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.

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?

By Jib-kun

For me, coming to Tokyo from the ancient, quiet mountains of my home was my first "moving" experience.  I mean physically moving that is!  Nothing could be more moving than a beautiful sunset viewed from the top of one of Japan's high mountain peaks.  To compare the two, I think I prefer the emotionally moving experience, over the physically moving experience.  Watching a young deer give birth in a pristine forest is actually a little bit difficult to watch for squeamish folk like me, but nowhere near as difficult as moving an entire office from one place to another.   But it was worth it!  Check out our new glorious digs!

            Moving from one office to the other is exactly what we here at jibtv.com have just done.  It was a tremendous effort, conducted with almost military like precision in a matter of only a few days, while all the while not missing a single internet beat.

            I will miss the old place.  It was my first home in Tokyo, and I was really just beginning to feel at home.  But, this new office is grand!  Spacious and beautiful, it surely will be the launching pad for even better things here at jibtv.  Of course, it's not perfect.  The old office had crumbs of food in forgotten corners and behind cabinets here and there.  A great joy in my day was coming across a half eaten, well-aged sembei behind the photocopier.  This new building has a new, completely unlived in feel, so it will be a while before it starts to wear in like a comfortable shoe.

            When moving house in Japan, the proper thing to do is go to your neighbors with a small gift.  Typically people give soba noodles, towels or detergent, saying "Tsumanai mono desu ga."  Basically they are saying, "This is a boring thing." Moving office in Japan is a bit different.  Instead of going door to door with a bag full of noodles, we received a number of gorgeous floral displays.  One after the other, they arrived with messages from different companies wishing us luck in our new home.

The flowers are beautiful, and the office is spic and span.  All the workers seem cheery and encouraged by their new environment.  Just in time for me to stake claim to a filing cabinet, set up my bed and I will be right at home again.

            Japan Expo opened my eyes in a way that I never could have imagined.  But now, I'm back in Japan.  Returning gave me something I was not prepared for.  Reverse-culture shock!  Upon arriving in Japan and seeing all things Japanese as they are and should be here in Japan, I was haunted by the reality that "Japan" lives far beyond just these shores.

            I went through Narita with few problems. They are not used to creatures of my type, that's for sure.  I am a tiny, ancient woodland creature and for my height granted a bit overweight.  But the people at immigration were not as surprised as I would have imagined.  After all, all sorts of people in many shapes, sizes and appearance pass these immigration checks everyday and are greeted in big bold letters by the sign "Yokoso!" 

            They did however have some problems with the number and amount of my souvenier collection.  While in France I developed wuite a taste for cheese, and three enormous suitcase filled with cheese apparently is unusual sort of luggage.  They didn't believe me at first,  that it was all for personal consumption.  But I showed them sure enough, polishing off a huge block of gruyer in seconds... this was all for me!  Being back in Tokyo felt great.  And for once I understood that word Yokoso.

            "Yokoso" is of course Japanese for welcome.  But my experience at Japan Expo has taught me this.  "Yokoso!" is a word that is not yet well known enough.  Words that are known include "Kawaii," "Sugoi," and "Kakkoi."  These are words that have quickly become international lexicon for things Japanese abroad.  The intense interest and love of all things Japanese displayed at Japan Expo was deeply moving to one who has lived here some 200 years.  I mean, I was born here, I kind of have to love it.  But now more than ever I'm fascinated by why people from such far flung places as France care so deeply about Japan.

            After being with the youth of France, as they celebrated the works of traditional Japanese culture, Anime, Manga, J-Pop music and more I have returned with an even greater hunger to understand what my country has to offer.  I have an even greater desire to share those things with the world outside.  So I ask you reader.  What is it?  What is it that fascinates you most about this country?  Send me a mail, and I will do my best to share my small corner of the world with you across these seemingly impossible miles of distance.

            Wherever we are, I have learned, you can be whatever you will.  And for those who feel drawn to things Japanese, I say... "Yosoko!"

This is the 4^th and last day of the Festival. The Japan Expo has been quite a shocking experience for me.  The fashion, music and idiosyncrasies of Japanese people are surely to be expected in Japan, but when one sees young French Japanophiles gathered en masse and celebrating their love of all things Japan, it's... astounding.  I noticed right off the bat the many people dressed as all sorts of anime characters, manga creations, and Japanese culturally inspired fashion but why do they do this?

I talked a bit with the various people I met, and they surprised me with the depth of their interest in all things Japan as well as the importance this foreign culture has in their own lives.

I also met an amateur band who kindly posed for a photo in front of our booth.  They had just made their first album with the Japanese title "Retsugo."  The members explained how their love of Japanese culture inspired them as a kind of muse.  They were French but the Japanese music allowed them to express their passions and love of a country on the other side of the world.

The camaraderie of the attendees is really something.  Many of them were quick to point out that they would be laughed at by people in their hometowns, but here at Japan Expo they found themselves amongst a mob of fellow believers and for some the experience made them feel less out of place for their unusual hobby.

All of this seemed to go against my concept of French people.  But seeing some young girls dancing para-para quickly dissuaded me of the notion that culture is some how limited to the country of origin. 

I'm not exactly a great dancer myself, but when some young people started grooving to the tunes playing at the jibtv booth, courtesy of our program J-Melo, I showed them a few moves myself.  Not surprisingly all these French language ladies cooed "Kawaii!"

I was amazed all these people would be so knowledgeable about Japan.  And when I quizzed people who were dressed outwardly as Anime fans, I was surprised to learn their interests didn't stop there.  They all expressed keen interest in ikebana, shakuhachi, kimono and endless number of other more traditional Japanese culture.  Most, if not all of their information they had gathered on-line.  This new internet connected world has created lovers of exotic cultures from far across the globe.  Yet, resoundingly the sense I got from each person I talked to was that through this foreign culture they had each found ways to express themselves. Japanese culture is today a way for French youngsters to find their own identity.

Imagine that!  Teenage French are exploring their own artistic, creative and social selves through aesthetics created in a time and place far from their own communities.  The world is getting smaller!  But if I stay here much longer eating this French food, I will just keep getting bigger.

 

by Jib-kun

As much as I like this office, it's nice to get out every once in a while.  I mean it is a nice, well-carpeted and well-lit office, but sometimes I miss home.  I miss the trees, the mountains, and the beautiful scenery of Japan's great outdoors.  I've been looking for a good excuse to get out of the office and I found one not long ago.  One of the programs here at jibtv is called "Out and About."  The show takes viewers on adventures around the countryside to visit famous locations throughout Japan.

            Taking a stroll through the office I lingered by the desks of the producers one afternoon and overheard them discussing an up coming trip to the Japan Alps and Mt. Tateyama.  The producers were making their preparations for the trip and putting all the final details in order.  I pointed out that in their haste they had not hired an assistant food eater.  What would be done if, for example, they were to order a large meal and not have the capacity to finish it all?  Well, I volunteered my services and was soon accepted as part of the crew.

            Off we went to the beautiful mountainside of Toyama prefecture.  The tour began with a one-of-a-kind bus ride.  Making our way up from the base to the summit of these mountains, we encountered a number of unusual modes of transportation.  Our trip took us through old mountain tunnels carved into the rock and over huge mountain canyons suspended by wires on a gondola ride.

            Buried in the mountains is the popular tourist destination of Lake Kurobe and Japan's largest dam, the Kurobe Dam.  Its beautiful scenic views were breathtaking, but my personal favorite aspect of the location was the Kurobe Curry.  A small wall of rice holds back a pool of delicious curry, the plate arranged to represent the famous sightseeing spot.  It makes me think you could make an excellent restaurant based on Japan's many tourist attractions.  If there is a Kurobe Curry, why not a Tokyo Tower of pancakes or a Mt. Fuji of yakisoba?  Tourism could be sooooo delicious.

            Our travels took host Sotaro Nagasawa farther and farther up into the mountains.  I have to admit the cable gondola ride with an over 1.7 mile stretch of wire left me uncomfortably hanging in the air. From there with the help of a guide, Nagasawa-san hiked farther into the snow on a pair of ice climbing shoes.  Fortunately, they also had a fabulous cafeteria where I decided to stay for this leg of the journey.  I met the lovely staff of the mountain emergency response team and shared a meal with them in their mountain home!

           It was a fantastic trip through the mountains of Japan.  Living in Tokyo you can start to forget the beautiful countryside of Japan, but this trip reminded me of all the natural beauty this country has.  Even if you may never get to make the trip yourself, you can check out this gorgeous mountain destination on "Out & About". It airs on June 30^th!  Be sure to check it out.