Hey sensei,

I know I haven't written lately, but I've been using the holidays for my games (or trying to - my PS2 is starting to break and I'm hoping for cash as a present to help replace it). You said the Japanese have crazy shopping sprees and I believe it. I heard at some time, however, that around Christmas they also act a little more Christian as opposed to Shinto/ Buddhist. Is that true?

Onto the main subject of the letter, merchandise. It seems that there are figurines made for every cool game and anime ever released. I've got a Vincent Valentine 1/8 scale figure and thinking of getting a Tifa. (Although I would kill for a 3D Highwind model) Soundtracks are the same. On the net, I can't find good ones for under $50! And I know they're cheaper - I ordered the Tales of Symphonia OST for about $50, and when I got it, it said 3850 yen on the side. Are these items common in Japan? Even on the web, they're slightly hard to find. Besides, I like buying things in person better than online - you know you're getting what you pay for. If they are in Japan, are they everywhere, or just in specialty stores?

Those are my questions, hope you've got answers.

Thanks,

Nick.

P.S. Merry Christmas

As for whether or not the Japanese act Christian, I'm not really sure. That's a tough one to answer, but I can tell you that there are models or figures for everything imaginable. Most of them are pretty easy to find. Often, you do have to go to a specialty store, but there are plenty around, so it's not too hard to find what you need. You can also get them online via Japanese retailers. And yes, a model of the Highwind WOULD be really nice.

As for the soundtracks, they are pretty easy to find. Any music store should have a decent selection, and a specialty store will have an even better selection. You can also rent music for a tiny fraction of the price to buy it. You're not supposed to copy the music that you rent, but I figure what the Japanese don't know won't hurt 'em.

Thanks for writing, and Merry Christmas!

Best thing about your time in Japan. GO!

-Jerry

Wow, you win the award for the shortest Culture Corner email ever. Congratulations. Umm... best thing about my time in Japan? That's a tough one. I've had some great experiences. Seeing Kyoto and Nara was really great both times, and climbing Fuji is something I'll never forget. Plus, just teaching kids is something all its own. There is something to be said for watching a seven-year-old girl read a book in English when you taught her to read that book. There is also something to be said for hearing a baby speak her first English words on her own that weren't just repeating after me.

I guess that by typing this answer, I've found my answer. The best part of living in Japan has been teaching my kids. My adults are really great too, but these kids started from the ground up. I don't believe the previous teacher did a very good job, and from what I've heard, she hated kids. I truly love these kids, and teaching them has been one of the most fulfilling experiences of my entire life. I will treasure those memories forever.

Thanks for sending in a letter, and have happy holidays!

Hello, sensei! I’m sorry to hear you're so cold... Those two extra sparkles you gave me last time are keeping me toasty warm though!

I have a question for you today. I know about a dozen different ways to apologize to someone in Japanese, but I've never received any sort of tutorial for accepting an apology. Could you please enlighten me as to the common 'apology accepted' phrases of Japan? I must know what to do if someone falls at me feet screaming incoherent apologies, sensei! Or at least... when someone is telling me to stop doing that to them...

May the lights on your Christmas tree be as bright as the sparkles you emit and your tea as warm as the cheeks of someone beholding you.

Kyrie

Hrm... I've never really thought about it. Most people just use daijoubu for most everything here. You can also use something like 'ii yo,' which would be something along the lines of 'it's ok'

Thanks for sending in another email. It's always fun to get one from you, and I'm glad those sparkles have been put to good use. Japan is a mighty cold place since they have yet to discover central heating and decent insulation. But just in case those two wear out, here's a couple more to keep you going! *sparkle* *sparkle*

By the way, that's an AWESOME closing to your letter. Have happy holidays, and send me another sometime!

I figure I might as well ask the hard questions. :) Being a former JET participant and 2-year resident of Japan myself, I know coming back home is a time of some major mixed feelings. What are you really going to miss about living in Japan, and what can't you wait to get back to in America?

Your friendly, neighborhood translator,

Sic

That's not a hard question to answer, but it is a hard question to think about. As much as I gripe about my job, the truth is I love it. Sometimes I hate working for GEOS; they do some pretty stupid things, but the students make it all worthwhile.

As I mentioned before, teaching the kids has been a wonderful experience, but the adults have been really great, too. While they haven't learned as much as the kids have, I've formed some pretty deep friendships with some of my students. I'm nearly the same age as a couple of them, and they are more than just customers to me. These are people that care about me, and I truly care about them. Leaving Japan will break my heart because I know that I will never get to see most, if not all, ever again. It will be especially hard on Kizuki, the baby that I teach. She has known me for more than half of her life. Her mother says she looks forward to Friday each week because of her English lesson with me.

Other things I'll miss include onsen and temples. I am a Christian, but the feeling you get when you walk into a temple is so different than what you get when you walk into a church. Both can be beautiful, but churches are places of gathering. Temples are places of solitude and self-reflection. The feeling of being in nature and being able to meditate in one is simply amazing.

As for onsen, well, I never thought I'd really fall in love with public bathing, but there's a communal feel to it that is just really nice. Plus, the baths are really, really comfortable. When I'm really stressed and need to relax, few things feel as good as a trip to the onsen. Sadly, onsen just would never work in America; people are WAY too self conscience and homophobic. I just can't see a group of men bathing together in America. I'd recommend that anyone that comes to Japan try it. It's worth it.

As for what I miss most about America, first and foremost, I miss Caroline. I also miss being able to read. My kanji never really improved over here, but that's only because I was a slacker. I really should have worked harder.

There are other things, but this list would go on forever if I listed them all. Basically, I just miss my home. Granted, Japan is my home now, but America is my true home. That's ever going to change. As much as I love it here, I'll never be able to live here forever.

Thanks for the email and the many stories you translate for me. Japandemonium wouldn't be possible if it weren't for your help. Merry Christmas, A-Chan!

Dear Sensei,

How are Christmas and New Years celebrated in Japan? In what ways are they different?

Every single RPGamer Staffer

Since I got this question from about four different staffers, I figured I'll just lump 'em all together and answer it in one go. Christmas is somewhat similar to the way we celebrate it. The Japanese go out and buy a Christmas tree, and they decorate it much like we do. The only difference in that is our trees are usually a whole lot bigger, but then again, so are our houses. I can't really fit my mother's nine and a half foot tree in my tiny apartment...

Another big thing for the Japanese is Christmas cake. If they know ONE thing it's Kurisumasu keeki. Honestly, I don't have a clue what is so special about Christmas cake, but it seems to be a French tradition. Maybe it's some kind of special cake, but I wouldn't know. They usually have this cake at the Bonenkai, or end of the year party. It's kind of a general purpose Christmas, New Years, and just regular party party. The Japanese are always up for a party, especially if it involves good food. It also usually involves copious amounts of beer, but we actually had no booze at the GEOS party. Everyone was too cheap to drink, and I don't really care much for beer, so I was all the happier to not have to drink it.

The Japanese also have Santa and presents, but they don't get NEARLY as many presents as we do. Most children will get A present, and it's generally not very expensive.

As for New Years, that is a HUGE day in Japan. Everyone wants to stay up for the sun rise, and they will ring the temple bell 108 times. Everyone also eats sanuke udon, which is quite tasty. They also eat special foods that can go for three days without spoiling because no one wants to cook over that holiday.

As for the religious aspects, people go to a Buddhist temple to pray for their sins before the new year, and then they go to a Shinto shrine to pray for the upcoming year. And as I mentioned last week, they will all get protective charms and fortunes for the year. The fortunes are given a 'luck rank.' The ranking is:

I have never seen anything below kichi, but I have heard of people getting kyou and dai kyou. I got sho kichi last year. Here's hoping for Dai Kichi this year.

Thanks to everyone on staff that wrote in to help make this week's Culture Corner that much better.