Let’s Speak Japanese [NIHONGO DE HANASOO! NIHONGO SHABERIBA!]

   We are here to support you with your Japanese learning!
   This class is for beginners.　You can also join some Japanese culture activities in the term. Our class has many Japanese volunteers that will help you study. They will provide you with information about the Japanese culture and KOCHI city. The class’s main aim is to help you speak ability will improve in our class.

 

Japanese Language Lesson for Foreigners in Nankoku City

   We are here to support you with Japanese language studies.
   This class is for intermediate level and higher level learners.
   We are also ready to assist you in your JLPT examination.
 
Every Wednesday
  Time:19:00~21:00
  Term: 2014-5-１４ ⇒ 2015-2-１１
*We do not have the class in the summer holiday ; <the whole month of August>
and the winter holiday ; <in December 24th 31st>
*You can start any time.
  Place: NISHOO FUKUSHI KORYUU Center (Tamura Nankoku city)
       *There is parking available.
  Fee: 100yen per class.
 
*To enroll for this class or if you have any questions for this class, please contact NIA Tomonaga 
  TEL: 090-4332-7652     
  Email: salut_steramalis@yahoo.co.jp

Nankoku City’s Shamo Hotpot

Shamo hotpot, born from the
locals pride for Nankoku City.

Revitalizing Nankoku City—The Gomen Shamo Research Consortium’s Initiative
   Shamo were originally bred and raised not for consumption, but for cockfighting. In the old days, birds that lost their fights were used for food in hotpot dishes, but today they are hardly ever eaten. However, we wanted to do something to make Nankoku City into a place that children could be proud to call home! We wanted to revitalize our city! The people of Saitani in Nankoku, had a custom of making shamo hotpot as a memorial to Ryoma Sakamoto (※), so in 2008, five other volunteers and I started city revitalization efforts by combining our “impressive local history” and “bountiful and fresh vegetables”.
(※ It is said that Ryoma Sakamoto loved shamo hotpot and was making it right before he was assassinated.)

 

Nabeyaki Ramen in Susaki City

Nabeyaki Ramen is served in an
earthenware pot with boiling broth.

   There is a project underway to nationally promote Susaki City, located in the Midwest of Kochi Prefecture, by campaigning for its Nabeyaki Ramen. Nabeyaki Ramen is ramen served in an earthenware pot with boiling broth. A staff member from KIA and a CIR from China visited the Susaki City Tourism Association to interview one of the project’s key people to hear the story behind Nabeyaki Ramen.

 

Shimanto Pork Donburi Strip in Shimanto Town

The Shimanto Pork Don with balsamic
vinegar with its addictive taste.

We want you to enjoy the “Food” in Shimanto Town
   When you hear the name “Shimanto” the first thing that comes to mind might be the Shimanto River or the popular tourist establishment, the Kaiyodo Hobby Museum. Shimanto is not only rich in tourist destinations, but is also a treasury of food. The town’s society of commerce and industry decided to bring more tourists to the area with the proposal of the “Shimanto Pork Donburi Strip” which started in November of 2012 in preparation for the completion of the Expressway to Shimanto which was completed in December of the same year.

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

A dance scene

Kinkon Tosanikki ⑬

A series of four-panel comics called Kinkon Tosanikki appears the evening edition of the local Kochi Shimbun newspaper.

Takumi: *aaah*
               “Hot tea is delicious”



Takumi: *another one please*
Grandpa: “But, no matter what you think, haven’t you had too much tea?”


Takumi: *slosh slosh*
Grandpa: “You see, look at your belly…”



Takumi: “I’ve become a human hot water bottle so sleep next to me ♡ ”
Grandpa: “Yeeeeh, I will, I will!”

●Tosaben Tidbit ~ nanbo yutachi ~
The grandfathers line “nanbo yutachi ” in tosaben can be replaced with the standard Japanese “ikura nandemo (no matter how much)” to indicate that the degree of something is too severe. This expression is always followed by a negative comment. In this case the grandfather kindly warns his grandson that he might be “nomisugi (drink too much)” in the cartoon.

"Icho no Ki" Farm Guesthouse

The wide fields in front of the guesthouse.

The Innkeeper at "Icho no Ki" Farm Guesthouse
   "Icho no Ki" Farm Guesthouse in Yusuhara Town was the first of its kind in Kochi establishing itself in April of 2000. 75% of guests who have stayed have come from outside the prefecture, and they have had guests from all 47 prefectures of Japan. The innkeeper; Mrs. Tomoko Ueta was selected in the "top 100 Moms who run agricultural, forestry or fishermen lodging" and keeps going every day, working to greet those who come with hospitality in her usual style to increase the fans of Yusuhara. She hopes that lodgers can spend their time leisurely, and that they can have a relaxing chat about what a great day they had.

"Miyamaru" – A Bed and Breakfast Fishing Experience

Scott and Mrs. Myōjin making dinner.

Managing as a Married Couple
   “Miyamaru” is near the beautiful seashore of the town of Kuroshio. The lady of the house, Mrs. Miya Myōjin, used to work at a nursery school. After she retired five years ago, she opened a bed and breakfast with the thought that she wanted to promote and bring visitors to Kuroshio, as well as teach people about the town’s fishing-driven way of life. Mrs. Myōjin’s husband was a fisherman, but he also retired 6 years ago due to back pain, and now he helps her with the bed and breakfast. Most of their customers are from outside of Kochi, and there are even some people who come from abroad.

Amazing Kochi

Aser Chapigas Berting
   Hometown: Province of Benguet, Republic of the Philippines
   Trainee on the Local Government Officials Training Program in Japan

   Visiting Japan especially Kochi was a dream come true through my 6 month training on agriculture. It was so very exciting and interesting. Kochi is a beautiful and safe place to live in. Clean roads, green parks, beautiful mountains and loving people. I have attended parties, joined fireworks viewing and visited tourist spots around the place. I observed that the places where parties, fireworks and other events were held were even clean after. Everyone who participated in the event must clean up their mess before leaving the area. I salute the Japanese people on having this kind of waste management system. It doesn’t end there, the garbage is then separated according to type, before finally disposing of it.

   Kochi is a mountainous area with limited agricultural land. This is surprising because despite its limited farmlands, farmers still produce enough, high quality vegetables. I was amazed when my boss informed me on paprika production in Kochi. He said the production of paprika is 20 tons per 1,000 square meters which is far behind the production in my town, 20 tons per hectare. And it is not only paprika, other vegetables too have the same yield like cucumber. Japanese agriculture is really very interesting.

   Kochi transportation is also interesting. Most of the people have their own cars because it’s a necessity, especially those who have jobs far away from their homes. What makes me surprised is that old people can still drive their cars properly. This means that they are healthy and have strong eyes. I also saw ladies driving large vehicles like trucks by themselves.

   People in Kochi are the most surprising, they are kind and hospitable. When I arrived in Kochi I was welcomed with smiles reassuring me that everything would be alright. They always offered their hand should I need their help. I was so very happy and thankful that I didn’t encounter any problem dealing with my workmates and other Japanese even though I only know and understand a little Nihongo. I didn’t experience feeling homesick and I felt at home because of their kindness. Japan is really a beautiful place to live in, blessed with loving citizens. How I wish to come back to Japan again and live in Kochi someday.

Kinkon Tosanikki ⑫

A series of four-panel comics called Kinkon Tosanikki appears the evening edition of the local Kochi Shimbun newspaper.

Takumi: Joro Spiders are amazing!　
They make string from their back-sides…


Takumi: The one that moves a lot is probably the dad.

Boy: That’s not the dad!


Boy: The big, colorful ones are all female.
The males are these small ones.



Takumi: Today I spent the whole day looking at girls’ butts!

 

● Tosaben Tidbit ~ sentence-final “ya” and “de” ~
   One of the characteristics of Tosaben is the way its sentences end. The “ya” in this comic’s “otosan ya” and the “de” in this comic’s “nai de” and “na ga de” are often used sentence-finally in Tosaben. If written in standard Japanese, one could change “ya” to “da” and “de” to “yo”. Both are used as emphasis in Tosaben!

 

Japanese Cultural Experience－Incense Ceremony (Kōdō)－

   Each year, the Tosa Yamauchi Family Treasury and Archives provides opportunities for foreigners to experience traditional Japanese culture. This year you can learn about the history and rules of “Incense Ceremony”, and experience “kumikō” one basic style that takes the form of a guessing game. With explanations in English, even beginners will easily understand. Please come and experience the wonderful Japanese art of Incense Ceremony.

 

 

 

 

Before I knew it, 20 years had passed

   We recently went to Kagami in Kochi City to Michael Kahn’s house. Michael is originally from Arizona in America, and lives with his wife and three children.

Michael looking back on 20 years in Kochi

What was the reason you decided to come to Japan?
   My father was a university lecturer of Japanese history. We came over for his work when I was 8 years old, and lived in Tokyo for one year. I went to a Japanese elementary school and learned to speak a reasonable amount of Japanese, but gradually forgot it after I returned to America. However, I really wanted to be able to speak a language other than English fluently, so I applied for the JET programme* when I heard about it at university.

The Air in Kochi is Beautiful

   We recently visited Akiko Matsuyama’s house in a rising residential area of Kochi City. Akiko is an immigrant originally from Shandong Province, China who lives with her husband and three children.

What was the reason you came to Kochi?
   My older sister married in Kochi. At a celebration banquet after she gave birth to her child, my husband to be was there. My sister introduced us but 20 years ago it was difficult for me to go to Japan, so he made his way to Shanghai to see me.

   After we decided to wed, it took over a year and a half to get the proper residence qualifications for Japan.

The Move That Changed My Life

The Ogishima Family whose romance
 began at the Yosakoi festival

   We talked with Takahiro Ogishima, who is from Yamato City, Kanagawa Prefecture, and is now a Tourism Ambassador for Kochi Prefecture. Mr. Ogishima opened his home in Kochi City to us, where he lives with his wife, their one year old daughter, and his parents-in-law.

 

How did you first come to Kochi?
   A friend of mine from Kochi used to tell me all about the charm of Kochi and the Yosakoi Festival back in my days at vocational school. I was able to make my own schedule when I got an independent job as a designer, so when my friend invited me to participate in Yosakoi, I agreed, and that’s how it all started. At that time, I had zero prior knowledge about Yosakoi, and I thought it was something like the Obon Festival dance.