Monday, April 16, 2012

Why the name 'Artemis' for an English school in Japan?


Once in a while (Sometimes) somebody asks us why we chose the name 'Artemis' for Eikaiwa Artemis, our unique English teacher - student matching system here in Osaka, Japan. I will try to explain a little.

First and foremost, I'm a mythology geek (shinwa no otaku desu)!

Shinwa = Myth(s); Legends. Mythology = Shinwagaku
Otaku = geek, nerd.

I've loved and studied mythology all my life.
The gods and goddesses, heroes and monsters of Greek and Roman mythology have been a source of inspiration (hirameki) for me since childhood. And Artemis (Artemis is Her Greek name; the Romans called Her Diana) has always been a personal favorite. She is a moon goddess and the goddess of  all living things. She is also both protector and hunter of wild animals.

Classical Mythology is.....well, CLASSIC! Artemis is a classic name from our Ancient Western Heritage.
The Greek and Roman civilizations (civilization = bunmei) are primary foundations (kiso) of Western civilization.
Today we use words in English that have their origin (kigen, hajimari = beginning, source) in Greek and Roman mythology like 'cereal' (from the goddess Ceres), the 'Olympics', and 'muse' (amuse, amusement, amusement park!), not to mention the many planets (wakusei) and stars and the signs of the zodiac (kodotai, junikyu). All this and much more in our language come from mythology!

Another reason for choosing the name Artemis is that she is the keen-eyed Goddess of the Hunt (kari no megami). She is The Huntress (ryoshi). As an expert archer (ite) she carries a bow (yumi) and arrows (ya).
Hunt = kari, hunting game; kari o suru.
In English, "to hunt" can also mean: sagashi, search, sagasu, search for.
To hunt, search or look for something; like an Easter egg hunt, or to go deer hunting.

Artemis is also unmarried and fiercely independent. She has a wild side!

These characteristics (tokucho-teki) are a symbol (shocho) of our student's individual (koji-no), and independent (dokuritsu shiteiru) search for English study to suit or accommodate (tekio saseru) their personal needs or reasons.


The uniquely personalized teacher - student matching system of Eikaiwa Artemis allows students the freedom to meet an English  teacher for one-on-one English lessons at times that are convenient for them.

Eikaiwa Artemis Teachers and students can take aim (nerau)

aim: mokuteki (purpose)
        mato (goal)
        nerau (point)
        mezasu (intend)

...and focus (shoten) upon the individual student's needs...  much like The Huntress Artemis takes aim with Her bow and arrow to hit her target, her personal goals.


The English student must make a personal commitment to set goals and, having spotted their target....


the student readys, aims, fires!

Some students need English for international travel, some study more advanced grammar and vocabulary related to their jobs and careers. Most students welcome and enjoy the one-on-one conversational English practice. Together, the teacher and student can set goals, but a lot of foreign language study is up to the individual student's commitment (sekinin = responsibility, kenshin = devotion) to practice and study on their own to reach their target. The student must hunt, must pursue (chase = oikakeru; tsuzukeru = carry on; tsuikyu suru = search for, commit oneself to, the study of English.

Eikaiwa Artemis Toyonaka tries to facilitate (yoi ni suru) this growing individual need for private English practice by matching students to teachers based on individual requirements. We hope that we make successful matches between English language teachers and students which will foster and nurture (sodateru) our student's growing English language ability through lessons, chat-time events, and sometimes taking field trips together. It makes us proud and happy to see students commit to improving their English skills. This is the more domestic (katei no) or motherly side of Artemis, as Mother of All Living Things....

Saturday, April 14, 2012

Gloomy Sunday



"Death is not extinguishing the light; it is putting out the lamp because the dawn has come."
                           - Rabindranath Tagore



 Our sweet little Meow-Meow has passed away..... such sad news.
She had health problems so it is amazing she lived as long as she did, about 6 years. She came with me from Florida when we moved to Japan 3 years ago. She was such a good kitty during the long trip. We will miss her and her lovely absinthe-green eyes and her tortoise shell fur, but; we believe she will return to us when she gets a new, healthier body.
Here I'll post videos and lyrics to the saddest song ever.... 'Gloomy Sunday'.
Although we feel that Meow-Meow's spirit is now free from the bonds of earthly suffering (kurushimi), and her passing carries some relief (keigen = relief from pain; anshin = relief from anxiety); but, we will still mourn (itamu) and lament (kanashima). Mourning (mo) is an important part of dealing with, and acceptance of, loss.

I think music, and song lyrics are a fantastic and interesting way for ESL students to study English.
Listening, reading and pronunciation are all highlighted this way. In this case we also get to listen to two American female vocalists interpret the same song in two different ways!


"Life is about dealing with loss."
                                - Mia Farrow
'Gloomy Sunday' is a well-known song of deep sadness in the West that is rarely heard or performed publicly because it is so "gloomy"; and some people fear it's rumored reputation  for encouraging suicide (jisatsu). Please note that I do not encourage suicide, but rather a necessary period of grief (kanashimi) and catharsis (katarushisu).

Gloomy = usugurai (dark); yu'utsu (na) (depressed); kanashii (sad); undadareteiru (dejected).

First I will put the version by Diamanda Galas because she gives a brief introduction to the song before she sings/plays it, and I'll transcribe (write) her words & lyrics down for English students.
I admit that Diamanda Galas's singing style is an acquired taste... that is, her music is not for everybody.
She is dark, dramatic and often purposely discordant... to amazing effect!

Diamanda Galas (Intro):
"This next song was sung by Billie Holiday, called 'Gloomy Sunday'.
Um, when she first recorded it on the radio, there was a, uh, protest from the record company because it was, um, it was too pessimistic and depressing. Therefore, they had her change the ending to make it more optimistic and hopeful. And at that moment was born the first pop music. I don't do it that way of course."

(Lyrics):
Sadly, one Sunday, I waited and waited
With flowers in my arms for the dream I had created
I waited 'til dreams, like my heart, were all broken
The flowers were all dead and the words were unspoken
The grief that I knew was beyond all consoling
The beat of my heart was a bell that was tolling
Saddest of Sunday(s)

Then came a Sunday when you came to find me
They brought me to church and I left you behind me
My eyes could not see one I wanted to love me
The earth and the flowers were forever above me
The bell tolled for me and the wind whispered 'Never'
But you I have loved and I'll love you forever
Blessed of all Sunday(s)

And now.... 'Gloomy Sunday' by Miss Lady Day (a.k.a.) Billie Holiday, with lyrics.
Did you notice how it was changed in the last verse to make it all sound like a dream???
The original version does not contain the verse that begins: "Dreaming, I was only dreaming....."

One final quote from a book I'm reading now:

"People are not the only things that go through cycles and end with death; there are situations, relationships, eras of your life, even the seasons of the earth and the stars and the wheel of the great year go through cycles of life and death. At some point everything comes to an end, which is good; life and death have the same maker and come from and through each other. Even though death ends a cycle, the circle continues on."
                                                                 - Marie White
                                             'The Mary-El Tarot,  Landscapes of the Abyss'

Monday, April 2, 2012

Weird & Amusing Japanese Signs

Left: Sign in Nara about the rather tame yet wild deer that roam the park.
"The deer of Nara Park are wild animals. They can occasionally attack people. so please be careful."

Bite
Kick
Butt
Knock - down

I've been personally molested by deer* on numerous visits to Nara.
*recommended






Right:  Sign in vinyl sheet protector
taped to column on underground subway platform.

Beware of drunk salaryman
OR
Drunk salaryman beware of oncoming subway train!

Translation:
"Danger! After drinking many people fall off the platform on to the tracks. Please Beware !

One upsetting result of relying on public transportation is the very rare but occasional prolonged delay of the usually hyper-timely
Japanese trains due to "human accident".
No wonder I never see children playing in this park near our  home!
"Perverts exist! Please be careful!"
.
Beware of bamboo shoot thieves!
This shady character is wearing dark glasses and sports some stubble and an armful of ill-gotten bamboo shoots.
This sign is in the bamboo grove behind our apartment building.
Living in Japan definitely has many advantages:

Unparalleled customer service.

No tipping (staff are usually paid a relatively low, but fair, working wage for service jobs, perhaps starting in the range of US $8 - $10 per hr.).

Kids can walk or ride buses or trains to school alone without threat of fear.

No guns.

Low crime.

If you live in the city you don't need a car or the accompanying expenses.

Reasonable healthcare (even if I was unemployed I would be totally covered for 500Yen a month (about $5).

If you are having a baby, our city in Osaka pays you 420,000Yen (about $4,500.00)!

When Mia goes to hospital for delivery* in October she will stay for 5 days, receive a treatment from an esthetician, and dine on healthy 5 star French cuisine (another birthing clinic we checked out offers a limo ride to & from the clinic!).
*Our total fee from this birth will be about (estimated) US $5,000.00, which that money from the city will reduce to about $500. Also includes mother's training & exercise classes!

I can make a decent living teaching English privately.

The Yen is high now (great for when I went shopping in Florida last Xmas - New Years season;
...not so great if you want to visit here from abroad).

BUT, one more remarkable phenomena I wish to share with you about fairy tale Japan is it's signage!
Perhaps no where else in the world will you see such a profuse display of municipal and government spending on signs that warn against, encourage, and alert you to all sorts of behavior and phenomena.

(By the way.... Buses, escalators, subways, and public buildings (like libraries!) also stream a constant barrage of audio warnings, announcements & notices ad nauseam.)

So, here are some of my personal faves from around our lovely neighborhood of Toyonaka in Osaka.


Chikan Chui! Beware of Perverts!

Children's play park in Sakarazuka

Hmm, Haiku posted on a park fence. But this is not classic poetry...

Translation: "No excuse for 'I just wanted to try shoplifting one time'".

"Politeness bridges heart to heart contact"


On Left: "Can you clearly express your thoughts?"
On Right: the shoplifting message... AGAIN!

BEWARE! Don't accept rides from strangers!

A fresh, new "Beware of Perverts" sign... AGAIN! A little further from the first.
This may not be such a bad idea as Mia remembers a flasher standing outside her elementary school
at recess time. She says some kids were shocked but most pointed and laughed.

"Hey Bully! Your heart is crying!" (?!)

Self explanatory I think.

Don't litter!

In front of a shrine: Warning to drivers and kids about suddenly running into the street. 

ENGLISH! On the side of a 100Yen ($1) drink vending machine