Jib-kun's Diary - jibtv

By Jib-kun

Greetings to you all!  Like me, you must be celebrating the New Year!   New Year celebrations in Japan are very special every year.  A time to take a break, to be with family and most of all to eat and watch TV!  There couldn't be a better holiday designed for a little creature like myself.  
    When I first joined everyone here at Jibtv, almost a year ago now, they asked me what my hobbies were. I told them I'd never really had a hobby.  After all, ancient forest dwelling creatures like myself get great practice at not doing much of anything most of the time.  You'll never hear a mountain say it's bored.  And you'll never hear a tree moan about a busy day planner.  (Which is ironic, because many of them become day planners.) But living in Tokyo for the first time, I have found so many exciting and fun things to do.
    I have traveled along with camera crews to locations around Japan and Tokyo.  I have eaten just about every tasty morsel produced in this country.  I have been very busy watching as much Jibtv programming as possible to keep abreast of what is happening in Japan and in the world!  
    But now they are telling me I've got to go take a vacation.  I'm not sure what I will do.  I have about 4 days of complete and total freedom. So I will need to go somewhere warm.  I also need to go someplace with internet, so I can keep up to date on what's happening.  Lastly, I need to go someplace with good food.  Hmmm... I wonder if any of these people in the office will let me come home with them.  Maybe I will stay with one of the J-Vloggers.  
    Enough about me! Happy New Year to you!  Thanks so much for checking in with me here at my little blog.  Please visit again in 2010!  We have so much exciting stuff planned for the future of Jibtv.  Have a wonderful celebration and see you in the new year!

     I'm very excited to be celebrating my first Christmas.  I've been in Japan for a few hundred years, as you know, but in the forest there aren't any christmas celebrations.  Well, at least not in the Japanese forests.  I don't know about other countries.  Perhaps the woodland and ancient mysterious creatures of other countries' forests do celebrate the season.  It would make sense in one way, because the pine tree stands at the center of attention.  That being said, I number quite a few Japanese pine trees amongst my friends and I'm not sure how they'd feel about it. Decorating sure, but the whole cutting down bit?  It wouldn't go over well is what I'm thinking.  Perhaps when woodland creatures celebrate Christmas in those countries they get a plastic tree.

When I heard what they were filming I was sure to ask if I could tag along!  NHK WORLD/jibtv program Tokyo Eye made a visit to Akihabara to visit the global center of otaku culture and bargain electronics shopping.  In the first of the two part episodes we were introduced to Akihabara's great shopping opportunities.  Part two, though had my curiousity slightly more peaked.  The show uncovered many different Maid Cafes, the range of them truly surprising.

     Now for those of you who don't know what a maid cafe is... hmmm... how do I explain this?  A maid cafe is a coffee shop where young ladies dressed in maid costumes treat their guests as honored visitors.  They use only the most polite language and make the customer feel as though they are practically visiting royalty. 

     But this episode of Tokyo Eye uncovered so much more.  At one cafe featured in the program, the maids are actually quite rude to the guests, only becoming kind when the customer is about to leave.  At which point they have a total personality shift, apologize for their bad behavior and beg the customer to stay.  Yet another cafe has the customer face off in a contest of rock, paper, scissors with the Maid.  If he loses he'll be foreced to drink a disgusting mix of milk natto and seaweed.  But if he wins, he can drink a delicious drink!

     The concepts behind maid cafes have really begun to individualize and break off into different directions.  One cafe visited in the show is a recreation of Taisho era Japan (1912-1926) with staff who claim to have come directly through time and space from that period in history.  Decorations are authentic and the atmospehere serene so customers can unwind in a time and place long ago.

     If you ask me all of this Maid business is a little bit strange!  Thats why I am so glad I went along for the adventure.  What a wonderful, wacky place Akihabara is!  Check it out for yourself on Wednesday the 9th here on jibtv.com!

The thing I've enjoyed most about my new life here in the human world is the food.  But my switch from the subtle green flavor of forest grown moss, to the delicious culinary delights of human food, have not been without their... er... side effects.  To put it simply, it is starting to effect my sides.  The shape and proportion of them has grown exponentially since I was first introduced to the cruchy delight of sembei rice crackers.  The buttery smoothness of Hokkaido raisin butter sandwhiches.  The sweet and sour tangyness of candied plum on a stick. I do love them so.  And they appear to love me so much that they are sticking around.  Sticking around my waist area!

     I do get a fair amount of exercise.  I have developed a short jogging course from my cabinet to the refrigerator, with a few breaks to catch my breath and get an energy sustaining sembei from a table top in between.  This regimen, however, seems to have no thinning effect.  I thought all hope was lost.  That was until quite miraculously the engineers here at jibtv.com came up with a solution.  Now, with the simple click of a button,you can enlarge the video streaming screen to the full proportions of your computer screen.  Check it out next time you are watching our programming!

     It came not a second too soon.  I was already struggling to wedge myself into the original small video screen.  Now with this new full screen capapbility, there is more than enough room for all of me to fit on your display.  Which begs the question: Do I really need to diet after all?  I mean with the technology on the site improving everyday, no matter how heavy I get, I the bandwith will support my unstoppable snacking.  Hmmm... is that sembei I smell.  Later!

by Jib-Kun

This past week had a strange calendar anomaly newly dubbed "Silver Week."  It doesn't normally do so, but this year it just so happened that Resect for the Aged Day and the Autumnal Equinox Day were only a day a part.  Which gave the work weary people of Japan a 5 day holiday weeked.  If you do the math, you may have noticed that this should account for 4 days of vacation.  However, a very wise Japanese law stipulates that if two national holidays are one day apart, the middle day becomes "Citizens Day," and thus it becomes three in a row!  I like this kind of law.  

It's "Silver Week," because there is already a well established tradition of a "Golden Week" which comes each spring as Japan celebrates Showa Day, Constitution Memorial Day, Greenery Day and Children's Day all in a row.  As far as I have heard, there is no "Bronze Week." But, I think hey!  Why not?

All of this holiday taking is very new to me.  In the forest pretty much everyday is a holiday.  I was rather curious about one holiday in particular this "Silver Week."  Respect for the Aged Day!  Well, thank you very much.  It's about time.  Now in my second century of life I am glad somebody is taking a little bit of time to respect us old folk.  Quite often the longest living person in the world is a Japanese person.  The number of centenarians in Japan in astounding.  Though Im the only bicentenarian I'm aware of.  Most elderly Japanese people attribute their long life-spans to their diet.  Its true, eat seaweed, tofu and lots of vegetables and you will live a long time... you just might not enjoy the process too much.  For me, I prefer ramen, fried foods, sembei and delicious creamy deserts. 

I'm glad there is one day to pay respect to our seniors.  Sometimes this crazy, sprawling city is too focused on young people.  It's a good thing for the young ones to take note of the elderly, because before you know it, you are the one blowing out a cake with 100 candles.

By Jib-kun

 

     When I arrived in the big city, I didn't expect things to turn out the way they have. I simply hitched a ride in the back of a location van and ended up inside this TV companies office.  I miss the countryside, but I've chosen to stay for many reasons.  The biggest reason is all the food.  Put quite plainly human food is a lot better than the moss I ate in the forest.  I've had some great moss in my day, but it never compares to a delicous raisin butter sandwhich from Hokkaido or a sweet and crunchy unagi pie from Hamamatsu!

     But my life in Tokyo has brought me new opportunities I'd never imagined.  You see, I'm famous now.  I'm really hoping that fame won't change me from my humble forest beginnings, but to be honest it's pretty exciting.  I've been watching the programming on jibtv for quite some time.  I think I could even claim "biggest fan status." But now I am being broadcasted on jibtv!

     Here and there in the programing line-up appears two new promotional videos to explain jibtv and its many services.  Of course they considered a number of big names for the job: Shingo, Hamasaki, Souseki.  But in the end they chose me!  And I very humbly accepted.  Oooooohhhhh Yeaaaaah! Take a look below!

This is one of two videos that can be seen both on our internet broadcast and on satellite if you receive the show that way.  I think I did a pretty excellent job.  Although, to be honest I did begin to worry as I watched it that I am beginning to gain a little too much weight.  I think I need to cut down on the raisin butter sandwiches.  After all, I'm starting to get recognized in the streets of Shibuya more and more.  I have to think about my image.  Especially if I am going to get more work.  I'm hoping for a block-buster action movie.  What do you think... "Jib-kun Armageddon" or "Street fighting Jib-kun?"   I'll let my agent figure that out, as soon as I get one.

Check the other video below!

By Jib-Kun

Surprisingly, nobody in the office seems to have noticed the fact that I am naked.  It shouldn't be surprising that I'm naked.  In the forest au naturel is pretty much the "in look" except in the rare case of those particularly conservative animals who hide beneath a coat of fur, or stags with their penchant for accessorizing with antlers. "Free as a bird" is quite literally the fashion de mode. It is decidedly not the case in human society.  While there doesn't seem to be any absolute dress code in our office, everybody dresses in typical office wear.  Now in the hotter summer months, neckties have disappeared and sleeves have slowly shrunk up towards the wearer's shoulder.  As the seasons change, so do the attendant fashions.

Though a city dweller now, I retain my nakedness.  Actually, nobody seems to have even noticed.  I guess somehow it's not the same thing.  To be honest, I'm a bit jealous.  I wish I had the opportunity to wear clothes more often.  It looks like great fun.  I got to thinking about it this past Friday as I wandered through Shibuya.  Out of the ordinary, in this Japanese cityscape were the numbers of people wearing Yukata and Jinbei on their way to a fireworks display.  But it really shouldn't be striking.  It should be common, but it's really not.  These two traditional outfits only really make their appearances in the summer when the night sky is filled with fireworks or the air carries the beating sound of a festival's drums.

Day to day, this is a city of jeans, a city of polyester tights and cotton pants. If I were a creature that dressed, generally speaking, I think I'd wear this wonderful clothing everyday.  I'd not relegate it to the sad corner of the closet for those special once a year days.  Rather, I'd be decked out in my flowing Yukata each and everyday of summer.  But then my dry cleaning bill would be substantially larger.  Maybe being a woodland creature has its advantages.  I mean, how many squirrels have you seen at your local cleaners?

By Jib-kun

            About half of the human population here in Tokyo is male, and about half the population is female.  For me this is an incredible point of interest.  You see, compared to my experience in the forest, these human beings have an endlessly complicated time trying to woo their fellow humans into relationships.  In the forest it's slightly more simple, though perhaps no different.  I mean who is to say a peacock's feathers are any different from the hairstyles I see in Shibuya every day.  Certainly, two stags butting horns is no different from the dueling affections of men for the same doe-eyed tokyoite.

            Parts of Tokyo, however, seem designed from the ground up as a location for couples.  Rainbow bridge, one of the most beautiful landmarks of Tokyo, seems to be as important as a conduit for traffic through the city as it is a gateway to relationships as love birds perch in one of the many nearby viewing spots looking down on the gorgeous Tokyo Bay view.  I hitched a ride to catch this view myself with the Tokyo Eye location van as they set out to do an entire half-hour episode dedicated to dating spots around the Tokyo Bay area.

            Tokyo Eye is a half hour program dedicated to Tokyo's most interesting locations and activities.  Hosted by Chris Peppler, this episode featured the hapless Kevin Cooney in a search to find prospective date spots in the bay area for an upcoming romantic evening.  At his side his friend and co-reporter Jennifer Julien guided him through, helping evaluate from a woman's perspective what places might work the best. 

It was clear from the onset this guy needed some help.  See him here visiting the Sasuke (Ninja Warrior) training zone in Odaiba's Muscle Park.  This unique corner of the Deck's shopping center in Odaiba looked like fun, even for someone who isn't exactly the Hulk.

            Here Kevin and Jennifer enjoyed another game at this same location.  A great way to get to know each other in a relaxed environment. 

            The program also took a look at a few of the ferry services around the bay that give a romantic view of the city.  Well, more romantic than a crowded train to be sure at least!  They also investigated other sites besides Odaiba including the popular shopping area LalaPort.  They even investigated seemingly unconventional places like the Tokyo Gas Science Museum.  Seemingly unromantic, it turned out to be a quirky home run!

            I have no idea how Kevin's date turned out, but I can say this.  The tour of the bay was engaging and full of ideas.  It was full of ideas, not just for couples, but families, tourists, and anyone visiting the area looking for something to do.  Check it out when Tokyo Eye airs this Wednesday the 26^th on jibtv.com.

 

By Jib-kun

With a new office* come many changes.  Along with such a move also comes the inevitable question: "Where do I sit?"  My role in the office has always been a bit of an odd one.  I was living in a nice cabinet in the old office, and have moved into a more spacious cabinet in the new office.  But when it comes to finding a place to sit in the office or when I listen in on meetings, I never know where I'm supposed to sit.

The Japanese have many rules about this, all of which were new to me.  You see in the forest, you sit where you sit.  A nice patch of grass, a not so pointy rock, a tree stump, anywhere is good enough.  It's not so easy here.  I'll try to explain some of the rules they have in the office.  To understand a Japanese office, you need to understand the basic idea of the kamiza and the shimoza.  These terms refer respectively to the "higer seat" and the "lower seat" in the room.  Essentially, it relates to the status of the person, and, therefore, where in a room they are likely to be seated.  These rules are not something anyone is likely to say out loud, but those raised with the concept immediately seem to know exactly where to sit.

So, let's look at a typical office room.  Tell me, which do you think is the kamiza and which do you think is the shimoza?

Well, every room is different, but the easiest clue is the location of the door.  Generally speaking, the kamiza will be the seat farthest from the door.  So in this case, either the seat on the bottom or the right might qualify. Likewise, the shimoza will be the seat closest to the door.  Also important to consider, are other possible features of the room, such as the most comfortable chair, arrangement of the windows, and occasionally in some settings a "Tokonoma," which is a small inset in the wall which often is decorated with flowers or artwork.

The seat closest to the tokonoma is almost always the kamiza if the room has one.  Usually, the seat which is facing the entranceway is the best seat in the house.  But these rules aren't just for rooms.  Elevators, taxis, even roller-coasters have a kami-za and shimoza.

If you are not so sure, the safest bet is to do what I do.  Keep standing until everybody else sits down and then take the open chair!  Here is a photo of a meeting room at jibtv.  Which seat do you think is the kamiza?

*:Refer to "Moving House"