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. 

Atelier Sarubobo - Sambata, 12 noiembrie 2011

In data de 12 noiembrie, Cercul „Prietenii Japoniei” a organizat un atelier chirimen in care am confectionat sarubobo, care inseamna pui de maimuta, dupa cum a fost explicat.

         La inceputul intalnirii fiecare participant a putut sa se prezinte, scurt pentru ca aveau sa urmeze cateva ore de foc cu acul si ata. Dupa prezentarea fiecaruia, dl Radu Nedisan si dra Minodora au prezentat pe scurt cateva lucruri despre sarubobo, cum ar fi locul de origine, orasul Takayama, un oras care pastreaza mult din imaginea orasului japonez de odinioara, prin cateva imagini frumoase cu diferite aspecte ale orasului. A fost prezentat apoi chirimen, si cateva modele care pot fi confectionate din acest material, cum ar fi portmonee, brose, posete, si chiar mancare, care bineinteles nu poate fi mancata desi arata foarte apetisant. Dra Minodora a prezentat cateva lucruri si poze despre maimutele in cauza, nihonzaru, cea mai nordica rasa de maimuta din lume, care supravietuieste iernii din Japonia folosindu-se de izvoarele termale omniprezente in muntii din Japonia.

         Sarubobo, papusa reprezentand puiul de maimuta, am aflat, este folosit in Japonia ca si talisman aducator de noroc, in functie de culoarea pe care o are. Astfel albastru aduce succes in munca si studii, galben aduce bani, roz aduce succes in dragoste iar verde aduce sanatate. Culoarea rosie este culoarea pe care o avea sarubobo la origine, fiind un talisman care aducea liniste in familie, protectia fata de lucruri rele si o nastere usoara, asa cum si maimutele se spune ca nasc foarte usor.

Dupa prezentarea acestor lucruri, atelierul in sine a inceput. Dupa impartirea materialelor, dra Minodora a explicat pas cu pas procesul de confectionare al puiului de maimuta.

 Participantii s-au descurcat foarte bine si primele maimutici au aparut pe lume dupa aproximativ o ora de munca. Cei mai meticulosi si-au terminat munca in aproximativ doua ore, iar in final am avut parte de o colectie de maimute multicolore, in functie de dorintele fiecaruia.

In final, participantii au facut poze cu talismanele confectionate, au savurat din fursecurile si racoritoarele puse la dispozitie de catre organizatori, dupa care fiecare s-a intors acasa mai bogat cu o experienta interesanta in viata lor.

         

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

              On 12^th November, Japan’s Friends Club organized a chirimen workshop where we sewed sarubobo, meaning baby monkey, as it had been explained later in the workshop.

              At the beginning, every participant was given the chance to introduce themselves shortly, since there were a few fierce hours to come with the needle and string. After everyone’s introduction, Mr. Radu Nedisan and Ms. Minodora Buta presented shortly a few things about sarubobo, like its place of origin, Takayama town, a place that keeps much of the old image of the Japanese city, presenting a few beautiful images of different aspects of the town. A presentation about chirimen followed, with a few models that can be made out of this material, like wallets, hairpins, handbags and even food, which cannot be eaten, of course, even though it looks delicious. Ms. Minodora presented a few things and pictures about the monkeys we were reproducing, nihonzaru, the northernmost species of monkey which survives the Japanese winter with the help of hot springs, omnipresent throughout the mountains of Japan.

              Sarubobo, the doll representing a baby monkey, we found out, is used in Japan as a luck charm, depending on its color. Therefore, blue brings success at work and in study, yellow brings money, pink brings luck in love and green brings health. The red colour is the original traditional sarubobo color, which brings peace in the household, protection against bad things and an easy delivery on birth, since it is believed that monkeys have an easy birth as well.

              After the presentation of these things, the workshop in itself began. After providing the necessary materials for the participants, Ms. Minodora explained step by step the manufacturing process of the baby monkey. The participants did very well and the first monkeys appeared after approximately an hour of work. The more meticulous ones took their time and finished their monkeys in approximately two hours turning out with a collection of multicoloured monkeys, representing everyone’s wishes.

              In the end everyone took pictures with their talismans, enjoyed the food and drinks provided by the organizers, and returned home with another interesting experience in their life.

Activitati in perioada 7-11 noiembrie

Am intrat in luna Noiembrie si putem simti cum iarna se apropie tot mai mult de noi. Este o perioada mai racoroasa dar spectaculoasa din punct de vedere vizual, una din cele mai colorate perioade a anului, in contrast cu perioada imediat urmatoare tomnii, adica iarna, dominata de alb si nuante de gri. Sa nu lasam sa treaca pe langa noi aceasta perioada si sa ne bucuram de ea cat mai mult posibil, impreuna cu cei dragi, deoarece timpul petrecut impreuna este un timp foarte pretios.

In spiritul toamnei speram ca vor fi si evenimentele cu care dorim sa va bucuram in aceasta saptamana, 7 – 11 noiembrie. Va anuntam ca in aceasta saptamana in ceainaria cu specific japonez, Sakura vor avea loc urmatoarele activitati:

Luni, 7 noiembrie, proiectie de anime, Kino no Tabi, incepand cu orele 18:00

Marti, 8 noiembrie, cenaclul literar de haiku, unde vom compune haiku in spiritul anotimpului in care ne aflam, orele 18:00-20:00

Joi, 10 noiembrie, clubul de sah japonez shogi, orele 16:00 – 19:00

Vineri, 11 noiembrie, atelier de desen, incepand cu orele 18:00

Va multumim pentru participarea de pana acum si va asteptam in continuare la evenimentele noastre!

Calendarul activitatilor - Noiembrie 2011