The e-Japan Journal is the electronic webletter of the Consulate General of Japan at Chicago (CGOJ) and the Japan Information Center (JIC). We hope it proves useful, interesting, and exciting as a window into Japanese culture in the Midwest. As always, your feedback, comments, and suggestions are encouraged and can be sent to our editor, Chip Meyer, at jicoutreach@....

Kisaragi, the old Japanese name for the month of February, is a contracted form of kinu sara gi, which means "wear still more clothes." As most Midwesterners will relate, this is a way of saying winter's not over yet.

Setsubun - celebrated in February 3 or 4 - is a favorite annual celebration among Japanese children. On this night, children fill a wooden cup with roasted soybeans and run around throwing them at an oni, or devil, (usually played by the dad) and shouting "Oni wa soto; fuku wa uchi!" This tranlsates as "Out with the devil; in with good fortune!"

The only national holiday in Kisaragi, though, is National Foundation Day on February 11. This is the date calculated to be the day on which Jimmu - the first emperor of Japan - was enthroned, according to the Nihon Shoki (Chronicles of Japan).

View the social and cultural landscape of early twentieth century Japan. Susan Brown Nicholson presents a portion of her collection of Japanese postcards spanning several decades. Using an art and style that comes from centuries of tradition, the postcards explore changing social and artistic ideas.

The Spring 2006 Film Series hosted by the East Asian Studies Center at Indiana University includes 2 films by Japanese directors.

Over a 40-year period, Lloyd Cotsen - president of Cotsen Management and former CEO of Neutrogena Corp. - amassed the most comprehensive collection of bamboo flower baskets in the world. The collection premiered in 1999 at the Asia Society in New York. He will explain how and why he collects Japanese baskets, and offer insights into the accomplishments of basket makers in Japan.

This exhibition draws upon 18 American collections to present an astonishing variety of bamboo art by 37 artists.  Works range from functional to sculptural, demonstrating contemporary experimentation informed by the long tradition of bamboo arts in Japan.  Most baskets were completed in the last 5 years, each requiring 1-3 months to make.

In addition to this exhibition, Faulconer Gallery will host a basket-making demonstration, a koto performance, and ikebana demonstration and workshop. For more information on these events, visit the gallery website events page.

Prime Minister Koizumi Delivers General Policy Speech on January 20, 2006
In his speech, Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi outlined the basic policies for national administration in the areas of "economic vitalization", "securing reassurance in people's daily life and the safety of people", "improving and harnessing 'human resources'", "establishing a basis for future development" and "foreign policy and national security" at the opening of 164th session of the Diet.
http://www.kantei.go.jp/foreign/koizumiphoto/2006/01/20shisei_e.html

For a text of the speech given by Prime Minister Koizumi:
http://www.kantei.go.jp/foreign/koizumispeech/2006/01/20speech_e.html

Foreign Minister Taro Aso Delivers Diplomatic Policy Speech on January 20, 2006
In his speech, Foreign Minister Taro Aso stated, "The concept that supports Japan's diplomacy is the very same one that has guided Japan's progress throughout the post-war period, namely, respect for freedom and democracy, basic human rights and market economy."

For a text of the speech given by Foreign Minister Aso:
http://www.mofa.go.jp/announce/fm/aso/speech0601.html

As most people are aware, the Chinese zodiac consists of an endlessly repeating cycle of 12 years, each named for a certain animal. But, this can also be combined with a system of 5 elements (wood, fire, earth, metal, and water). Multiplying the 12 years by the 5 elements yields a 60-year rotation - or "sexagenary cycle." For example, 2006 is a Fire-Dog year, while the previous Dog year (1994) was associated with the element Wood.

Now, in addition to representing years, the zodiac can also represent a cycle of 12 days, and with the 5 elements, a cycle of 60 days. Certain of these days (combinations of animal and element) have been considered to be more or less lucky. In particular, days when the monkey and metal coincide - called koshin - are considered especially unfortunate. That's where the ritual comes in. In Taoist traditions based on the Zodiac calendar, on the eve of a Koshin Day, three worms believed to dwell in the human body escape from the body while the host sleeps and visit the Court of Heaven to report on the sleeping person's sins. Depending on this report, the court might decide to shorten that individual's life. To prevent this, people stayed awake all night on the eve of a koshin day so that the worms could not escape. This practice eventually became known as the koshin wake.

At one time, it was very common to try to divine the future based on the zodiac, and I can only assume that there have been many more such rituals in the centuries-long history of the zodiac. However, they are certainly not common in Japan today.

Here are three questions regarding news stories about Japan from last month. The first person to send us the most correct answers wins a little Japanese prize. Don't forget to send us your mailing address with your answers.

1. What aspect of Japanese culture is Miami Heat coach Pat Riley hoping will improve Shaquille O'Neal's game?
2. Kabuki actor Kotaro Hayashi recently adopted what prestigious kabuki stage name?
3. What was the theme of this year's Utakai Hajime (Imperial New Year's Poetry Reading)?

1. New software for managing data in cell phones will include characters from Japanese anime series Mobile Suite Gundam.
2. Japan has lifted the 2-year ban on US beef, allowing cattle 20 months or younger to enter Japanese markets.
3. The Japanese Supreme Court recently ruled that expenditures amounting to roughly 50 million yen by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government relating to the coronation of Emperor Akihito were not unconstitutional.

Japander
http://www.japander.com

With the Super Bowl approaching along with its legacy of over-the-top commercial spots, we thought this website would be appropriate. Remember Brad Pitt in that commercial for Roots coffee? Or Governor Schwarzenegger guzzling Hops beer? How about Whoopi Goldberg eagerly chewing Haichu candy? No? Well, have a gander at Japander, where those celebrity commercials and many more are all archived for our amusement.