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Memories Of
Shimane-ken
by Eric Wynkoop
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| Eric Wynkoop:present
day |
Ten years ago I left the rural seclusion of Akagi-cho,
to join Grace, Lee, Thad, and Thea in Matsue, to discuss
plans for a newsletter to tell the experiences and
perspectives of the non-Japanese residents of Shimane.
We would target present and past residents, as well
as others with ties to Shimane, the ancient land that
was our home. Through the medium of the newsletter
we would share the history, modern attractions, and
current events as we saw them. And, to symbolize the
unique, yet common, Japanese experience, we chose
the Shimenawa. The newsletter would be called simply
"The Shimanean." Since that "dreary
day," I have had the opportunity to watch The
Shimanean grow and evolve with each succeeding editor.
It is both fun and rewarding to read the varied
articles from the many contributors. It is through
The Shimanean that I live vicariously until my next
visit to Shimane.
Looking back upon the time spent in Shimane, I
have many fond memories, such as the enduring friendships,
cycling on Oki Islands, the farmstay in Nichihara-cho,
and a visit to a local orphanage. But, the most
memorable was the birth of my son, Alec, the first
Shimane JET-son! If through no other experience
but this one, I will always have a connection to,
and sense of place in Shimane.
Today, as a chef instructor at Western Culinary
Institute, in beautiful Portland, Oregon, USA, my
life has evolved greatly since my stint as a CIR.
However, my experiences in Japan and Shimane have
greatly influenced who I am today and continue to
influence my present career revolving around food
and education. While I look forward to my next journey
to the unforgettable San'in region, should any of
you find yourselves passing through Portland, look
me up. Lunch is on me!
Mochimaki,
Otohime and Me
by Michael Jacobs
It was late summer in 1993 when, soon after arriving
in Shimane, I was given the job of editing The Shimanean.
In those days the International Center was located
across the street from the kencho, in the
Century Building, and that great piece of futuristic
Izumo architecture - Kunibiki Messe - was still under
construction. Thanks in part to the JET program, rural
Shimane had become so international that there was
demand for an English-language publication that would
introduce the rich cultural, historical, and social
background of the region. Without a doubt, editing
the Shimanean was one of the most enjoyable and rewarding
experiences during the two years I spent working at
the Center.
I always envisioned that The Shimanean would give
foreign residents the chance to investigate something
about the local community - whether it be a festival,
the history of a shrine, or even a social problem
- and then write about it. And the publication could
also be used to give local Japanese people (the
real Shimaneans) to write about their world for
an international audience. Many organizations publish
newsletters, but I think The Shimanean has been
much more than just a gazette. During my time as
editor, I can think back to so many fascinating
topics covered, and so many interesting people I
met in the course of soliciting articles or writing
them myself.
In fact, The Shimanean was my main link to many
remarkable Shimaneans. I remember interviewing Tomio
Omura from Hirata, who had survived several harsh
years of internment in a Russian camp after World
War II. He later invited me to throw mochi
filled with money at the mochimaki festival
commemorating his new house, one of my favorite
local customs.I remember watching Suwako Ayabe playing
ping pong, before my interview, and her lightning-quick
reflexes and formidable backhand. The amazing thing
was that she was 78 years old at the time and had
won several tournaments, which is why I chose her
as the subject of an article.And I remember visiting
a local kasoba - crematorium - and being given a
grand, if rather morbid, tour as background for
my article on the region's funereal customs.On a
lighter note, I remember Kelly Dietz' memorable
article on the cultural significance of otohime,
the little gadget often found in Shimane's public
bathrooms that allow one to hide the 'shameful'
sound of going to the bathroom.
No, The Shimanean was, and is, no ordinary newsletter.
And I wish it another great ten years. I hope someday
that all the many people who contributed articles
or were themselves the subject of them, and all those
who helped with the actual editing and printing, could
get together once again, over a cold beer if possible.
Maybe this grand reunion would even make a good subject
for another Shimanean article.
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