2 8 20 20 25 407
Which is More Important, the Economy or Human Rights?
J-CLUE
9 September 2020
Our Super Japanese Lessons Our Super Japanese Lessons


J
September Issue Contents 9

3
Prices for products generally do not include sales tax.









“Laguna Cosplay Festival 2020” will be held from 10:00 am, September 12 to 6:00 am, September 13, at Lagunasia, a theme park in Gamagori City, Aichi Prefecture. This is an all-night cosplay event that is now in its sixth year. This year’s event has been designed to be safe and enjoyable even in the face of the Covid-19 crisis. The event will also be held on Twitter and you will be able to participate using the hashtag # . The event is divided into day- time, evening and full participation sessions, and costs between 2,400 and 4,300 yen.
2020 9 12
10
13


6

corona
virus





Topics & Events 3-5 Japan Products

6
Multi-Level Text : News Review 9 New Expressions & Buzzwords






24

















40


all-night
cosplay
event
AWhile abnormal weather conditions continue, there was a lot of damage caused by heavy rain in July this year in the Kyushu area.
Each time there is a natural disaster, those affected have to live in evacuation centers, such as sports halls. When these situations go on, economy class syndrome becomes a worry. This affects the circulation of blood and is caused by remaining in the same position for a long time without enough water. In the worst case sce- nario, the person affected can die.



















Now, a bed made from cardboard is attracting atten- tion. It not only prevents economy class syndrome, but also has other merits, too. Because it preserves a distance between the floor and the user, they are less likely to feel footsteps, vibrations or the coldness of the floor so easily. If you put up boards around the bed, it’s possible to maintain privacy.



privacy

It’s easy to store and, since it is light, convenient to carry around. At the same time, it is strong enough to support an adult lying on it. You can assemble it with- out tools in four or five minutes. After usage, it can be discarded as burnable waste.





4 5

Little by lit- tle, more local g o v e r n m e n t s a r e b u y i n g these cardboard b e d s . A l s o , m o r e p e o p l e are interested in partitions that are necessary for when the occupant needs privacy for changing clothes, etc.







bed









Can Dams Prevent a Major Flood?
1. The rainy season in Japan lasts between June and July. This year, it rained heavily almost every day and the sun didn’t shine for a long time in many parts of Japan.
4. In the middle of all this, a controversy arose over the pros and cons of flood control dams.
3. In the past volunteers were expected to help out in the affected areas. However, due to Covid-19, it became difficult to move around to clear up flood debris this time.
2. This caused large-scale flooding in many places, most especially in Kyushu, and resulted in extensive damage.




Current Topics
5. Believing that dams are both damaging to the environment and unnecessary large-scale con- structions, many have been suspended or post- poned due to opposition from residents and local governments.


TEXT
in the middle of all this flood control dams of (the) pros and cons
over (a) controversy arose
large-scale constructions that (are both) believing
residents and local governments from opposition due to
many suspended or postponed (they) have been
Japan in June and July between
(the) rainy season lasts this year almost every day
(it) rained heavily and many parts of Japan in
the sun didn’t shine for a long time
dams
in the past (the) affected areas volunteers
to help out in were expected however this time
covid-nineteen due to
(flood) debris to clear up (it) became difficult (to move around)
this many places in (most) especially Kyushu
in large-scale flooding caused and
extensive damage resulted in
damu ga are ba
ookina kouzui ha fusegeru ?
meguri gironn ga okori mashita.
kore made hisaichi ha borannthia ni yoru
shienn ga kitai diki mashita. shikashi konnkai ha
shinngata korona’uirusu no eikyou de,
zanngai no kataduke nado ga konnnann to natte i masu.
kore ni yori kakuchi de, tokuni kyuushuu
deha ookina kouzui ga okori,
taihennna higai wo motarashi mashita.
damu ha kannkyou’hakai to fuyouna
kyodai kennzoubutsu de aru to no kennkai kara,
juuminn ya jichitai no hanntai ga ari,
ooku ga chuudann mata ha ennki sarete i masu.
nihonn deha roku gatsu kara shichi gatsu ha
tsuyu no kisetsu desu. kotoshi ha rennjitsu no youni
ooame ga furi, nihonn kakuchi de
taiyou ga denai hi ga nagaku tuduki mashita.
1. Who was the warlord that took flood control countermeasures in present-day YAMANASHI Prefecture?
2. Which countermeasures to decrease flooding were actually taken in the Meiji era (19th century)?
4. In ancient times, there was a favorable side to rivers flooding. Why was that?
5. In recent years unexpected heavy rain has caused many disasters in Japan. What is consid- ered to be the biggest cause of this?
3. What is the name of the tree that was plant- ed on banks so that people could enjoy viewing its blossoms, while their footfalls made the soil along the riverside solid?
JAPANese Test
English Japanese AUDIO
TEXT
12
Geography > Natural Disasters
Questions














Many seedlings were planted in the mountains where trees had been cut down.




Shallow riverbeds dug to lower the water level to prevent flooding.


Some parts of banks were destroyed to equal- ize water levels.







Too many trees have been cut down in the mountains.
















Causes of and Countermeasures for Heavy Rainfall






2. Rivers were not only used as transport routes, but also played an indispensable role in the development of agriculture.
1. Since ancient times, the world’s civilizations, including the Egyptians and Mesopotamians, have sprung up alongside rivers.
English Japanese AUDIO
Insight into the Subject
3. This is because inundations make the soil fertile. On the other hand, as great floods bring disaster, countermeasures have been sought.




4. In Japan too, flood control has been import- ant since ancient times. TAKEDA Shingen, a warlord from the Warring States period (16th century), is known for building an embankment (now called Shingen Tsuzumi) in his domain (present-day Yamanashi Prefecture).



5. In those days, countermeasures involved changing the course of rivers by harnessing the power of nature.
6. In the Meiji era (19th century), businessman KINPARA Meizen invested his private fortune into building a dyke along the Tenryu River. He then proceeded to plant trees in the mountains upstream to prevent flooding.



1


"Shingen Tsuzumi" is also pronounced "Shingen Zutsumi."
Note
alongside rivers have sprung up
heavy rainfall for causes of and countermeasures
rivers transport routes as were used
not only but agriculture of (the) development in
(an) indispensable role also played
inundations fertile (the) soil make
(this) is because on the other hand great floods
disaster bring as countermeasures
has been important (the) Warring States period sixteenth century from
(a) warlord Takeda Shingen (his) domain present-day
Yamanashi Prefecture in shingen tsuzumi (now) called
(an) embankment building for is known
those days in countermeasures nature of
(the) power harnessing by rivers of (the) course
changing involved
then flooding to prevent upstream
(the) mountains in to plant trees (he) proceeded
bright/govern society/chronicle real/business/(person)
*mountain/pear/prefecture
bank/protect

Which is More Important, the Economy or Human Rights?
Close Up JapanClose Up JapanClose Up Japan

4


3. Therefore Japan was planning to invite President XI Jinping as a guest of honor in April this year.
2. Japan has also placed importance on relations with China, with which it has strong economic ties.
1. While its relations with the USA are frosty, China has been eager to improve relations with Japan, an ally of the USA.


4. However, this has been postponed due to the spread of Covid-19 infection. During this peri- od, many things have happened.
5. Chinese boats frequently strayed into the waters around the Senkaku Islands, which is Japanese territory, and there were reports of human rights violations in Hong Kong. As a result, Japanese criticism of China has increased.
English Japanese AUDIO
President Xi jinping (a) guest of honor as
to invite (Japan) was planning
economic (in areas and as such) strong ties (with which) it has
China with relations on Japan
also has placed importance
(an) ally Japan with relations
to improve has been eager
however covid-nineteen infection (the) spread
of due to (this) has been postponed
this period during many things have happened
important the economy
(the) Senkaku Islands around (the) waters into
frequently strayed and Hong Kong
in human rights violations there were reports (of)
as a result China of
(Japanese) criticism has increased

3. He was the younger brother of MINAMOTO no Yoritomo, who was the first shogun of the Kamakura Shogunate (12th century), which was the first samurai regime.
4. Yoshitsune was the warrior who destroyed the Heike clan, which had been vying for power with the Genji clan, and was most instrumental in paving the way for the establishment of the Kamakura shogunate regime.
1. This is a word that expresses sympathy or support for a person in a weak position.

English Japanese AUDIO

5. At that time, political power was concentrated with the emperor at the imperial court in Kyoto, but Yoritomo, who was supported by the war- riors of Kanto, strengthened his control of his own domain.
Nihongo Spirit
2. Hangan refers to the official title given to MINAMOTO no Yoshitsune by the court.


at that time political power Kyoto in (the) imperial court
at the emperor with was concentrated
but Kanto of (the) warriors (who) was supported by
Yoritomo (his) own domain of (his) control
strengthened
support (that) expresses (a) word this is
hangan as (the) court by
Minamoto no Yoshitsune given to (the) official title refers to
he <Yoshitune> the first samurai regime (which) has
(the) Kamakura Shogunate twelfth century (of) (who was) the first shogun
Minamoto no Yoritomo of (the) younger brother was
hougan-biiki
Yoshitsune (the) Genji (clan) with
(which) had been vying for power (the) Heike clan (who) destroyed
(the) warrior was and (the) Kamakura shogunate regime of (the) establishment
in paving the way for most instrumental was
MIYAMOTO no Yoshitsune, a strategic genius, was a half brother of MINAMOTO no Yoritomo, the first Shogun who opened
the Shogunate in Kamakura.



Japan in the 12th century was governed by the Emperor and court nobles, and the samurai or war- rior class rose during this period. Among the samurai groups the Genji and Heike (Taira) families became superpowers and had a fatal battle in which Heike gained victory. The defeated Genji soon vanished.
12

Yoshitsune, a son of a Genji general was caught with her mother, TOKIWA-Gozen and his two brothers. It was customary at that time for all children who could possibly spark future conflict between two powers to be killed. The beautiful mother desperately begged TAIRA no Kiyomori, the general of Heike, for her children’s lives and they were saved upon their mother becoming his mistress. Yoshitsune was confined in a temple, while Yoritomo was exiled to an island in Izu.












The Strategic Genius Expelled by the First Shogun
Illustration: YOSHIDA Shinko






1. Questions are divided into five sec- tions. In total, there are 100 questions (20 for each section: Language & People, Everyday Li fe , Cul ture & Socie ty, Economy & Politics, and Geography & History).
5






2. Questions are written in four different scripts: Glomaji, hiragana, katakana, and standard script that includes kanji. The English translation is shown on the oppo- site page as a reference. You must read the Japanese script part.








Fill in the answers under each question in the same script as the questions. If you are unable to read the script for a particu- lar question, skip it. If you understand the question, but cannot answer in the same script, you can write it in another script. The test takes about 100 minutes.



100
JAPANese Understanding


J-CLUE ( J A PA N e s e C u l t u r e & L a n g u a g e Understanding Evaluation)
1) This will act as proof of your present JAPANese Understanding




2) It will function as an important certificate when searching for employment.




3) Even if you cannot answer the questions this time, you can still learn some Japanese trivia.



* The official "J-CLUE" is scheduled to be held in 2021. A certificate to prove your level of understanding will be issued. J-CLUE 2021








https://hiraganatimes.com/j-clue/answers
Score yourself. One point for each question. If you get a correct answer using scripts other than those prescribed, you only get half a point. You will be evaluated by the percentage of correct answers you get.




Evaluation grade 5: correct answers 50 ~ 4: 60 ~ 3: 70 ~ 2: 80 ~ 1: 90 ~

5
50

1) yokohama shi ha nani kenn ni ari masu ka. 2) bushi ni yoru seiji wo hajimete okonatta basho de, toukyou kara kuruma de 1 jikann hodo no toshi ha doko desu ka. daibutsu demo shirarete i masu. 3) umi ni ukabu itsukushima jinnja ha sekai bunnka’isann ni shitei sarete i masu. dono kenn ni ari masu ka. 4) aomori nebuta matsuri, senndai tanabata matsuri to narannde touhoku no sanndai mat- suri to shite shirareru kanntou matsuri ha nani kenn no omatsuri desu ka. 5) nihonnkai ni ari, niigata kenn ni zokusuru shima no namae ha nann desu ka. katsute ha kinn ga tore mashita.
1)



3)9

13510
4)


5)







4)12


5)



1)
2)16

3)

Guro-maji





P41

Hiragana Standard
1) In which prefecture is Yokohama city locat- ed? 2) What is the name of the city where the first samurai regime was founded? Clue: it is one hour by train or car from Tokyo and is also known for its Great Buddha. 3) Buil t in the sea and designated as a World Heritage site, in which prefecture is Itsukushima Shrine located? 4) Known for being one of the three great Tohoku festivals, along with the Aomori Nebuta Festival and Sendai Tanabata (star) Festival, in which prefecture is the Kanto Festival held? 5) What is the name of the island in the Japan Sea that is also part of Niigata Prefecture? This island was previously mined for gold.
1) What is the name of the lake in the resort area of Hakone, near Mt. Fuji? 2) Which town is known for being a fashion- able district filled with young people? (1) Ueno (2) Ikebukuro (3) Shinjuku (4) Shibuya 3) What is the name of the famous hot spring resort located at the entrance of Izu Peninsular? 4) In the 12th century, two great Japanese forc- es fought. Who was the leader of Heike clan, later called a “daiakunin” (devil)? 5) Despite having carried out evil deeds in history, some figures have later gained heroic status. ISHIKAWA xxxxxx is one of these fig- ures. Clue: A character bearing the same name appears in the comic “Lupin III.”
1) What is the largest lake in Japan called?
2) Japanese people have Japanese tea daily. What prefecture is the most famous for produc- ing Japanese tea?
3) September is typhoon season. Roughly how many typhoons hit Japan each year? (1) 1 (2) 3 (3) 5 (4) 10
4) What do you call the rice crackers that are a famous souvenir of Asakusa, Tokyo?
5) In which century did the “Taika no kaishin” political reforms aimed at establishing a strong government led by the Emperor occur? (Enter a figure)
1) What is the oldest book in Japan? (1) Kojiki (2) Nihon'shoki (3) Genji'monogatari (The Tale of Genji) (4) Heike'monogatari (The tale of Heike) 2) In the Warring States period this masterpiece was regarded as being more valuable than any territory. What is it? (1) a hanging scroll (2) a cigarette case (3) a teacup (4) a spear 3) What is the name of the person who created the 17-chapter constitution and is known for having appeared on Japanese bank notes? 4) Who is the warrior who unified the country for the first time during the Warring States peri- od in Japan’s Middle Ages? 5) In the Edo period the shogun lived in Edo (present-day Tokyo). Where did the Emperor live? (1) Kamakura (2) Kyoto (3) Osaka (4) Nagasaki
Questions (the related photos are shown on page 41).
it was while studying ceramics at university that he discovered the Mingei movement and became enamored with its philosophy.
Australia




14




He set up his own studio in Australia a n d b e c a m e a n independent potter. However, in 1990, he th rew a l l t ha t away and went to Japan. He started life as a member of the potters’ community in Mashiko-machi, Tochigi Prefecture, a place that has a deep connection to the Mingei movement. When he arrived, he did not understand Japanese at all, but continued studying hard three hours a day.








community



Inside the entrance of his workshop he posted pieces of paper that had Japanese words written on them. He also put a blackboard in front of his potter’s wheel, wrote kanji on it and, after mastering each one, erased it and wrote another. In this way he continued to push himself with these kinds of creative techniques. One year later, he became a student of potter SHIMAOKA Tatsuzo, a living national treasure, that is a person deemed by the government to be a master of an important traditional craft or cultural skill.
42



Making Vessels that Master Japanese Aesthetics
In Japan the phrase, “you no bi” (the beauty of use), means that true beauty is not to be found in flamboyant decoration or high-end objets d’art,
but in items used in daily life. It was first coined in 1926 by the Mingei (folk art) movement before becoming widely used in Japan.











Australian potter Euan CRAIG has been an advocate for you no bi ever since his first contact with the aesthetics of Japanese craftsmanship. Euan was introduced to ceramics at the age of 14, and
JAPANese Enthusiast
http://euancraig.web.fc2.com
001
002
003
004-005
006
007
008
009
010
011
012
013-015
016-017
018-019
020-021
022-023
024
025-039
040
041
042-043
044-045
046
047
048