WorldWideWebisphere: Sending Japanese Culture to Manchester

WorldWideWebisphere: Sending Japanese Culture to Manchester

Sending Japanese Culture to Manchester

Well, I recently finished constructing a Senbazeru! It is one of those "1000 paper crane" things that the Japanese make. Originally they where made by friends and family for a member who fell ill, or suffered an injury. However, since then, they have expanded somewhat to also be used as a symbol of good luck! 

Here are several that have been handed over to the local J-League football team, Albirex Niigata!

I decided to make my own for the Manchester Phoenix, seeing as how I could not be there in person to support the team! This Senbazeru can stand in for me! 

However, making 1000 paper cranes, or Tsuru, is not easy, so I drafted in the students at Geos! I bought the paper, then asked them to make up the cranes, and they all, as a group, rose wonderfully to the challenge! So to all my students, a really big thankyou! I really could not have done this without you! Well, I suppose I could, but it would have took me all year! At best!

Anyway. For those of you who would be interested in making one, you need to be able to make a Tsuru, or paper crane!

So, here we go!

1) Take a square piece of paper. Not rectangular, square.

2) Next, take one corner, and fold it across to the other corner, forming a triangle.

3) Halve the triangle again

4) Next, take one side of this triangle, and squash it down to make a square.

5) Flip over, and repeat!

6) Now, turn it so that the open side of the square is away from you. The closed end, where all the folds are, should be towards you. Now, fold in the corners to either side of the central fold towards the middle. 

Once finished, it should look a little like a kite, but upside-down.

7) Take the end of the triangle that is not folded, and bend it up and down to create a horizontal fold.

8) Now, unfold one side, and open it up.

9) What you do now, is tuck in the paper, so it is all folded inside itself.

10) Repeat for all 4 edges, so it now looks like a long lozenge.

11) Now, turn the paper so that the point that is split is away from you, keeping the 2 points that are joined towards you.Next, fold in the edges again to the centre, from the points that are away from you.

12) Repeat for all 4 sides, and its should now be a lot slimmer.

13) Next, open the folds so that the last set (11 and 12) are now inside.

14) Take the long, thin points and bend them up. These will make the tail, and the neck!

15) Reverse step 13, so that the neck and tail are trapped. Now, you can gently pull the wings down, and bend one of the points down, making the head!

This gives you a Tsuru! Well done!

Now, if you want to make a Tsuru for a Senbazeru, you need to modify the last step! Once you have finished Step 14, just twist one point down, dont fold down the wings.

 In order to make a Senbazeru, keeping the wings up allows you to slot one Tsuru on top of another, and the wings help trap themselves, giving a little stability. As well as taking up a lot less space! 

Once you are ready to make a Senbazeru, you need to get a long bit of string, and tie one end off with some kind of bead. Take the other end, threaded through a needle, and poke it through the small hole in the bottom of your paper crane. The needle should pass through the point in the back of the paper crane, between the wings. Do this on subsequent paper cranes, and you can push them together into a line. You can do this as many times as you like. Though be warned, a line of 20 will end up with a very short, but bulky Senbazeru, a line of 100 will give you a long, thin one, but much longer than you are tall! Mine ran to 50 per line.

Once you have all the lines ready, all you have to do is tie them together, and hey presto! A finished Senbazeru! A valuable experience, I think you will find!

The Right to Vote

Japan is heading, slowly, for a new round of domestic strife, potentially. This issue at the heart of it? Granting foreigners the right to vote! At the moment, the right to vote in Japan is restricted to Japanese only. That is those who where born in Japan, and those who have naturalised, and now have a Japanese passport. It is, however, rising as an issue. The previous government, led by the LDP, and backed by New Komeito party, regularly saw New Komeito introduce a bill to grant the right to vote to foreigners who have permanent residency in local elections. However, the bill usually foundered because their much larger partner did not offer the bill any support, and it usually just sank out of sight.

The two sides of the argument are getting themselves more and more entrenched. The conservative side of the argument is quite powerful. Many elder statesmen in the LDP, and within the governments own SDP object to granting foreigners the right to vote, insisting that to do so would be just the start of eroding Japanese culture, and allowing an external influence into Japanese life. Also, their argument is that if a foreigner wants to vote, they should take Japanese nationality. 

The LDP also said obtaining Japanese nationality should be made easier. It is, at the moment, difficult. There are many things we have to do to in order to jump through a lot of hoops to get a Japanese passport. So, in terms of official steps, its hard. Then there is also the problem of the case worker who handles your case. There is no right to appeal a decision, and they can decide to accept or reject you on a whim. They are also capable of just making up rules! Legally, you have to be in Japan for 5 consecutive years. I have heard of people being told to be here for 7, or 10 years. Also, whilst it is not necessary, another applicant was told that by not having a Japanese wife, it would be very hard to find a reason to grant citizenship! Also, if you are a naturalised Korean whose parents where brought over before the war, if you want Japanese nationality, you have to take a Japanese name!

Recently, Shizuka Kamei, of the Kokumin Shinto (Peoples New Party), as part of the governing coalition, said that if the government where to introduce a bill granting limited suffrage to foreigners, the coalition would collapse. He is opposed to the policy, again using the whole cultural argument, and that external influences can come to play. It would only be the thin edge of the wedge to allowing anyone to vote!

Thing is, his threat is not so powerful, as the SDP does not NEED its coalition in the Lower House, as they have enough seats to govern on their own. However, it is important to Hatoyama to maintain the coalition as they do not enjoy enough of a majority in the Upper House. 

We have also seen 14 out of 47 prefectures issue declarations in opposition to allowing foreigners the right to vote. Again, using the dilution of culture argument, and rather more lazily, saying it would involve too much paperwork!

What would the bill do? Well, grant those foreigners in Japan who have permanent residency status the right to vote in local municipal elections. Thats it. Not in national elections, just local. You know, in elections that directly impact in our lives. The largest community would be 

So, those against are lining up the usual protectionist arguments, what about those in support? Well, one argument is that it would put Japan on a more equal footing with many nations around the world. In Britain, for example, anyone within the EU who lives in Britain can vote locally, along with people from some of the Commonwealth nations. Also, the right ot vote in national elections is awarded quite quickly! 

Another argument is that with the collapse of the Japanese population (from 127 million to 90 million by 2050) there is a push to open the doors to allow people in to help balance the population. And with all these foreigners in Japan, we should be allowed the ability to take part in the local community.

Another argument for it is that since we have to pay tax, and contribute financially to the local economy, we should have the right to affect how our taxes are paid! 

Such a bill does have support of some very powerful people, such as Ichiro Ozawa, who is seen as the real power in the DPJ, despite Hatoyama being Prime Minister. He recently was in South Korea in agreed with the Korean President that such a law should come in.

So, both camps are lining up, the older, more experienced, powerful conservative elements are lining up against the younger, more open minded elements. Before, this fight would be a no-brainer, but there is a slow shift in Japan, with the younger people in Japan more and more in support of allowing limited suffrage, giving the reformers more clout in the argument.

For me? Well, of course, I think it should be granted. I live in Kashiwazaki. I work here. I have to pay city taxes, it would be nice to more fully take part in civic life. I do understand the argument that it should be the Japanese who have the right to vote, and that if a foreigner wants to vote, we should take citizenship. Unfortunately, given how tough it is to get Japanese nationality, I do not feel that it would be worth it at the moment. Should they allow me the right to vote, it would encourage me to be more active in civic life, and probably encourage me to take the next step and become Japanese.

Another idea would be to allow dual nationality. Many countries do, including Britain. Most foreigners are happy to come to Japan and live here, and dedicate their lives here. Unfortunately, to become Japanese, means having to give up your previous nationality. Which many are reluctant to do. I am. Should I decide to take this further, I would have to give up my British passport. And I dont want to do that. It is my history. I formed my upbringing. My sense of humour was influenced by my life in Britain. It is part of who I am. However, should I be allowed to keep my British passport, then its a whole new ballgame!

Still, its going to be an interesting fight, though one that is going to take a long to run through.

However, we have elections in the Upper House coming up this year, should the DPJ increase the number of seats, then they wont need their coalition. It could make this fight a lot more exciting!

Vancouver 2010

So, the Winter Olympics are over for another year, the circus can pack up, and move on! (Well, apart from the Paralympics!)

So. How was it?

Well, Vancouver promised much, but then had to battle through all sorts of problems in order to deliver. There had been many stories with regards financial irregularities, financial problems, and heavy burdens on the Vancouver taxpayer. One such issue was the athletes village in Vancouver. To be turned into apartments upon finishing, with the taxpayer having to pick up the tab to build them, and not surprisingly, they soared over budget!

However, plans where laid to lay on the best Winter Olympics ever.

Did they?

I will leave that to history. 

It has very much been a case of take the bad with the good. So, I will try to talk about each side, and give my own balanced view over all.

So.

Good 

The Venues

Some excellent choices for venues, the Ice Hockey arena "Canada Hockey Place" is modern, but already constructed for the Canucks, so the kinks have been worked out. The long track speed skating held at a wonderful new facility, and the curling was held in a magnificent venue, full to bursting almost all of the time! The Whistler sliding track was a technical track designed to give big speeds, and huge excitement for spectators!

Bad

The Venues!

Cypress mountain was criticised because it regularly suffered from lack of snow, and so it was again. They had snow saved up on higher mountains, and they where trucking snow in, but the unseasonably warm weather left the mountain kind of bald! Indeed, they had to refund well over a million dollars to spectators due to snow melt making viewing areas unsafe!

The sliding track proved too technical for some, and the high speeds proved dangerous, with the Georgian Luger Nodar Kumaritashvili flying out of the track, and dying after crashing into a pole! The luge runners all had to start from the women's start to bring the top speeds down for the lower corners. Also, one of the corners had to be modified for the bobsleigh, due to the large number of crashes. After Nodar's crash, corner 16 was enclosed, and the poles where wrapped in padding.

There where also problems within the venues, with the speed skate track suffering after the new battery powered ice machines from Olympia breaking. The 500m speed skating competition was delayed for an hour as they brought regular Zamboni made machines from Calgary!

Good

The Canadians

Well, the Canadians delivered a wonderful atmosphere for the games, with huge numbers turning up for all the venues, and all the events where well supported. Indeed, the support was so boisterous it ended up making the Danish skip for the ladies Curling team, cry.

Bad

The Canadian organising groups

It has been widely reported about Canada's "Own the podium" programme. Now, I have no problems with this in principle. Apart from the laughingly stupid name.This was an active programme to shove money into sports for the Vancouver Olympics, to a) get Canada's first gold medal on home soil. And b) to win more medals than anyone else. This is all fine. After all, Britain is undertaking something similar to drive more financing to athletics in time for the London Olympics. But we are doing it without a really daft name. 

The issue I have, was the attitude of the organising committee. They basically blocked people from practising at the venues, giving them the minimum amount of time, whilst the Canadian athletes racked up hundreds of hours, and thousands of runs. The average on the sliding run was about 30 for non-Canadian, and 300 for the Canadian sliders. 

This is the Olympics for flips sake! Its all about the best in the world! Competing for Olympic glory! I know the referees vow to be fair, and athletes vow to compete without drugs, do we need a promise for the city, too! That they promise to deliver the best sporting spectacle, with the best athletes in the world competing! Here's the thing. The best athletes in the WORLD!

Good

Sportsmanship

We have seen some wonderful fêtes of athleticism, with Shaun White of the USA dominating the half-pipe competition, and pulling out a new move he has called "The Tomahawk." Slovenian Petra Madjic slid off the cross country course, and crashed, breaking a rib and a collapsed lung. Despite all this, she got up, soldiered on, without painkillers. Not only that, but she went and claimed bronze. Slovenia's first Winter Olympics medal! 

In the ice dance, Japan's Moa Asada put in a hugely magnificent performance, only to be cast in the shadow by Korea's Kim Yu-Na. She obliterated the competition with a series of dance's full of poise and grace that delivered the highest points score in history. Also, Canada's Joannie Rochette won bronze. In spite of her mother passing away just before she was due to begin competing.

On a personal level, well done to Amy Williams! Snagging gold for Britain in the Skeleton! Our first singles gold for a long time! She obliterated the competition! This makes Britain the most successful country at Skeleton in the world! Winning a medal at every Olympics since Skeleton was introduced! Yay us!

An honourable mention goes to Marjan Kalhor, of Iran. Irans first female competitor in the Winter Olympics, competing in the downhill cometitions. She was hugely behind the leading pack, but did not let that get to her. Chops to her for keeping going! Along with Chirine Njiem from Lebanon, and athletes from India, Greece, Cyprus, and the Cayman Islands! Well done!

Also, at 45, congrats go to Kazuhiro Koshi of Japan. At 45, one of the oldest competitors at the games, and the oldest for Japan ever. Still fit and able to pound down the skeleton track. And he has one of the coolest helmets ever!

Bad

Bad sportsmanship and ill-judged activities

Whilst some athletes gave it their all and where so excited to just be competing at the games, there where others who wanted nothing more than just to moan and whinge and complain. For example, Apollo Ohno. A truly great short track speed-skater. Possibly the best ever. In the marquee event the 500 meters, Ohno found himself in last place, behind a couple of Canadians, and the skater from South Korea. In the final lap, he had to go for his "hail mary" play, and try to force his way in through the inside. Unfortunately, as he cut in, he pushed over the Korean, who then took out once of the Canadians. He had to try for it, no-one can fault him for trying.

Likewise no-one can fault the ref for throwing him out for pushing someone over. Rather than accept it gracefully, taking his other gold medals into the sunset, he decided to question the ref's honesty. 

The Canadian ladies Hockey team got caught drinking on the ice. Which is fine. Apart from several in the team being underage. Some in the team went on to complain of double standards. However, some of the girls where UNDER AGE! Double standards is irrelevant.

The Russian dancer Plushenko came out of retirement to go for the gold, and lost out to the American dancer,  Evan Lysacek. Rather than congratulating him, he steps on the gold medal step, and complains about the judging. You got silver! That is a good thing. You have Sochi coming up, in your home country. Just go for that!

Also, some of the officiating leaves a lot to be desired. For example, the Australian referee, Justin Hewish threw out British short track skater Sarah Lindsay after several starts where she was not backing down from the Canadian skater, and both falling over. Pretty much everyone says it was the wrong decision. Should have let the 2 skaters get on with it. Later, he threw out the Korean team in the ladies team pursuit. A decision that earned him death threats. Unlike some skaters, Sarah took her DQ with good grace as "one of those things."

The US team complained about Amy Williams helmet in the Skeleton. Only for the IOC to tell them to naff off. The helmet had been checked, and declared legal. Then, after her winning run (slide?), the Canadian team filed a complaint. The same one as the US! Hang on, how could Amy alter her helmet in between runs? And why should she? If she was winning with a helmet declared legal after initial inspections, then again when the US complained, why should she modify it, only to get thrown out, when she was so close to the gold!? Has to be one of the dumbest complaints ever! However, points to Germany's Anja Huber who stuck up for her!

Good

Spectacle of the whole thing!

Canada won the Hockey gold medals. Well done! The whole nation goes bananas, and puts hockey on prime time TV around the world! And the games really where something special! Canada taking on the USA in a clash everyone wanted to see, and it delivered. Speed, aggression, finesse, and overtime!

The opening and closing ceremonies delivered where Beijing failed. Beijing offered up truly amazing spectacles. Which where hugely ponderous, slow, and boring! Vancouver managed to bounce along, full of energy, and speed. The opening ceremony delivered a wonderful spectacle with moving statues, inflatable polar bears, the northern lights... 

And at the closing ceremony, they managed to poke fun at themselves with a clown "fixing" the final ice shard that failed to rise for the lighting of the cauldron during the opening ceremony.

The enthusiasm of the Canadians was born out with the live events held all round Vancouver, and again, with the live TV's installed around the city. The city came to a standstill for the gold medal game for the Ice Hockey! A sea of red all over the place! Quite impressive!

Bad

Organisational teething issues

transportation was not brilliant at the start, with issues on the buses, and drivers getting lost. However, a minor mitigating fact. A lot of the drivers came from US based companies! Though VANOC did bring those companies in...

Also, the Olympic Flame was built outside, in public, to allow people to see it. Through a fence. From a long way away. Again, they did rectify it, but looks like something slipped through the net here...

Finally, personally...

Team GB.

My view.

Lots of missed opportunities. Yes, we won gold in the Ladies Skeleton. However, we have very competitive teams in the Bobsleigh, but all failed to deliver, including the reigning world champs in the Ladies 2 man Bob. In Curling, GB host the world champs in the mens who failed to make the semi's, and in the womens, the GB team was one of the top ranked teams. Again, silly mistakes cost them a place in the semi finals.

Great Britain has taken a step forwards on the winter sports scene. However, we have taken half a step back in some areas, with groups not stepping up when needed to. Still. We came close in more sports than ever before. Maybe we can loosen the purse strings for another push for Sochi 2014!

So, overall.

A big thumbs up! I know there are a lot of negatives, but none of them really is enough to sour these games! Well done to Vancouver! They had to compete with the weather, amongst a myriad of other challenges, and they met, and faced down each one! Delivering a wonderfully positive and exciting 2 weeks of winter sport! 

Though, there was that laughable "Own the Podium" thing...

British MP's expenses scandal rolls on!

And it shows very little signs of stopping just yet! It is slowing, but still moving quick enough to prevent moss from growing on it.

Now, I could detail everything that has gone on with regards the scandal, but to do so would leave me typing well into the night, and my fingers will be worn to a nubbin! Therefore, I will just give you the skeleton of the scandal, and then my opinion (which is far more important!).

The scandal broke when the Daily Telegraph newspaper in the UK managed to get its hands on MP's receipts after battling the House of Commons and the Speaker of the House for access to them under the Freedom of Information Act. It is worth noting that MP's and the Speaker fought very hard to keep them private, rather than acceding to the law that THEY wrote, and releasing them.

Essentially, the scandal broke and revealed how MP's had been claiming on expenses for a massive amount of stuff. There is the rumoured "John Lewis" list which allows MP's to claim for stuff up to the value of what they are charged in the department store chain, John Lewis. And it can be on anything. TV's computers, clothes, soap, toothbrushes, tennis rackets... Anything.

They could claim help on paying for a second home in London. On the face of it, that is not too bad. Many MP's live beyond a sensible commute to London, so they buy a house so they can have somewhere to stay whilst they are working at Parliament.

Problem is, they can claim on the mortgage. They can also "flip" their home, and claim assistance on the home that costs more. Even if that was your first home in whatever town it is. This means that even though they may pick up a cheap home in London, that is small, they can claim back assistance on the mortgages on their fist home, in the constituency they serve.

We have had endless stories about MP's claiming for renovations on their home, pond cleaning, even the re-modelling of a duck house! 

This all sounds rather bizarre, and it is. To make it worse, all this was mostly legal! 

Hang on, then why is it a scandal?

Simple. Many MP's did not breach the rules, because the rules where so vague and flexible that it was easy to duck them. 

THIS for me, is the scandal. 

Plenty of people have said that we should lay off MP's, who has not tried to fiddle an expense form, etc. Problem with these arguments is that whilst many people do pass things through expenses that maybe they should not, these expenses rules are set by another organisation, namely, your employer. There is a clear division. I as an employee cannot claim for stuff that the firm will not pay for. With MP's whilst they did not breach the rules, they where the ones to MAKE the rules in the first place. THIS is the scandal. If I could make the rules on expenses, I would be tempted to make the occasional loophole.

A lot of people have been saying we need to pay MP's more money, they need help, etc. I agree. MP's earn £65,000 a year. A good salary, but not enough to pay for 2 houses. I have no issue with paying an MP for expenses, but the rules have to be clear, unequivocal, and not set by the MP's themselves. If it was made totally independent, then fantastic.

There is the issue of tarring all MP's with the same brush. Unfortunately, this is going to happen. I am sure there are many MP's who run perfectly reasonable and sound lives, with expense claims that are perfectly valid. For these MP's by all means, claim away.

For the rest, stop ducking, pay up, and get a bit humble!

Sumo: Yokozuna retires!

For those of you who understand the sport of Sumo, then you know that the top rank in the sport is Yokozuna. And today, one of the two wrestlers at that rank, has announced his retirement at the age of 29, after 25 tournament wins, and a very chequered career!

Am am referring to the Yokozuna Asashoryu.

Asashoryu hails from Mongolia, and is really named Dolgorsurengiin Dagvadorj. He came to Japan first as an exchange student, and trained at a local Sumo stable. He comes from a family that has a long pedigree in wrestling, and it has shown. He also trained in Judo back in Mongolia.

He was recruited by the former Ozeki Asashio of the Wakamatsu stable (now Takasago) and made his début in 1999. Within a year he was climbing the ranks, and broke into the elite Sekitori ranks. In January 2001 he was up to the Makuuchi division, and then by 2003, he was awarded the title of Yokozuna. At pretty much the same time Takanohana retired. Takanohana was the Japanese-born Yokozuna.

He then moved on to win 23 more tournaments, tie that with the 2 he won at lower ranks, and he has 25. Putting him at 3rd on the all-time list. And in 2005, he became the first wrestler to win all 6 Honbasho (Sumo tournaments).

In 2006, he fell awkwardly off the dohyo (mound) , and was subsequently out of action for 2 months. In 2007, he lost a few rounds, including to an up-coming star, Hakuho. Another Mongolian. Very quickly after, Hakuho was promoted to Yokozuna.

In 2008, the wheels began to fall off the cart here. His performances where not up to the standards of before, and in July, after a lacklustre start, he pulled out of the tournament, citing elbow pain. The September tournament followed a similar pattern, with him pulling out of the competition with a medical certificate detailing elbow pain. Shortly after, he returned to Mongolia to recuperate, and did not enter the October competition stating he did not want to have to pull out. This did lead to a 2 tournament suspension from the Japan Sumo Association!

Upon his return in January 2009, Suo saw an increase in TV numbers and ticket sales as Asashoryu rolled on declaring himself "To be back!" He suffered a bruised chest, and damaged knee ligaments. Despite all this, he won more tournaments and climbed to 3rd on the all-time list.

His final tournament win came in January 2010. Despite a a 13-2 record, he had the wins to claim the January Tokyo tournament.

Asashoryu has had an amazing and storied career, however, he has been dogged by controversy along the way. He has been tied to a match-fixing scandal by the Shukan Gendai newspaper which claimed he was paying wrestlers about $10,000 a time to throw fights. Not surprisingly, Japan Sumo Association took the paper to court. And for the first time, a Yokozuna appeared to give evidence. The JSA won, and the court was ordered to the paper to pay well over 40 million yen in damages.

Back in 2007, with his injuries, he returned to Mongolia. However, whilst in Mongolia, he was videoed as he played in a charity football match. This proved too much for the JSA as he was supposed to be recuperating from injuries that should have prevented him from playing. He was ordered back to Japan, and told to go through his rehabilitation by limiting himself to his home, the stable, and the hospital. This punishment proved tough for Asashoryu, and he was then diagnosed with an acute stress disorder. After some more treatment, and a lot of time in an onsen, he came back, and apologised in public.

Back in 2003, he committed one of the major no-no's in Sumo. He pulled another wrestlers "mage" or top-knot. This resulted in the first ever disqualification of a Yokozuna. To make things worse, he reportedly then brawled with the other wrestler in the bath after.

In 2004, he had a row with his stablemaster over the plans for his wedding. The end result was a public display of drunkenness. This may not sound a lot, but Japan has a lot of social rules, and these are especially tight for Sumo, and then even more so for Yokozuna.

Another few issues for him have been wearing a suit (remember those strict rules? They have to wear traditional clothing, not suits!) Sumo wrestlers are also expected to take Japanese citizenship, something he refused to do. Also, he has challenged the referees, as well as not showing due deference to his stablemaster.

Many of his stable-mates also refuse to train with him after he ended up injuring Toyonoshima during an intense training bout.

He has also been criticised for his in-ring performances as well. Shoving opponents out of the ring after he has won the match, as well as celebrating. Rather than remaining calm in victory, he has been punching the air.

Another issue has been his training regime. He has become famous for training hard, when he wants to. And for pursuing contracts outside Sumo, where he ended up taking a contract with Fanta, and performed as a "schoolboy" in a series of commercials.

The final moment came when, during the January 2010 basho, he went out with his manager and got very drunk. It was initially reported that he got so drunk he punched his manager. It later turned out that Asashoryu punched a restaurant employee and broke his nose. There where no charges, and everything got settled. However, Asashoryu did ultimately decide to retire and try to calm things down by "falling on his sword."

So, Asashoryu. The bad-boy of Sumo. Causing endless headaches for the JSA. His out of the ring activities flew in the face of all current Sumo traditions. However, rather than allowing the JSA the opportunity to quietly shuffle him away, the man had the skills to take him to the top. It drove the JSA crazy, as well as the fans. A man loved and hated in equal measure.