Japan Meme
Over on Livejournal, the memes go 'round and 'round. I'm lifting the concept of list memes from my fellow ljers. This time, it's a Japanese list meme.
1. What's your favorite Japanese food?
A toss up between okonomiyaki and ramen.
2. What sound in the urban environment do you like best?
The roasted potato man - Ya - ki ----- imo -----!
3. What part of your daily routine do you despise most?
The commute across Tokyo.
4. Who is your favorite celebrity?
Ken Hirai who sings "Sakura".
5. Do you speak Japanese?
Yup. Not fluently, but enough to cope at the office and social stuff.
6. Can you read Japanese?
Books at an elementary school level. I read childrens literature in Japanese. I read stuff online with kanji lookup.
7. When did you first come to Japan?
1999.
8. Do you like karaoke?
Initially tolerate it well, and sing enthusiastically after a few drinks.
10. What are your favorite books by Japanese authors?
The Pillow Book of Sei Shonagon and Kitchen by Banana Yoshimoto.
11. What's the best holiday you've had in Japan?
Deep Shikoku, Kochi Prefecture. Looking out over the Pacific Ocean from Cape Ashizuri is breathtaking on a summer evening.
12. Have you ever been in the media in Japan?
As a subject, more than once - tv and newspapers. I've written for three small publications, too.
13. What do you think about Japanese Macaque monkeys?
Nasty, thieving creatures. Hate 'em.
14. Do you bow?
Yes. Even over the phone.
15. What aspect of Japanese culture has made an indellible impression on you?
Shoes off in the house. I get queasy in shoes inside a house.
Fellow Japanese residents, foreign and Japanese alike, please steal this list! Add your own questions, too.
Hi Erizabesu,
Is this the idea that others should take your 15 questions and give their answers too?
Sounds like fun to me.
Posted by: Tori | January 22, 2008 at 02:39 AM
That's the whole idea - add questions, answer them yourself, and pass them on to the next blogger.
Play!
erizabesu
Posted by: erizabesu | January 22, 2008 at 02:32 PM
Hey, I'm memeing you for once!
1. What's your favorite Japanese food?
Mm. Chicken donburi, edamame. Winter food.
2. What sound in the urban environment do you like best?
The Helijet taking off from the Harbour Center pier, cutting through all the white noise for a moment. People tend to pause and look up, and just for a second, they're all on that helicopter, rising over the inlet.
3. What part of your daily routine do you despise most?
Realizing at 10pm that I haven't gotten everything done that I wanted.
4. Who is your favorite celebrity?
Hmm. I don't know if I have an answer. Celebrity doesn't impress me, but some celebrities are impressive. There are so many humanitarians and scientists and political leaders, not to mention all the entertainers who are trying to use their voices for good.
5. Do you speak Japanese?
Way back in the day I could stumble through introductions and ordering lunch, and asking the teacher for another pencil.
6. Can you read Japanese?
No...I was just beginning to look at kanji when my exchange program was nixed.
7. When did you first come to Japan?
Nyet. Was going to go on a high school journalism exchange. See above.
8. Do you like karaoke?
Depends. When there are really fun, heartfelt singers who just lack a backup band, then yes. Not blithering plastered karaoke. I've been known to get up behind the mike. Bette Davis Eyes, I'll Stand By You or Piece of My Heart.
10. What are your favorite books by Japanese authors?
My scope is limited, but The Tale of Genji had me spellbound.
11. What's the best holiday you've had in Japan?
Only virtual ones through the eyes of friends!
12. Have you ever been in the media in Japan?
Well, I was going to intern at the Daily Yorimuri Shimbun back in 1990...but no.
13. What do you think about Japanese Macaque monkeys?
Never met one, but they are awfully canny. I suspect they're cuter at a distance than up close.
14. Do you bow?
Sometimes, when in Buddhist or yogic company, or trying to make a point...
15. What aspect of Japanese culture has made an indelible impression on you?
Hearing nothing through paper walls. Very useful.
Posted by: Siri Avtar | January 28, 2008 at 06:04 AM
Outside or inside, there is a knowing and a meaning. And you can be outside and inside at the same time, a very interesting place to be.
I hope some more non-Japan-resident folks post. It would be cool to have some Japanese-born people who live abroad write in, too! Remember our neighbour girl, Kchan? She's soon off to Calgary for 6 months.
Brenda!?!
Posted by: erizabesu | January 28, 2008 at 09:40 AM
1. What's your favorite Japanese food?
Definitely sushi, particularly sake and negitoromaki
2. What sound in the urban environment do you like best?
The old lady calling for customers at one of the local supermarkets in my neighborhood.
3. What part of your daily routine do you despise most?
The commute
4. Who is your favorite celebrity?
Abe Hiroshi who starred in the drama 'Kekkon Dekinai Otoko'
5. Do you speak Japanese?
Yeah. Don't use English much outside of work. However, I wouldn't say I'm very skilled in either language.
6. Can you read Japanese?
Newspapers are too difficult, but instruction booklets, for example, are ok.
7. When did you first come to Japan?
2002
8. Do you like karaoke?
Not too much, but had a great time doing it last night.
10. What are your favorite books by Japanese authors?
I liked 'Yukiguni' and 'Norwegian Wood'
11. What's the best holiday you've had in Japan?
New Year's in Kyoto, Winter 2006.
12. Have you ever been in the media in Japan?
I don't think so, but...
13. What do you think about Japanese Macaque monkeys?
Hmmm... I'd rather be around them than the nasty crowds in Yokohama station during rush hour.
14. Do you bow?
Yes. Sometimes even to fellow foreigners.
15. What aspect of Japanese culture has made an indellible impression on you?
Buying omiyage for co-workers and friends. I'm always looking for something to take back with me when I'm on a trip, even a local one.
Posted by: southofreality | January 28, 2008 at 06:24 PM
1. What’s your favorite Japanese food?
Sushi, Sashimi -
2. What sound in the urban environment do you like best?
Any music/noise blaring from a white kei truck.
3. What part of your daily routine do you despise most?
Parking anywhere.
4. Who is your favorite celebrity?
Sanma
5. Do you speak Japanese?
Yes, fluently.
6. Can you read Japanese?
Yes, perhaps better than I can speak. I love to read.
7. When did you first come to Japan?
1999.
8. Do you like karaoke?
It grew on me over the years. Now I seldom turn down a night out singing.
10. What are your favorite books by Japanese authors?
Want to be orginally with this one, however gotta go with Murakami Haruki
11. What’s the best holiday you’ve had in Japan?
People work here? Seems like I have been on holiday ever since I got off the plane!
12. Have you ever been in the media in Japan?
No.
13. What do you think about Japanese Macaque monkeys?
Fight back, actually I don’t know what you are talking about…however monkey fight!
14. Do you bow?
Sort of.
15. What aspect of Japanese culture has made an indellible impression on you?
Trains are on time, the taxi driver won’t try and rip you off, things usually work in Japan.
Posted by: Nathan | January 31, 2008 at 03:47 PM
1. What's your favorite Japanese food?
Ramen, omuraisu.
2. What sound in the urban environment do you like best?
The songs of children playing.
3. What part of your daily routine do you despise most?
Cleaning the office (not daily).
4. Who is your favorite celebrity?
Itoi Shigesato.
5. Do you speak Japanese?
Better than I speak English (seriously, I'm Spanish).
6. Can you read Japanese?
Yeah. Well, the newspaper is hard when reading on non-familiar subjects.
7. When did you first come to Japan?
2003.
8. Do you like karaoke?
I love it. I even have a band and we play live sometimes.
10. What are your favorite books by Japanese authors?
Ginga Tetsudo 999 by Matsumoto Leiji (yeah, it's a comic).
11. What's the best holiday you've had in Japan?
Playing with all the time my nieces over New Year.
12. Have you ever been in the media in Japan?
I've been on the TV, newspapers and radio. Just a bit of each.
13. What do you think about Japanese Macaque monkeys?
I've never met one.
14. Do you bow?
When expected.
15. What aspect of Japanese culture has made an indellible impression on you?
Shoes off when inside, not talking while somebody else is talking.
Posted by: ale/pepino | January 31, 2008 at 10:38 PM