Get Hiroshima Blog

Harry Potter, Yuji Oda in Italy and Pokemon

2009-07-17T09:10:00.000+09:00

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2009)

Read reviews at Rotten Tomatoes

Playing at 109 Cinemas, Wald 11, TOHO Midorii, Warner Mycal and Scalaza from July 15
(At Scalaza until 8/7 at10:00, 12:55, 15:50, 18:45 daily plus a 21:35 showing on July 18 only)
Amalfi: Megami no Hoshuu (2009)

Yuji Oda stars in a thriller filmed entirely on location in Italy.

Playing at Wald 11, TOHO Midorii and Takarazuka from July 18

Pokemon: Chokoku no jikuu e (2009)

www.pokemon-movie.jp/

Playing at Wald 11, TOHO Midorii from July 18

Futaba pulls tickets sales for Hiroshima Day right wing lecture

2009-07-16T21:50:00.001+09:00

According to the Chugoku Shinbun last week the region's largest bookstore Futaba Tosho has suspended ticket sales for an event to be held on August 6th, at which outspoken former chief of staff of Japan's Air Self Defense Force, Toshio Tamogami, plans to speak. The diminutive Tamogami was removed from his post in November 2008 over a contraversial essay [pdf] in which he took issue with the description of Japan as an "aggressor nation" in World war II, criticized the war crimes trials after the war, and asserted that the Greater East Asia War is viewed in a positive way by many Asian countries.

According to event publicity Tamogami will address questions such as, Why armed forces necesssary for the protection of Japan? What needs to be done to avaoid war? How can we preserve peace in Asia in a period of increased tension in East Asia? He pomises to break post war taboos and propose a new road to peace. Futaba Tosho decided that the breaking of such taboos on "Hiroshima Day" is offensive to the people of the first A-bomed city.

Branches of the book store which also sell event and concert tickets took down posters for the Tamogami event, which is organised by the Hiroshima branch of the "Nippon Kaigi" which brands itself as a new patriotic citizen's network, and suspended ticket sales on July 6. A spokesperson for Futaba is quoted as saying that, "We decided that it is not appropriate for a Hiroshima company to promote such an event". When asked, the if the company had received any protests calling for an end to ticket sales, the representative said, "I cannot answer that".

Hiroshima mayor, Tadoyoshi Akiba, had already requested that Nippon Kaigi change the date of the event, and Hiroshima's seven hibakusha groups are to send protests to the group. Nippon Kaigi said they are unable to comment at the present time, but that tickets are almost sold out and they plan to go ahead with the event as planned.

While the timing may be make many in Hiroshima feel uncomfortable, August 6 is certainly a day on which we should not only mourn the dead, but also think about the future. Tamogami's message has great appeal, especially among young people whose political conciousness, it is said, is being highly influenced by right wing pundits such as Kobayashi Yoshinori through his hugely publications such as Senousron (On War). The left may do well to engage in the debate or else risk losing the hearts and minds of generations for whom the cry of "No More Hiroshimas" may be losing it's force.

For more on Tamogami, his essay and his contacts please take a look at this impressively researched post by Roy Berman at Mutant Frog Travelogue.

All translations, including any errors, are my own. If you take issue with any of my transaltions or interpretation of any of the Japanese source material please take the time to let me know. Thanks. Below I have pasted the original Japanese news article as these links seem to expire quite quickly.

８・６講演の入場券販売中止

８月６日に広島市内で計画されている田母神俊雄・前航空幕僚長の講演について、中国地方最大手書店のフタバ図書（広島市西区）がチケット販売を中止したことが10日、分かった。同社は、田母神氏が核武装論者であることを挙げ「原爆の日に講演することを快く思わない市民感情に配慮した」としている。

コンサートや講演会の発券業務を扱うＭＥＧＡ祇園中筋店（安佐南区）と、ＧＩＧＡ広島駅前店（南区）の２店。店内に掲示していた講演ポスターを６日にはずし、チケット販売も中止した。

同社総合管理本部は「広島の会社としてふさわしくないと考えて判断した」と説明。販売中止を求める抗議や要望があったかどうかは「答えられない」と明らかにしていない。

講演をめぐっては、主催する日本会議広島に対し、広島市の秋葉忠利市長が開催日変更を要請。広島の被爆者７団体も抗議文を送る方針を決めている。

日本会議広島の事務局は「現時点でコメントできない。チケットはほぼ完売しており、予定通り８月６日に開く」としている。

In Defense of Wrestling or That Fake Sh*t or It Takes a Village

2009-07-14T23:29:00.005+09:00

This a guest post by Ashley Souther aka Sausaa of the Dove Pro Wrestling Crew.

Photo © Malachi

As a wrestler here in Hiroshima, I often find myself in the position of defending wrestling. And it’s a hard sell.

Why?

Because most American pro-wrestling fans never leave America; probably never leave their state. That is probably also true of many other countries where many of us ex-patriots originate.

But to the doubters I say this, of wrestling much to learn you still have.

As an educated person, you should be able to appreciate the phenomenon of catharsis that occurs in wrestling when the fans really get into it. The physical struggle in the ring becomes the embodiment and outlet of every single member of the audience's own struggles in daily life. When you throw someone through a table, or jump on someone from great height, you can veritably feel release of stress from the audience. They are with you - they are you. In a way, I take the plunge for them, and the thrill I feel, the complete abandonment of societal rules and norms, the return to something more ... visceral, they all share in that, too. In pro-wrestling the fans don't just watch, they are participants. They feel the pain, frustration, outrage, and adulation - all by proxy - and their energy drives us to a greater and greater pitch.

People who don't know, mock wrestling. "Oh, that fake sh*t?" They see it at best as retrograde and anachronistic, at worst as moronic and uncivilized. However it is exactly the type of relief of aggression and symbolic violence that allows us to be civilized, to harmlessly bleed off our naturally occurring abrasion at being stuffed into cubicles, into stifling social hierarchies.

And this is just the least of what wrestling can achieve. In Mexico, wrestling has been the catalyst for social movements for tenants rights, the poor, and the environment (see Super Barrio). The mask of the Luchadore is a symbol of solidarity and struggle.

Yes, wrestling is not always used for such laudable goals, and if you are American, you can be forgiven for knowing it as nothing more than the province of racist stereotypes and misogynistic melodrama. But American wrestling is perhaps the worst example; the whole genre is not like that. And there are even some good American wrestlers: Sputnik Monroe, a white wrestler, refused to wrestle in the segregation-era South unless black fans were allowed to sit anywhere in the arena (not just the 'colored' sections, way in the back). And that is where the simple binary way of thinking of wrestling as "real" or "fake" falls short - it is not just boxing or MMA, it is social commentary. It is a venue for a story to be told physically.

So, there is more to wrestling than many think. But you don't have to know the history - all you have to do is show up and take part - root for the good guy, give the bad guy hell, or vice versa! It’s an ancient thing that we humans do, have always done, since the days of Greek Drama or the Roman Coliseum. It’s a part of our civilization. It’s powerful, and it can be used for good or bad - and as the audience you are the most important actors in terms of determining which story lines or characters succeed and which don't. I started wrestling in Palestine, in a refugee camp, with the children of Jenin. I have a lot that I want to do with wrestling, but I can’t do it alone. It takes a village. And that is real. It couldn't be any more real.

Ashley Souther
ashley.souther@gmail.com

You can see Ashley in action along with the rest of the Dove Pro Wrestling crew at the Sangyo Kaikan on Sunday, July 19. Click here for more details.

New Reviews - Happy Tanabata (7-7)

2009-07-07T13:45:00.000+09:00

Warung Matahari
"can't believe I haven't been in so long"
WC - Sat Jul 2009
Haven't been in ages and wondered why whilst I ate. Great food. Felt I had to review it again to point out that they now have a very good Enlgish menu with pictures too. As I said before; Go.

Namaste Indian
"Love it!"
Jax - Sun Jul 2009
We are fast becoming regulars there. My 6 year old regularly requests to go there for the kids curry set. Good value for money as well as delicious!

Caffe Ponte
"Fantastic!"
Jax - Sun Jul 2009
The food here has a home-made feel to it, and is full of fresh organic vegetables, produced locally in Sera. The friendly staff are always happy to accommodate requests for changes to the menu due to allergies, etc, and this place is high on our family list for breakfast, lunch or dinner.

Journey of A Spirited Strider: Intending Peace in Hiroshima

2009-07-01T23:21:00.000+09:00

Journey of A Spirited Strider: Intending Peace in Hiroshima

A really well-written blog about visiting Hiroshima for the first time. It can help us long-term residents enjoy seeing the city from a fresh perspective.

New Places Reviewed

2009-06-30T14:35:00.000+09:00

Bombay
"Fantastic food"
Izumi - Thu Jun 2009
The food at Bombay really makes me feel like a better, healthier person after I have eaten it. I have been going to Bombay for 6 months and it's the best healthy food i have found in Hiroshima. Fantastic food as always - from the first bite you know you're not in an average restaurant "I always enjoy my Bombay experience - the staff is friendly and helpful, the food is delicious and always served promptly and it has a great atmosphere! "... It always makes me feel welcome to come back again

Radha Vilas
"South India in Hiroshima"
Padmahari (padmaharij@gmail.com) - Tue Jun 2009
Radhavilas,a prototype of a south Indian restaurant in hiroshima.It is a place where you get a trendy food with warmth.When I say trendy,I mean that the food is of south india but the way it is prepared is very unique.As a result,it meets the standards of a healthy,tasty and quality dish.I love this place for its delicious dosas.That said,there are a plenty of other dishes that are mouth-watering and delicious.Before signing off I would like to conclude by saying that someone who wants to taste south-indian dishes(authentic)must give it a try!

Molly Malones
"As we Irish would say :"
Greg - Fri Jun 2009
Have been in many Irish Bars around the World, but have to say as a proud ex-pat (from Dublin), now living in Hiroshima, that this is the BEST IRISH BAR I`ve been in. The authenticity is so real, which has been added to by the recent inroduction of AFTERNOON TEA. Enjoy the sports-events there and KIYO, MARK and all the staff are very hospitable and welcoming to all. We Irish know how to have a good time. If you want to do likewise then this is the place.

Places updated on the homepage:

Hiroshima Beach Cleanliness Results In

2009-06-22T08:00:00.003+09:00

Sunset Beach Setoda gets top grade for cleanliness this year

All 17 of Hiroshima prefecture's main swimming beaches got the environmental agency's seal of approval on Thursday. Getting a top rating of "AA" on the 5 step scale were Ｓｅｔｏｄａ　Ｓｕｎｓｅｔ　Ｂｅａｃｈ in the Seto Naikai and Kenminohama in Kure. A bit worrying, however, is that Tsutsumigaura on Miyajima, Bayside Beach Saka and Karugahama in Kure dropped from last year's "AA" ranking to "B".

Water quality was surveyed during May. The surveys measure COD, Fecal Coliform Bacteria Count, water clarity, oil pollution and presence of E coli 0157. The Chugoku Shinbun report caharcteristically gives scant details, but the results of last year's survey can be seen here so I expect the full results for this year should trun up here at some point.

The good news is that none of the beaches got "C" or the lowest 不適 or "Gross" grades.

The Reader, Transformers and Japanese alpine adventure at the cinema this weekend

2009-06-19T15:13:00.006+09:00

The Reader

Kate Winslet leads a strong cast in the role for which she won last year's Oscar for best female actor.
Wald 11, 109 Cinemas, TOHO Midorii, Warner MyCal

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen

Wald 11, 109 Cinemas, TOHO Midorii, Warner MyCal

Tsurugidake: Ten no Ki

Daisaku Kimura's adaptation of Jirô Nitta's novel of the same name in which a team of Meiji era explorers traverse the last known untraveled space on Japan’s maps: the peak of Mt. Tsurugidake in the Hida Mountains.
Wald 11, 109 Cinemas, TOHO Midorii, Warner MyCal, Toei

Terminator, The Wrestler, The Harimaya Bridge and Manatsu no Orion open June 13 at the cinema

2009-06-13T13:57:00.001+09:00

Terminator Salvation

Wald 11, TOHO Midorii, Scala-za (09:50/12:05/14:20/16:35/18:50 and 21:00 on 6/13 only), 109 Cinemas, Warner MyCal

The Wrestler

Salon Cinema June 13-26 10:00/12:30/16:55 (showing until July 3).

The Harimaya Bridge

Read Sophie Ivan Andersen's review here.

Wald 11

Manatsu no Orion (Last Operations Under the Orion)

Wald 11, TOHO Midorii, Warner MyCal

The Harimaya Bridge review by Sophie Ivan Andersen

2009-06-12T08:00:00.006+09:00

If you asked for my opinion in one sentence, I would say: If you like Japan, if you have ever been an ALT, if you've lived here as a foreigner, especially as a black person, or have wondered as a Japanese person what foreigners make of this place, The Harimaya Bridge is worth the watch.

But no-one wants a one-line review, so here is a bit more.

A young black American artist, Mickey Holder, goes to Kochi-ken, Shikoku as a JET. This causes his father, Daniel, much anger as Daniel's father died as a POW in a Japanese prison camp. The two become estranged. Mickey dies in a traffic accident. The loss causes Daniel to go to Japan in search of the one tangible thing Mickey has left behind - his art. On his journey he experiences culture shock, he encounters prejudice as a foreigner and a black one at that - and he is forced to face his own prejudices.

And so while the ostensible theme of the film (father-son estrangement) is a rather well-worn one, there are several underlying themes that aren't. This film puts things on the big screen I have not seen there before.

Especially resonant is the portrayal of the life of an ALT, specifically a JET. Scenes of Mickey in the classroom, his empty chair at the BOE, the majestic beauty and worn out ugliness of the Japanese countryside. Writer / director Aaron Woolfolk was himself a Kochi ALT once and he portrays it incredibly unsentimentally. It is real.

And then there is the racism. The very real racism and prejudice that exists in Japan, especially against non-white foreigners, and even within the country's nationals. The film stops just short of mentioning the word burakumin, as there is a sub-storyline about a Japanese woman being forbidden by her parents to marry another Japanese "because of some work his parents did." This can almost only mean the burakumin, the Japanese untouchables, whose ancestors worked as butchers, undertakers and other jobs involving dead animals and people. I wonder why it stops short of mentioning this (a demand from the Japanese side of production?)

There are other problematic stereotypes in this film, especially with the female characters. There is the "special education" girl who has some strange, unspecified mental illness or possibly some syndrome or maybe is just mentally retarded, who knows. There is the unfortunate gendering of Mickey's girlfriend to the traditional female place of the uchi, the inside - she retreats into the country and into her house after his death.

But this film gets so much right and especially the portrayal of black protagonists that are deep, and, pardon the pun, not black and white but rather a moral shade of good with bad, not to mention the ever-wonderful Danny Glover, is something that cinema sorely needs.

The film is beautifully shot. The lighting is harsh and realistic, but this makes the beauty of Kochi all the more real - it really looks this good, even in bright daylight, even with all that concrete.

The editing is interesting too. While it does become pretty obvious where the film is going some 20 minutes in, the beginning of the film features a bunch of interesting cuts and jumps in time that keep you guessing.

Further, this film has something rather revolutionary: double subtitles. The English is subtitled in Japanese and vice versa. This works surprisingly well and is indicative of a rather impressive ambition of appealing both to a Japanese and a non-Japanese audience. And the film reflects this with some interesting point-of-view work. An early scene follows Daniel and his Japanese hosts from Daniel's point of view, but then Daniel closes a door and we are stuck with the Japanese hosts and get to hear their thoughts - in Japanese.

This kind of thing rarely works. A recent example is Eastwood's The Changeling, where following not just the mother of a lost son, but also a child who was an accomplice to his possible murder took me out rather than into the film and the feelings of the protagonists rather.

However, in this film, it works. I found myself sympathising, at alternate times, with Mickey, Daniel, the Japanese hosts, and Mickey's girlfriend. Not sure how Woolfolk achieved this but he deserves huge credit for this, as do all the actors and whoever must have worked behind the scenes with this multi-lingual cast and script.

The film IS too long. At 120 minutes it could have easily lost 30. Having the writer direct the film has probably meant that some pretty appalling dialogue has been allowed to be kept in. Some of the exposition is particularly obvious. You know it's never good when one character calls the other by their family relationship. I mean, how many 35-year olds address their uncles as, "Uncle"? There is a lot of over-exposition and repetition in this film which could have easily been cut without losing the mood.

The ending too is rather predictable, even if it throws up a couple of surprises. It doesn't quite work in drawing the parallels it wants to between the prejudices Daniel suffers from and the ones he holds himself, and it all ties up a little too neatly.

Bottom line, The Harimaya Bridge is a human drama. I'd even say melodrama. This film IS manipulative. The writing, the directing, the acting and the music are all designed to make you react a certain way. But then, so are almost all films. The rare ones that aren't, like Gus Van Sant's Elephant, are rare for a reason. An audience needs some guidance, and without it is left restless and ill at ease. However, the best films, like Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind or A History of Violence, use the tools of cinema to manipulate you in the wrong direction. You hear happy music or you see a sunlit family scene and you think everything is A-OK. Later you learn that nothing could have been further from the truth.

The Harimaya Bridge is not that kind of film. In fact, most of the techniques employed are very conventional. But this works to help you accept the subtly subversive stuff: the themes and the story, the multiple points of view and the bilingual subtitles. It is a film that portrays the experience of being a stranger in Japan better than it portrays what Japanese life is like to Japanese people. As such, it might have more to offer to Japanese viewers who are interested in what living in Japan is like to a foreigner with no knowledge of the language. But it does also cover things not readily spoken about here, like racism and discrimination, and for this it's an important film.

However, even if you're a foreigner, there are so many moments of recognition in this film, not to mention reminders of what it's like when you first come here, that it is absolutely worth the watch. And if you have family and friends at home who "just don't understand" when you complain, now you know what to do: get them a copy of this.

The Harimaya Bridge is playing at Wald 11 with English and Japanese subtitles from June 13. Show time June 13-20 are 09:30, 11:55, 14:05, 16:45, 21:15. Late show at 23:25 on Sat June 13 only.

Sophie Ivan Andersen
June 2009

Latest GH Places Updated

2009-06-11T10:43:00.000+09:00

New Place Reviewed:

Radha Vilas in Ushita
The taste of Southern Indian food in the small town of Ushita (not far from the main station).

New GH user reviews:

Namaste- Indian and Nepalese dining in Danbara

"Spiceeeeee"
Yoshi - Fri Jun 2009
I used to try Indian food ,but Namaste food is spicey as compaired to other Indian resturant.

"real taste"
sara -
very cosy environment with the "real" taste from India !!

"feels like home"
Nabin -
I have known Megh-san for years now and have been going to his shop regularly. He is such a nice person to know that I feel like at home. If I have to tell you the truth, being a Nepali myself, I have enjoyed curry at this place so much that when I go back I will surely be missing it. I have tasted almost every single item from the menu already. It is like an adventure when you deviate a little from the regular curry-nan and try the other items from the menu and try to see which one matches your tongue. Wazawaza kedo, at times, I have asked him favor for cooking even Nepalese dishes that do not fit in the menu and he happily does them provided that I tell him well before hand. Last week only, I took a bunch of my friends at his place to introduce them my native dishes. He did it so well that I wish I can do it again. I am so frequent that if U go there, you may run across me :P

"electofying fantastic"
Mitshuo -
i love it and i like the dishes very well and i love to go there till it is open.I just wanna thank them for cheap healthy and hunger quenchingfood

"fantastic"
maki -
it is a nice resturant, the workers are fast and polite. The chief Meghnath is a good person. I love to sit there listening to various songs and rock and roll eating delicious food and watching at nepali article. _I Just ＬＯＶＥ it!

Kemby's
"Energetic"
Foofighter -
This is a great spot to drink the night away in a fun (perhaps loud) atmosphere with some expat friends. The alchy selection is huge, which I think many of these jaded reviewers have taken for granted. The food menu is equally big, and while there are probably some hit or misses (what restaurant doesn't?), where else are you going to find a rib steak sandwich on this side of Japan that doesn't require a military ID?

*** (review of the month)*** Itsuki
"absolutley gorgeous"
Stephen Morgan
we only had one night in Miyajima but if we had longer would have been at this cafe every night. totally boutique, beautifully minimalistic restfil interior, without doubt the best coffee of our travels in Japan and the service from the handsome friendly owner perfect. the cheescake is to die for and the garden setting totally zen. this is soul food desert for coffee and mind. attention to detail is perfect from the music selection (classical when we were there) to the decor and personal service. we even took a bag of his roasted beans back to Tokyo! check it out!

Goemon
"Fantastic!"
Anonymity Personified.Wed Jun 2009
Goemon branches don't usually have an English menu as far as I can tell but I speak Japanese so maybe they just haven't offered me one. Regardless, they are very good at communicating with non-Japanese regardless, bring your phrase book if you can, but even if you don't have it- they will work what you want out with pointing and gestures. If you are feeling adventurous say, "Okonomiyaki kudasai" and "Omakase shimasu" and they will give you their most popular version. The other customers are also usually in good spirits I find, so it is not a bad place to grab a well made okonomiyaki in a comfortable and friendly place. I like the one in the new Fukuya opposite the station, the line outside usually moves quickly even at the busiest of times.

Homepage reviews

Itsuki
Goemon
Family / Kid's Trips for summer
Aikido Club in Saijo
Sea Cake Style

Halo effect over Hiroshima yesterday

2009-06-08T08:53:00.000+09:00

The Chugoku Shinbun website has a nice picture of a sun halo effect [日暈現象・higasa genshou] over the A-bomb Dome that was observed by many people from the city center yesterday.

Of the phenomena Wikipedia says "formed by the refraction of sunlight through cloud suspended ice crystals as opposed to raindrops or other liquid water suspended in the air." You can see more halo pics from around the world on Flickr here.

Cinema round up June 6-12 and a bit more

2009-06-05T23:43:00.000+09:00

Don Brown of Ryuganji.net gave last week's pick Blood: The Last Vampire a drubbing in Hong Kong magazine BC. This weekend another product of East-West cinematic collaboration opens in Hiroshima and it looks like it will not fair much better. I Come with the Rain stars Josh Hartnett, Kimutaku of SMAP and Korean hearthrob Byung-hun Lee. It is playing at Salon Cinem all month (June 6-19 12:15/14:30/16:45/19:10 June 20-26 12:15/14:30/19:10 June 27-July 3 12:15/14:30/19:00). Also showing at 109 Cinemas at Al Park.

Also at Salon this week, the well received drama Rachel Getting Married (June 6-19 10:10/14:45/19:05 June 20-26 10:10), Pucchini's La Boheme (June 6-12 10:00), Milk (June 6-12 12:20) and Japanese comedy Tsumi toka batsu toka (June 6-12 16:55).

Slumdog Millionaire continues at Cinetwin Shintenchi (until June 12 at 11:00/13:30/16:00/19:00 and June 13-20 at 13:30 and 19:00).

The almost universally panned The Spirit is showing at Wald 11 and 109 Cinemas, the mandarin language biopic of Chinese opera great Mei Lanfang is opening at Wald 11 as is the Japanese Gama no abura.

Metal Artist Exhibition

2009-06-05T14:30:00.001+09:00

A bit too late to make it in the events section of GetHiroshima,

but if you are interested in metal art, please stop by the exhibit this weekend.

Haruko Yamasaki, is a metal artist that has been interviewed for GH.

See the interview by Lorna C. here.

Dekuno Gallery, Nishi ku, Tenma-machi 2-23

Here's a link to the Google map:Dekuno Gallery

Friday, June 5th, 11am-5pm,

Saturday, June 6th, 11am-7pm,

Sunday, June 7th, 11am-5pm

High Speed Tram Time Lapse Video

2009-06-02T09:00:00.000+09:00

Timecue has uploaded a great time lapse video to YouTube (embedding disabled) of Hiroshima's trams. Makes the city look pretty nice and quite dynamic! Don't forget to click the HD button to see it in all its high quality glory.

Via Danny Choo via sandkatt.

Get invigorated at Tōkasan by a giant inflatable lantern

2009-06-01T08:00:00.001+09:00

In these difficult economic times an event like the 3 day Tōkasan Yukata Festival (June 5-7) is just the kind of thing to divert peoples' minds and allow them to indulge in some good, cheap (if you can keep the kids away from the game stalls and by your beverages from the conbini), traditional fun.

The people behind the Yuakata de kinsai event which has been tacked onto the 380 year old temple festival are tireless in their desire to increase the delight the colorful yukata-clad crowds and they have unveiled their trump card for this year's event; a giant 5.9 meter tall lantern. The lantern, the design of which is based on the patterns sommon on womens' yukata is a whopping 1.5 times larger than the 4 now no so giant lanterns that have been used until now. These lanterns were limited to a of 4 meters to prevent them snagging the many electrical powerlines our city is blessed with. But how, I hear you ask can such an engineering feat be accomplished? Won't the city center be plunged into darkness when this Godzillian lantern is unleashed?

Fear not, for no expense has been spared in producing a giant inflatable lantern!

The Chugoku Shinbun quotes one of the festival organizing comittee members that they ordered the unique lighting feature from a local ad company in the hope that, "Hiroshima will be invigorated by the festival".

And so may it be!

Read more about the festival and get the latest details on what's happening where here. If you are out and about at the festival why not have your picture taken with Hiroshima's latest lighting feature, send it to us and we'll post them here.

New Star Trek or schoolgirl slashing vampires in a battle to save the earth?

2009-05-29T08:00:00.006+09:00

J.J. Abrams' Star Trek movie opens in Hiroshima tonight. It has been getting lots of buzz and there are a lot of people - especially around the Internet - raving about it, but it's the live-action remake of Blood: The Last Vampire (Japanese title Rasuto buraddo)that also opens tonight that I'd really like to check out.

A British adaptation of a Japanese anime (by Mamoru Oshii and Hiroyuki Kitakubo), produced by the people behind Hero and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon starring a Korean actress (Jeon Ji-hyun); you really can't get much more global than that!

Admittedly I am a sucker for schoolgirls slashing vampires with swords, but it looks pretty cool and, it has to be said, although she may lack the humor, Saya could probably kick Buffy's a$$.

Both Blood: The Last Vampire and Star Trek open Friday, May 29 at Wald 11, TOHO Midorii and 109 Cinemas.

Opening Saturday, May 30 are Confessions Of A Shopaholic (with an impressive 23% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and the Japanese films Rookies (live action adaptation of Masanori Morita baseball manga/trailer below)　and Oto na ri.

Black Rose Mansion [黒薔薇の館/Kuro bara no yakata]

2009-05-27T08:00:00.001+09:00

After last week's Black Lizard Salon Cinema continues its Showa Fukusaku Kinji season with 1969's Black Rose Mansion; described by one reviewer on the imdb as "Hammer meets Kabuki". It's 91 minutes long, costs only ¥800 and is showing daily at 17:25 May 30 - 5 June.

Pichside seats at Sanfrecce games come with lots of rules

2009-05-26T14:41:00.001+09:00

Since the beginning of this season, Sanfrecce Hiroshima have been offering pitch side seats [芝かぶりシート/shibakaburi-shiito] to fan club members. Due to their popularity the club has decided to open them up to the general public from its June 7 Yamazaki-Nabisco Cup game against Albirex Niigata. There are 30 seats available to the general public and as you have to apply "before the Wednesday that falls about 10 days before the game" (!) you'll have to apply by tomorrow, May 27, for the Niigata game.

The seats offer a great view and you have a great chance of getting on TV, but at ¥6000 for adults and ¥3000 for under 18s, they ain't cheap. Of course there are lots of special rules to make the experience far less pleasant than it should be:

No food or drink (though a water tank and paper cups will be provided)
No photography or taking video
No right to demand that your image be removed from any video or photographs of the game that might be used for promotional purposes
No high heels
No wearing the shirts of the visitor team or waving any placards or anything to support them
No leaving the game until it has finished
No babies or people in wheelchairs
No umbrellas, bring your own rain gear
No disobeying any instructions match officials may give you

You have to be able to get to the B6 entrance to Big Arch stadium at least one hour before kick off so you can be safely on your bench (from which you cannot leave until the game is over) in time to give the players a "high touch" as they come out onto the pitch.

If that hasn't sucked all the fun out of the idea you can apply by sending an email to shibakaburi@sanfrecce.co.jp with the date of the game and opponent, number of tickets (max group of 4), name, sex and ages of the applicants and the address (including postal code) of the person making the application. You can also send a postcard to 〒733-0036　広島県広島市西区観音新町4-10-2 広島西飛行場ターミナルビル１Ｆ, or fax 082-233-3251.

Lucky applicants will receive a notification that includes a reservation number which they should take one of the designated ticket outlets to pay for their ticket before the stipulated date.

You can find all these details and more, in Japanese, at the Sanfrecce website.

Photo: © Chugoku Shinbun

Our favorite place in Japan Hiroshima

2009-05-22T16:41:00.000+09:00

This is a republication of a photo essay by Rebecca Schmidt which first appeared on GetHiroshima.com in 2006 submitted to the May 2009 Japansoc.org Blog Matsuri hosted by The Nihon Sun on the theme of My Favorite Place in Japan. We've decided to give the theme a local twist and introduce our favorite place in Hiroshima. Ever since I arrived in Hiroshima, Mitaki Temple has occupied a special place in the hearts of many international residents. The place oozes atmosphere, an atmosphere that changes with the seasons, the weather, and, with one's own moods. It is also one place in which even post-Kyoto temple weary tourists are never disappointed.

So, without further ado, I leave you in the hands of Rebecca.

Mitaki-dera - 3 Waterfalls Temple

The first time I visited Mitaki-dera was many years ago, when I accompanied a friend to the temple in the west of Hiroshima city. As we got off the train at Mitaki Station and walked up the mountain past the cemeteries and tea houses, I had no idea what awaited me. I thought this was just another trip to just another local temple.

I was soon proven wrong. Mitaki is hardly an average temple. My first sight of the four bronze monk statues standing just behind the small pond stunned me, while the numerous jizos lining the paths charmed me. We continued hiking all the way up through the temple paths and up the mountain through the bamboo forests and to the top of Soko-yama. I thought it was one of the most beautiful and spiritual places I had ever been. As the years have passed, these sentiments have only grown deeper.

A refreshing refuge from the hectic city below any time of year, Mitaki becomes a breathtaking paradise in autumn.The paths wind under a glowing canopy of red and yellow. The crisp autumn sunlight shines through, illuminating the autumn hues and beautifully accenting the many statues. The collection of jizo, kannon, and other butsuzou statues in Mitaki are a visual treasure. Each one unique and in constant transition as people place their gifts at the base and replace their hats and clothing over the months and years. After years of frequent visits, I am still discovering new statues and never tire of seeing the same ones as their expressions change with the light and seasons. It is, however, in Autumn when they all seem to truly come alive.

Mitaki is unique in other ways. Many of the statues and artifacts have been brought in from other places around Japan as well as South East Asia. The famous pagoda was a gift from Wakayama after the war to solace the lost souls of Hiroshima. You won't find too many Ganesh statues in Japanese temples, but there is a small one here, at the base of the third waterfall as it flows from under the main temple. There are other South East Asian statues and artifacts at the top of the stairs, but even more unusual, is the stone Christian Cross on the upper path linking the pond to the bell. And just past the bell, one will find a memorial to all those who lost their lives not just during the atomic bomb blast, but also at the Auschwitz concentration camp in Poland during World War II. Close to there, there is a stone with a song about Mitaki engraved in it.

Wandering up the path under the canopy of momiji, you might be tempted to just look up. However, there is a lot below to entice you as well. On the right side of the path, you’ll find the juroku rakan or "16 statues of high ranking monks" hanging out on the side of the hill. Each one, posing a different position and expression, is certainly worth pausing to admire. As you wander up the pathway, you'll find the tea house and garden where the second fall flows down from the mountain. Only open a few times a year for tea ceremony, November is one of those times when you might get to go in if you time it right. Finally at the top of the hill is the main temple, a treasure all in itself. Surrounded by jizo and numerous older images of Buddah, butsuzou statues. The third waterfall is up the stairs behind the temple, just where you can partake of the fresh mountain stream water.

Finally, don't forget to get a peek of the great city viewscape of Hiroshima just a few minutes up the stairs before the main temple. Don’t be surprised to find people picnicking up there. Many more visual treasures await your discovery as you wander the pathways of Mitaki-dera and the mountain behind. Wake up and get there early for the best light and you could very well find yourself there for the whole day.

The following are a few of my own "visual treasures" I have had great joy in discovering through my many journeys up and around Mitaki.

GetHiroshima.com is currently undergoing an upgrade, but you access the original article in the Google cache here as well as a guide to hiking Soko-yama, the mountain behind Mitaki Temple, here.

Martin Creed Retrospective

2009-05-22T15:17:00.001+09:00

In something of a coup the Hiroshima Museum of Contemporary Art is thefirst gallery in Asia to host this traveling exhibition which surveys the work to date of Martin Creed, one of Britain's most provocative artists.

The 40 year old artist who gave up painting things in favor of making things is most (in)famous perhaps for inspiring cries from critics and public alike, "Art? I could do that!" with his Turner Prize winning Work No 160 (The Lights Going On And Off).

Among his many other works there are more than a few have caused consternation; Work No 88, a sheet of A4 paper crumpled into a ball, Work No 79, Some Blu-tack kneaded, rolled into a ball, and depressed against a wall< and films of people vomiting, having sex and defecating (not all at once though). My favorite is last year's Work No 850 which had runners hurtling along the halls of Tate Britain every 30 seconds (video below). Creed also makes music, or perhaps, art in musical form.

This exhibition includes past works and some commissioned especially for Hiroshima, and on May 29 the Hiroshima Philharmonic will perform Work No 955 at Koseinenkin Hall. You can read a review of this, Creed's first orchestral piece, performed by the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra last autumn here

Although quite exciting, I do find this kind of art quite befuddling. I do, however, enjoy the way Creed talks about what it is he does and his process. You can find a video of an interview with him here and a transcript of another on the coming exhibition here.

Links

MartinCreed.com
Martin Creed Wikipedia Entry
Description of the exhibition held last year in Birmingham, UK at Ikon Gallery.

Special Events

May 23 18:00-18:30

Work No 673 performed by the Nagisa Orchestra

Free of charge
May 24 14:00-15:30

Martin Creed talks about his work

No charge and no reservations, but limited to approx 100 people.
May 29 18:45

Hiroshima Philharmonic Orchestra perform Work No 955 at Kouseinenkin Hall

Click here for details. Pamphlet here.
June 27 14:00-15:30

Let's make stuff like Martin workshop

Ages 3 and up

Free of charge
June 7 & July 12 14:00-

Exhibition guide (in Japanese)

Admission
Adult: ¥1030 (¥820)
College Students: ¥770 (¥610)
Children: ¥510 (¥400)
Prices in () for advance tickets (Ticketopia P-code 688-628) and groups of 30+.
Open until 19:00 on Saturdays in July and August.
Closed Mondays except final day (July 20).

Black Lizard [黒蜥蜴/kurotokage]

2009-05-22T08:00:00.001+09:00

1968 movie adaptation of Edogawa Ranpo story, adapted for the screen by Mishima Yukio (who also plays a small part) and directed by Fukusaku Kinji playing at Salon Cinema May 23-May 29 daily at 16:50. There are NO English subtitles, but with a teaser like the one from sarudama.com below and a discount entry price of ¥800 should be worth a punt.

Japan's number one detective must match wits, winks and breathless philosophy with the notorious Black Lizard, the sultry, diabolical drag queen intent on stealing the humongous Star of Egypt while adding to her collection of human stuffed dolls!
Read the rest of this review at sarudama.com

Annual airing out of the list of A-bomb victims

2009-05-21T08:00:00.003+09:00

Yesterday was the annual airing out of the Atomic Bomb Victims list housed under the cenotaph in the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park.　Known as kaze tooshi [風通し] the 93 volumes containing the names of 258,310 listed A-bomb Victims are spread out in front of the cenotaph to be aired out before the onset of the rainy season. Starting at precisely 8:15 am, the time at which the bomb exploded on August 6 1945, 12 city officials began to lay out the books, turing each page to make sure that their condition had not deteriorated over the past year.

After being bathed in the spring sunshine, all except the most recent volume were returned to the cenotaph. Approximately 5300 more names, those of survivors who have passed away and vistims who have been newly identified since last August, will be added to the latest volume which will join the others at the memorial ceremony on August 6 this year.

Source Chugoku Shinbun

Black Stream Shoots Jellynose Fish Up The Bungo Channel

2009-05-20T14:29:00.000+09:00

Chugoku Shinbun reports that a shachiburi or Jellynose Fish that usually lives at depths of 150-500m has been caught off the coast of the island of Kurahashi. The 80cm translucent light purple specimen with a gelatinous head was snared last month from a depth of 50m by a 73 year old fisherman. Usually found in only southern Japanese waters and the East China Sea, it is only the 3rd time this species has been found in the Seto Inland Sea.

Experts say that the fish was likely brought to the Seto Inland Sea on the kurushio or Black Stream (which flows from east coast of Taiwan and flows northeastward past Japan) along the Bungo Channel.

This Is England at Yokogawa Cinema until May 22

2009-05-15T15:44:00.000+09:00

Here's one I missed in our May cinema round up, but luckily Yokogawa Cinema has extended its run. Shane Meadows's This Is England has picked up plenty of props and a 93% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. I can't wait for the '80s revival to peter out, as it brings back so many memories of just how horrible the country I grew up in was during the Thatcher years. By all accounts, Meadows does a great job of recreating the time, too a bloody good soundtrack too.

Playing at 16:40 and 18:40 tonight and at 14:40 and 16:40 May 16 - May 22 at Yokogawa Cinema.