara averea de o viata inca nu au primit o locuinta stabila.

Dupa prezentarea observatiilor facute in timpul calatoriei din Japonia, dra Emilia Camarasan a continuat cu un raport mai putin trist. Este vorba despre raportul calatoriei la Bucuresti, mai exact la Nijikon, festivalul anual dedicat subculturii japoneze, mai exact domeniilor manga si anime. 

Am vazut cateva filmulete pentru a ne putea face o idee despre festival, unele din cele mai importante atractii fiind concursul de cosplay si standurile cu suveniruri, postere, figurine si alte obiecte care au legatura cu fenomenul manga-anime.

In finalul intalnirii dl Katsutaro Kawai a invitat-o pe dna Kagami sa spuna cateva cuvinte despre experienta dansei cu tsunami-ul si cutremurul ca si japoneza. 

Chiar departe fiind de zona afectata de aceste calamitati, dna Kagami marturiseste ca a fost profund afectata de acestea. Aceste calamitati au determinat-o sa isi schimbe viata, a ales sa vina in Romania unde acum preda limba Japoneza la universitate. Dna Kagami a fost de asemenea recunoscatoare romanilor care, desi sunt atat de intepartati de Japonia doresc sa ajute si chiar au mers acolo unde nici macar dansa ca si cetatean japonez nu a ajuns.

Dupa ce dna Kagami a multumit, am facut cateva anunturi legate de saptamana care venea, dupa care ne-am despartit, nu inainte insa sa petrecem putin timp impreuna discutand si savurand cateva snack-uri, ceai si suc.

*******English version bellow:*******

              For us, this summer was special, partly due to a great tragedy that happened in Japan, namely the great earthquake and tsunami that took place in 11^th March 2011 on the east coast of Japan, in the Iwate and Miyagi prefectures. This dramatic event drew our hearts closer to Japan, making us wish to do something for this country which maybe did not deserve such a hit. Japan Friends Club started a rescue campaign two days after the tragic event and that campaign continues even today. For the purpose of this campaign some of us went this summer to Japan in order to see exactly what the situation looks like there and help with the recovery in the limits of our power. Therefore, from 6 to 25 September, Mr. Katsutaro Kawai together with Ms. Minodora Buta, Manuela Buta and Sanziana Blaga went to Japan and visited some of the tsunami affected cities, like Kamaishi, Otsuchicho, Yamadacho, Ofunato and Rikuzentakada.

              After their return, from our wish to deliver the information that we collected to you as well, the Japan Friends Club organized a meeting on 29^th October where we gave our trip report in position of representatives of the Romanian people who care for Japan and want to volunteer.

              At the outset of the meeting every participant was given the chance to introduce themselves. Afterwards, Ms. Minodora Buta and Sanziana Blaga started their report, with a series of pictures took by them during their trip to Japan. The trip was presented with its beautiful, fascinating but also scary and sad sides. We saw images of rice fields in the shape of beautiful green fields, we saw beautiful cities, Japanese mountains, the ocean, the beach but also empty places, where it was once full of life, the energy of which could still be felt 6 months after it had been cut without warning.

              After the slideshow, the girls also transmitted their personal feelings and opinion to the public. It is not out of place for such a trip to make you rethink your priorities in life, like Ms. Sanziana said, and the presence in such a place can induce fear even when the danger has long gone, as Ms. Minodora felt. However, it is hard to have these feelings if we haven’t gone there ourselves, so the girls tried to convey their message as good as they could, which is to treasure our lives and think as much as we can of the people around us and not wait for the day to come when we realize that something is missing for we will have already lost it. Also we should not get too attached to things because we can easily lose everything without being able to do anything about it, and treasure people more for a friend can be our friend for rest of our life.

              At the end of the presentation, Mr. Katsutaro Kawai took the word adding the final remarks and reminding the people that Japan still needs help, despite its recognition as a very developed country. No matter how much we try, technology can not take the place of human beings and even if Japan can recover materially, it will remain deeply wounded by this event even after the healing of its superficial wound. However, Japan is still far from material recovery. Winter is coming and most of the people who lost their lifetime investments still don’t have a stable residence.

After the presentation of the observations made during the trip to Japan, Ms. Emilia Camarasan continued with less sad report. We are talking about the report of her trip to Bucharest, more exactly to Nijikon, the annual Japanese subculture convention in Bucharest. We watched a few movies so we could make a better idea about the festival, some of the most interesting attractions being the cosplay contest, and the souvenir stands selling posters, figures, book, mangas and other anime and manga related items.

At the end of the meeting, Mr. Katsutaro Kawai invited Ms. Kagami to say a few words about her experience with the tsunami and earthquake as Japanese. Even though she was war from the affected area, Ms. Kagami confessed that she had been deeply affected by the event. These calamities determined her to change her life and she chose to come to Romania where she now teaches Japanese at university. Ms. Kagami is also giving thanks to the Romanians who, even though they are so far from Japan, want to help and even went there where she didn’t go as a Japanese citizen.

After Ms. Kagami gave her thanks to the participants, we made a few announcements and we went home, though not before spending a few minutes together talking and enjoying some snacks, tea and soda.