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Today's Contents:
1. The first bits: Fire Festival, Kyogen, Ski-ing in Hakuba and Gifu Ken, New format Acceleration Program, Online Dictionary, Jobs
2. Course information.
3. Student Interview: Peter Cioccarelli (Australia)
4. Japan Guide: Himeji Castle
5. About The Yamasa Institute for Japanese Studies
6. Subscription Information
1. The first bits.
(a) Things to do:
Detailed in issue 28 of the Newsletter, a performance of Kyogen will take place on February 28th at 2.00pm at Kota Chomin Kaikan Sakura Hall. Nomura Mansai and his son Mansaku will explain the wording and movements of Kyogen before the performance starts and the program - which only includes Kyogen - is about a Yamabushi priest who failed to get rid of a devil. Seats range from 3,000 Yen to 5,400 Yen and can be purchased in advance by calling Momonoki Nursery at 0564-62-2390 or email momonoki_hoiku@yahoo.com. There is a 500 Yen surcharge for tickets bought on the day.
(b) Fire Festival cancellation:
The Fire Festival at Takisanji Temple on Saturday February 9th has been cancelled. The annual festival where rice planting ceremony is performed and people carry burning torches around the temple's cloister will not take place this year due to major renovation work currently in progress at the temple. However, the temple is still a good place to go and visit. Make your way to Takisanji Temple in Taki-cho (the Northern part of Okazaki city) by bus from Higashi Okazaki station to Taki-cho.
(c) Ski-ing:
The first ski trip of the year to Hakuba last week was a successful one (no broken legs or serious injuries!!) and Declan will be taking another party in February and again towards the end of the ski season in March. A small group will be travelling to the resort of Hakuba in Nagano Prefecture and, if they are beginners, will receive ski or snowboard lessons (FREE!) from the renowned downhill expert. For those who don't need lessons you are cordially invited to attempt the Super G course (one ski only, no stocks, helmet optional). Snowboarders are also welcome.
The cost of the trip is 20,000 Yen and this includes:
(Doesn't include: Ski equipment hire, meals on Friday evening or lunches or Sunday lift pass).
The tour will be leaving on Friday 25th of January and returning on Sunday evening (27th).
Other dates for ski trips to Hakuba this season are:
Please come to the International Office in Aoi Hall for more information on ski equipment hire prices and to make reservations/payments. Places are limited for all dates and are allocated on a 'first come, first served' basis, so make sure you book early!
If you would prefer to take a day-trip to go ski-ing then the special offer that JR (Japan Railways) is running in conjuction with Ciao Ontake Snow Resort would be for you. For just 6,000 Yen you can get return travel from Nagoya station to the resort in Gifu Prefecture and a one day lift pass. You should be able to ski for about 6 or 7 hours. Check out http://www.ciao.co.jp for more information on prices and other deals available.
(d) Korean language website:
Yamasa's Korean language website has been updated with more detailed information on courses, accommodation and on-campus facilities. You will also be able to find a Korean version of this Newsletter!!
(e) Online Kanji Dictionary now accessible:
On Thursday 17th of January the programmers in the back office released the test version of Yamasa's OCJS Online Dictionary. This dictionary is published in English, Chinese (Traditional), Spanish, Korean, German and Czech and includes both a word dictionary and a Kanji dictionary in an online database. At the moment the only version you will be able to see is the test version, so the server will be very slow. It will give you a good idea of some of the resources that the OCJS project has been working on over the last 18 months, so if you have the time have a look at:
http://www.yamasa.org/ocjs/kanjijiten/index.html
(f) Changes to teaching of private/semi-private lessons:
Although the Institute has expanded and will be adding 2 additional dedicated classrooms in April, our policy of keeping average class sizes low is creating a continuing shortage of classrooms and teachers. From February 1st, the AM timetable will be extended from 09:00 to 15:30 in the afternoon (currently 13:30), and the PM schedule will change to 15:40 to 21:00 (currently 13:40 to 21:00). If you are currently enrolled in a full time ACJS program, then it is possible to receive up to 2 private lessons per week at a flat rate of 2400 yen (previously 2100 yen), subject to availability of faculty. Please note that if you are one of the students who registered and are on the waiting list for private lessons as of January 19th then you will not be affected by the tuition fee increase and may continue to study at the 2100 yen rate until June 30th. Full details are online at:
http://www.yamasa.org/acjs/english/programs/private.html
(g) New format Acceleration Program:
From April 2002 the Acceleration Program will change from the existing format and be split into two new formats:
(h) Radio Show:
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Joseph Huang and teachers in FM Okazaki studio |
If you would like to request a song, make a dedication or send Joseph a message to be read out during his show please come to the International Office or fax Joseph directly on 0564 55-8764 (make sure you include his name and your own name on the fax).
(i) Shodo (Japanese calligraphy) lessons:
Nowadays most Japanese people use pencils, pens and often computers to write letters and documents. But the art of shodo (calligraphy), where an ink-dipped brush is used to create Chinese kanji and Japanese kana characters, remains a traditional part of Japan's culture. If you would like to learn more about shodo then come to the Student Village every Monday night at 7.00pm - 8.00pm where Kato Erina sensei will be taking a shodo lesson. There is no fee (if you would like to buy a shodo writing set then this can be purchased for 1,500 Yen) and anybody is welcome to join. Please come to the International Office before Thursday if you wish to register to take part.
(j) Jobs:
| A local company is interested in hiring a Japanese speaking foreigner with marketing experience to work as product manager handling a major project. The product range is from a major european manufacturer. The successful applicant should be degree qualified, fluent in English, have Japanese proficiency of upper intermediate or higher (equivalent of Level 2 minimum) and be committed to work for minimum of 2-3 years. For details contact Declan Murphy at the International Office. |
Recruitment ongoing for the following positions at Yamasa:
see http://www.yamasa.org/acjs/network/english/careers.html for details and other vacancies, and contact careers@yamasa.org if you are interested in applying. Most are connected with web publishing and translation. Study Japanese for free in exchange for part-time work in the International Office. These are ongoing positions - we need people all year round, so please contact us if you are interested in positions later in the year as well.
(k) Other bits:
Jon Walden
Admissions Coordinator, International Office
The
Yamasa Institute - Aichi Center for Japanese Studies
1-2-1 Hanehigashimachi
Okazaki
Aichi Japan 444-0832
Tel: +81 (0) 564 55 8111
Fax: +81
(0) 564 55 8174 (admissions)
Fax: +81 (0) 564 55 8113 (student
affairs)
Email: Admissions
Email: newsletter@yamasa.org
URL: http://www.yamasa.org/acjs/
URL: http://www.yamasa.org/acjs/network/
2. Course Information
Accommodation
From January through to March Villa Studio Apartments 3 and 4 are full, Residence U and K are also full until April and Residence L is full until July 2002. There are a limited number of rooms available in the Student Village. Students applying for courses from January through to March and wishing to stay in accommodation which is currently unavailable will be placed on a waiting list. There are usually some last-minute changes, so check with Admissions for information or see the availability file for details. Please note that accommodation is not reserved until we have recieved the tuition fees for your chosen course in full.
Accommodation in apartments in the annexe of the Rec World Hotel (near Daijuji Temple) will be used whenever Yamasa's accommodation becomes full. The prices for the "1K-Single" and "2K-Shared" room options have been discounted and are now the same price as the Student Village. For more information on the apartments in the Rec World Hotel annexe, please see the following pages:
http://www.yamasa.org/acjs/english/hotel.html (for accommodation description)
http://www.yamasa.org/acjs/english/tankisei.html (for price list of accommodation)
Message from Housing Office: Please also note that it is extremely important that you rank your accommodation preferences clearly. Upgrades are possible in the event of cancellations - so if your first preference is a single room in the village, select "Village single" as first choice, "Residence U" as your second choice and so on.
Long-term Courses:
Student Visa: Applications for April 2002 and October 2002: Applications for the student visa beginning in April 2002 have now closed. Applications are now being taken for the next student visa start date of October, the application deadline for which is June 20th. If you need more information about these dates, please check the deadlines for the student visa listed in each course in the program catalogue. If you wish to apply for the October 2002 start please complete an application form online (see http://www.yamasa.org/acjs/english/programs/apply.html for details) or contact Admissions for more information.
Short-term courses:
| Discovery Tour starting on March 22nd - itinerary at: http://www.yamasa.org/acjs/english/programs/discovery_20020322.html Contact Admissions for details. There are still a few places available - join a very small private tour: There are still a number of places available - join a very small private tour: Includes Skiing at Shin Hotaka, Mount Fuji, Shiraito-no-taki waterfalls. Takayama Jinya, Sekigahara battlefield, Lake Biwa, Asuke, Hakone, the temples and shirines of Kyoto, Toyota Motor Factory and kaikan, Lake shoujiko, Narusawa Ice Cave and Takayama. There is also a tour of the Tokugawa Art Museum, Nagoya Towers, and the Asahi Brewery as well as many other locations. |
Other Discovery Tours all have vacancies - contact Admissions for further information. Tour dates for next year are available at http://www.yamasa.org/acjs/english/programs/discovery_dates.html
All SILAC programs have space but accommodation is very limited. Contact Admissions as soon as possible for information.
3. Student Interview: Peter Cioccarelli (SILAC)
 |
| Peter Cioccarelli |
Peter is currently recovering from the rigors of a ski-trip to Hakuba with Declan Murphy, and students taking part in the Discovery Tour.
Jon: How is the course going so far?
Peter: At first it was hard, but I've got used to the pace of the program now.
J: When did you begin studying at Yamasa?
P: On December 14th last year, I've got a month to go.
J: And overall what have you thought of the course?
P: The exercises we do in the afternoon are good.
J: Exercises?
P: Yes, the conversation exercises where you talk about yourself, a theme, or a topic. I also the find the daily tests on vocabulary are useful and the rotation of teachers keeps a bit of variety in the classes.
J: Any aspects of the course you don't like?
P: I'm 6"4 and some of the desks are a little bit low for me because they have a shelf underneath the top part of the desk. It was a bit of a problem before, but I've found desks without the shelf so it's fine now.
J: How are the teachers?
P: They are all very knowledgable and help with any problems you might have. They always give you more homework when you ask for it.
Continued at http://www.yamasa.org/acjs/network/english/newsletter/student_int_22.html
4. Japan Guide: Himeji Castle
Continuing the look at World Heritage Sites, we come to one of Japan's most famous landmarks - Himeji Castle, situated in the center of Himeji City in Hyogo prefecture, about 50 kilometers west of Kobe. According to UNESCO (The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) Himeji castle is 'the finest surviving example of 16th-century Japanese castle architecture, comprising 83 buildings with highly developed systems of defence and ingenious protection devices. It also adds to our understanding of Japanese feudal culture at the beginning of the Shogun period' and in 1993 was registered in UNESCO's World Heritage list.
Also known as the "Shirasagijo" (White Heron Castle), because of its white walls which are covered with white plaster, the castle has changed significantly since construction on the present site of a fort by Norimura Akamatsu, a lord in charge of security for the Himeji area, began in 1333. It was another 250 years before the castle began to look like it's present shape. This was mainly due to the introduction of matchlocks by the Portuguese in the 16th Century which completely changed castle construction. Castle designs had to be changed to take into consideration rifle range, and provide thicker, fireproof walls with a structure where rifle troops could move freely inside the castle for defense. The reason for the use of white plaster in many of the castles is that it is fireproof and is also considered to be a strong reinforcement. Like other surviving Japanese castles, Himeji Castle was built of..........
Continued at http://www.yamasa.org/japan/english/destinations/hyogo/himeji.html
5. ABOUT THE YAMASA INSTITUTE'S AICHI CENTER FOR JAPANESE STUDIES
The Yamasa Institute is committed to providing high-quality education in the Japanese language. We are a non-profit organization, a part of the Hattori Group. We are accredited by Association for the Promotion of Japanese Language Education - APJLE, accreditation number B302 - and "the only Institute in the Mikawa region with the appropriate programs, systems, curriculum and facilities required for quality Japanese language education" according to the Ministry of Justice. Further, in recognition of the excellent quality of our programs, we are in the top tier of 'Appropriately Authorized Japanese Language Education Institutes' - in fact, the only school in the Mikawa area with this prestigious recommendation. For full details see the accreditation section on the homepage at http://www.yamasa.org/acjs/english/accreditation.html
6. SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION
You are being sent this newsletter because at some time you contacted the Yamasa Institute's Aichi Center for Japanese Studies through email, or you contacted an internet-based Japanese language information service which forwarded your email to us. If you do not want to receive further issues of this newsletter, please send a message to unsubscribe@yamasa.org with the word "unsubscribe" in the title. We apologize for any inconvenience.
(c) 2002 The Yamasa Institute Aichi Center for Japanese Studies
1-2-1 Hanehigashi-machi
Okazaki Aichi Japan 444-0832
Tel: +81 (0) 564 55 8111 Fax: +81 (0) 564
55 8113
URL: http://www.yamasa.org/acjs/
Email: Admissions
