The ambition of Iwasaki Yataro, the unprecedented eccentric of Tosa

   Iwasaki Yataro was born in Aki City, Inokuchi. He was one of the most prominent businessmen of  he end of the Edo Period and built the foundation for the Mitsubishi Group. It is said that in 1854, in order to let Yataro go study in Edo, his parents raised the necessary funds by selling a mountain that had been passed down for generations. It’s a very brave act even in this day and age, and it became clear why Yataro had developed such a bold personality. In 1855, Yataro returned home because his father had unfortunately gotten hurt. When he went to the magistrate’s office to lodge a complaint against the village headman who had injured his father, he drew graffiti on the walls and was thrown into jail. His experience in jail stirred up his rebellious spirit (perhaps he was hot blooded by nature), and he changed course from studying to be a Confucian scholar. This event made him decide to go into business for the Tosa domain and for the country. Additionally, it is said that he met a merchant and was able to learn sales tactics. This is a perfect example of the saying from the classic Chinese text Tao Te Ching, “Disaster is that upon which good fortune depends, and good fortune is that in which disaster lurks.” After this, Yataro enrolled in Yoshida Toyo※’s Shaolin cram school, became friends with Goto Shojiro※, and was mentored by Yoshida Toyo as he began his new life in business.

GENKI Seinenkai Tosaben Musical 2016 － O-Henro ALL STARS －

A photo taken onstage with a selfie stick
at the 2015 Tosaben Musical

   Won’t you add a bit of “GENKI” to your life? Each year, GENKI Seinenkai presents the Tosaben Musical!
   This year’s title is O-Henro ALL STARS. One night in Tosa, known as the “austerity and discipline” section of the Shikoku Henro Pilgrimage, many pilgrims gather at an inn, about to give up on their journeys. But why do they want to give up…?
   In an adventure of tanuki, shibaten, magicians, nosy-parkers, and other “only in Tosa” protagonists and antagonists, the characters will learn about friendship and forgiveness all over again. We hope all of you will join the adventure too!
   Admission is free, but donations are requested. Proceeds from donations will provide financial support for a high school or university student planning a study abroad, so please give generously!

GENKI Seinenkai Tosaben Musical 2015 “The Wizard of Tosa”

  

A scene of the Tosaben Musical 2014
 - Hogwarts Tosa Style School of Witchcraft
and Wizardry

   Would you like to add a little “GENKI” to your life? Announcing the annual Tosaben Musical!

   This year’s title is Tosa no Mahotsukai, “The Wizard of Tosa.” It introduces “The Wizard of Oz,” which is not very well known by Japanese people, in Tosa-style. Tamaki, a high school girl from Tokyo, moves to live with her aunt in Kochi, but she misses her friends in Tokyo and just can’t get used to life in Kochi. One day, Tamaki is swept away by a typhoon and lands in a fantasy land called “Tosa.” In this mysterious land, populated by Yuzu people, Washi people, living scarecrows and more, Tamaki must find her way home while learning to speak Tosaben, making new friends, and having a great adventure.

   Admission to the Tosaben Musical is free, but donations are encouraged. The funds collected will be given as a scholarship to a Kochi high school or college student who is planning to study abroad. Thank you for your generosity.

Foreigners Working in Kochi ①

Dana Berte
(Aki City, from America)

 

   The first person we will introduce, Dana Berte, was a Coordinator for International Relations with the JET Program in Aomori Prefecture for 3 years, and now works in product development at Kikusui Sake Company.

 

Intercultural Communication Bus Tour in Yasuda Town & Aki City - Explore the Treasure of Kochi -

 

Date: 11/3 Mon 2014

Meeting Time: 8:30

Meeting Place: Kochi Station North Entrance

Fee: 1,500 yen (Student Fee: 500 yen)

25 people. First-come-first-served

Please bring your own lunch.

Inquiries

   Please apply by e-mail with your name, nationality, address and phone number, and please put "Bus Tour 2014" in the subject line.

   Email: sggevent@gmail.com

 

 

 

GENKI Seinenkai Tosaben Musical 2014 - Hogwarts Tosa Style School of Witchcraft and Wizardry -

A dance scene

Genki Seinenkai Tosaben Musical 2013 “Tosa Wars”

A scene from Tosaben Musical 2012 "Ekin in Neverland"

This year’s theme is “Star Wars”!
   Luke has been forced to do strict study by his workaholic father so he can get a good job. One day, he decides to run away to his grandfather’s house in Kochi. Luke’s grandfather decides to show him “Star Wars.”
   When he falls asleep, he dreams that he is in the Star Wars universe. There, he joins the rebel forces, who are fighting against an evil corporation working to destroy the countryside. In order to become stronger, Luke must become one with his roots and master the “Tosa” power. Will he be able to save the countryside?

Pottery in Aki

  Going back 14,000 years to the Jomon Period, Japan’s relationship with pottery is one of the oldest in the world. Now, you too can be a part of that legacy! At the Uchiharano Pottery Centre in Aki you can try your hand at making cups, bowls, plates or anything else you can imagine.

Shall we go to a sakagura?

Sakagurabiraki

   Breweries where they make Japanese sake are called 'Sakagura'. Kochi has 18 sakagura in total. For this edition I interviewed Mr.Ogi, who is the 'Toji', or chief sake brewer, at the Arimitsu Shuzo sakagura in Aki City and talked about some of the traditions in the sake industry.

Genki Tosaben Musical 2012 – “Ekin in Neverland”

Tosaben Musical 2011

   Formed in 1996, GENKI Seinenkai has produced the Tosaben Musical every year, with proceeds from donations supporting students going abroad. This year’s theme is Kochi-born artist Ekin.

Fireworks Display in Aki Summer Breeze Festival

Date: 7th August (Sun) 20:00 - 21:00 (In case of bad weather, postpone to 14th)
Place: The beach in front of Aki High School, Aki City
Access: 1 hour by car from Kochi City or 15 minutes walk from Aki Sta. on the Tosa Kuroshio Railway
Inquiries: Tel:0887-35-1011(Aki Summer Festival committee)
Number of shots: about 3,000 

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