Jib-kun's Diary - jibtv: September 2009Archives

September 25, 2009 4:00 PM

Silver Week

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.

September 7, 2009 1:09 PM

I'm Famous

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!

September 4, 2009 12:59 AM

Hachiko

By Jib-Kun

Here at our office in Shibuya, we are a short walk from a number of fascinating places. The cool green pastures of Yoyogi Park, the unconventional wackiness of Harajuku bridge, with its cosplayers, and the famed Shibuya crossing. Also known as the "Hachiko crossing," it is familiar to many visitors to Tokyo before they ever arrive. Hachiko is, of course, Hachiko the dog. Born to a litter of eight, and thus named, he found his way into the heart of locals after (legend has it) his owner died and Hachiko waited everyday till his own death at the station for his master's return. Hachiko, the ever-present Akita now sits statuesque and motionless waiting for his master's return. The dog statue has become a popular meeting spot for Tokyoites. Though, in this summer heat, I prefer meeting people in the meat section of the supermarket below the station. Recently, the dog has even been portrayed on the big screen alongside Richard Gere in the film "Hachi." This is not the first time, he's made it onto the big screen in Japan. The story of Hachiko first played in 1987 on film but has been retold in almost every possible media.

The crossing itself gained global fame after appearing in the film "Lost in Translation." The madness and energy of the crowds crossing this impossibly busy intersection personified the raw excitement of the city. It is something to see it in person. I had never seen so much light, movement, noise and chaos in the entirety of my 200 and some odd years on earth. Nothing in the forest can compare or prepare one for such a scene. It is the epitome of modern, urban, and man-made in my mind. But, in a way, I see a teeming anthill. Atop it worker ants scatter to and fro from wherever it is they go and return to disappearing below ground.

Where are all these people going and what are they doing? Each one of them has a story. Ok, some of those stories may be a little boring... but each one bears telling, as it is unique, even among the dizzying numbers that swell the crossing at each change of the light.

Though I live in Shibuya, in the Jibtv office, I never have much reason to cross the crossing for any other reason than my own entertainment and gawking. But it occurs to me each time I visit, there seems to be more and more foreign visitors doing just that. Tokyo Tower is tall. Senso-ji is old. So many places are interesting in Tokyo. But Shibuya crossing must be the cities core. Maybe Hachiko wasn't actually waiting for his master to return. Like me, he just liked hanging out at this incredible crossroads.