RONJIRU JAPAN

With Japanese calligraphy, you never know what you will get until your brush touches the paper—and once it does, you only get one chance to write the characters. You cannot fix them, correct them or change them. Award-winning Japanese calligraphy artist, Kumiko, explains this one-time-only moment, in this excerpt from Episode 3 of the RONJIRU JAPAN podcast. You cannot hide your feelings or personality when writing Japanese calligraphy. They express themselves the moment you begin to write. It is beyond the writer’s control. But sometimes the ink on the paper reveals something from the heart that is unexpected, which is why some calligraphers write beautiful characters even when they are sad, or can’t seem to find that beauty even when they are very happy. This, too, is beyond the writer’s control. For Kumiko, it is exactly this difficulty in controlling the output that gives Japanese calligraphy some of its magic. It’s a snapshot of the soul at a single moment in time. You never know in advance what will appear from within. It only happens once with each piece, characters cannot be changed once written, and all the practice in the world still yields something unexpected when brush meets paper. Thus each piece of calligraphy is a surprise, every time. It’s the Art of the Moment. Kumiko hopes that people around the world can learn the joy of Japanese calligraphy, experience “the moment” and grasp the spirit of the art form. NOTE: all calligraphic artwork is by KUMIKO. All rights reserved. Used with permission. More great interviews are on the way! Please stay tuned. And share!! 🙏 Please subscribe, follow and share, to help RONJIRU JAPAN grow! 🙏 Website: https://www.ronjirujapan.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RonjiruJapan Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/RonjiruJapan 🎌 Insights on Japan, from people who know Japan 🎌

Award-winning Japanese calligraphy artist, Kumiko, discusses her unconventional take on “The Way of Calligraphy” in this excerpt from Episode 3 of the RONJIRU JAPAN podcast. Shodo—the Japanese word for calligraphy—has a long tradition of instilling respect in its students; respect for the tools of the trade, respect for experiencing all of the five senses in that moment, and respect for emptying the mind and focusing only on the task at hand. It is influenced by Zen, like many other Japanese traditions such as flower arrangement and the tea ceremony, and Kumiko understands the importance of these precepts. But while many traditional calligraphy teachers instruct their students to take a few deep breaths, calm their mind, stop talking, forget about everything else, sit upright with their backs straight and then just write, Kumiko has a different approach. Japanese calligraphy is the art of expression. She teaches her students to embrace their emotions, and apply the brush-and-ink fundamentals that she has taught them to give artistic expression to the feelings they have inside. Her students chat during lessons. They walk around the classroom. They laugh and enjoy. And they write. Whereas some teachers demand “no chatting” or “don’t think of other things”, she simply says “why not?” The goal is to express oneself. And the wisdom of her approach to Japanese calligraphy shows in the work of her students, many of whom go on to win calligraphy awards after learning the basics from her, and then reaching inside themselves to create art pieces that are original and free, and speak directly to the heart of those who see the work. This episode provides insights into Japanese calligraphy, from someone who knows it well. NOTE: all calligraphic artwork is by KUMIKO. All rights reserved. Used with permission. More great interviews are on the way! Please stay tuned. And share!! 🙏 Please subscribe, follow and share, to help RONJIRU JAPAN grow! 🙏 Website: https://www.ronjirujapan.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RonjiruJapan Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/RonjiruJapan 🎌 Insights on Japan, from people who know Japan 🎌

Timothy Hornyak is a freelance writer, journalist and author based in Tokyo, who has worked in many levels of journalism in Japan for more than 20 years. He writes about a vast range of topics related to Japan, with his work appearing in publications and various media all around the world. As a writer and journalist in Japan, Timothy brings a sharp eye, careful analysis and fairmindedness to his writing. He has written extensively about travel, food, technology, science, culture, politics and business in Japan. He is also the author of Loving the Machine: The Art and Science of Japanese Robots, and has contributed to several Lonely Planet travel guidebooks. In this interview, Timothy discusses journalism in Japan. He explains the country’s exclusive “kisha club” system that determines who has access to information. He discusses the history and roles of the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Japan (FCCJ). He describes substantive differences between how news is written and received in Japan and other countries. And he talks about the benefits and challenges of being a freelance writer in the competitive world of journalism in Japan. Timothy also discusses his book, and outlines how Japan’s global excellence in robotics and robot development has not lived up to its potential. Japan’s penchant for “cute” human-like robots could be both the key to easy introduction of helpful service robots for an aging population, but also possibly an impediment to the development of just the kind of technology needed to realize them. Media and journalism in Japan is undergoing enormous change. Timothy covers some of these changes, and provides his thoughts on how Japan’s (Tokyo’s) unique juxtaposing of traditional and ultra-modern ensures that a curious mind never runs out of fascinating things to put to pen. Loving the Machine: The Art and Science of Japanese Robots https://www.amazon.com/Loving-Machine-Science-Japanese-Robots/dp/B001SARCOI More great interviews are on the way! Please stay tuned. And share!! 🙏 Please subscribe, follow and share, to help RONJIRU JAPAN grow! 🙏 Website: https://www.ronjirujapan.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RonjiruJapan Twitter: https://twitter.com/RonjiruJapan 🎌 Insights on Japan, from people who know Japan 🎌

Kaori Sumi is a Japanese fashion product designer, and the founder of two popular fashion accessory brands: Kaos; and LaLa Senorita. Her creations have garnered the attention of the fashion industry since launching her Kaos label in 1997. Raised for a time outside Japan as well, Sumi-san’s eye for design stands out from many other Japanese designers, as she combines vintage kimono cloth with new materials including acrylics in the Kaos brand, and sources fine fabrics and textiles from countries around the world, which she then combines with finely crafted parts made here in Japan for the LaLa Senorita brand. Sumi-san is also very active in sports, including triathlon, and has participated in multiple ITU triathlon and Ironman events. In this interview, Sumi-san discusses how and why she got started in fashion design, how she first started both the Kaos brand and the LaLa Senorita brand, and discusses the philosophy behind her fashion accessory design creativity. She also covers the challenges of her particular style of fashion items, especially in an age when it is difficult to travel or hold exhibitions (or sporting events) and fashion brands are having great difficulties adapting. Kaos brings a touch of Japan to the world. LaLa Senorita brings a touch of the world to Japan. With both brands, Sumi-san continues to cherish the great attention to detail that is provided by traditional and modern Japanese craftsmen, and incorporates their work in her creations. Each piece she creates helps communicate to everyone Japan’s traditional attention to handmade goodness and quality, and helps keep those traditions alive. This episode provides insights into Japanese fashion and accessory design, from an experienced Japanese fashion designer. NOTE: all photos shown herein are used with permission. Copyright kaos co. ltd. or LaLa Senorita. All rights reserved. [[ kaos]] Online shop: https://kaos2020.thebase.in Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kaoshop_2020/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kaorisumi2017 [[ LaLa Senorita ]] Online shop: https://lalasenorita.fashionstore.jp Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lalasenorita_official/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Lalasenorita More great interviews are on the way! Please stay tuned. And share!! 🙏 Please subscribe, follow and share, to help RONJIRU JAPAN grow! 🙏 Website: https://www.ronjirujapan.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RonjiruJapan Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/RonjiruJapan 🎌 Insights on Japan, from people who know Japan 🎌

Freelance writer, journalist and author, Timothy Hornyak, outlines one of the major differences between journalism in Japan and other countries in this excerpt from Episode 5 of the RONJIRU JAPAN podcast. The Japanese kisha club (“reporter’s club”) system functions as a way for institutions better to control the content and timing of the information that makes the news. Timothy describes the kisha club system as a kind of information cartel, talks about why it is in place, and also covers some of the criticisms leveled against it—mainly that it traditionally has admitted only members of the established major Japanese media, leaving smaller publications and foreign journalists without access to the information first hand. But times are changing, gradually. Some non-Japanese media outlets have managed to get into certain kisha clubs, while other Japanese media have begun choosing to stop self-censoring to keep their access, and instead cover the information in a way that cannot be controlled. And of course, blogs, social media, podcasts and video platforms are ushering in a new paradigm. These new technologies are chipping away at the old style of controlled media, and more people are ignoring the corporate power structures that existed in the past, and doing a great job. More great interviews are on the way! Please stay tuned. And share!! 🙏 Please subscribe, follow and share, to help RONJIRU JAPAN grow! 🙏 Website: https://www.ronjirujapan.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RonjiruJapan Twitter: https://twitter.com/RonjiruJapan 🎌 Insights on Japan, from people who know Japan 🎌

Kumiko is an award-winning Japanese calligraphy artist and instructor, and an accomplished Japanese koto performer. Her calligraphy works are displayed in private viewings in Tokyo, while selected works have been picked up for display in events across Japan and in countries around the world. She has won multiple awards in Japan and overseas for her calligraphy pieces, one of which has even been added to the permanent collection of artworks from Japan in the National Museum of Prague. Kumiko instructs young students in the techniques of Japanese calligraphy, some of whom have gone on to receive acclaim in their schools and beyond. In this interview, Kumiko discusses the philosophical aspects of Japanese calligraphy: how it is a powerful form of personal expression; what benefits it has in giving shape to one’s feelings; why she has called it “The Art of the Moment”; and how her creative approach to calligraphy sets her far apart from the traditionalists, and helps practitioners find the voice of their inner heart. There is great depth and spectrum of expression in the monotone world of Japanese brush-and-ink writing. Passionate to help people overseas learn and experience the charms and controlled spontaneity of character-based art, Kumiko has also conducted lessons at an international school in Japan, spreading the spirit of the art form to students from around the world. This episode provides insights into Japanese calligraphy, from someone who knows it well. NOTE: all calligraphic artwork is by KUMIKO. All rights reserved. Used with permission. More great interviews are on the way! Please stay tuned. And share!! 🙏 Please subscribe, follow and share, to help RONJIRU JAPAN grow! 🙏 Website: https://www.ronjirujapan.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RonjiruJapan Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/RonjiruJapan Locals: https://ronjirujapan.locals.com 🎌 Insights on Japan, from people who know Japan 🎌

Kevin Hamilton is an entrepreneur, copywriter, and the creative director at UBIQ KK, a creative production boutique in Tokyo providing global-targeted corporate communications for a range of major Japanese companies and brands in multiple industries. In this interview, Kevin discusses the genesis of UBIQ KK, the sorts of creative, production and corporate communications work the company does for Japanese clients, the challenges of setting up a business in Tokyo, and the importance of Japanese language skills when working and living in Japan. Throughout his many years in the corporate communications field, Kevin has worked on both agency side and client side, giving him a well-rounded perspective that takes into account the differing needs in a client-agency relationship. He talks about the top-down hierarchical corporate structures that are common in Japan, and which notoriously slow down decision-making. He provides some tips for people interested in working here, discusses the new work-from-home paradigm that is emerging in Japan due to the novel coronavirus. And he reveals his three favorite things about the country he now calls home. As a long-time resident of Japan and a person with a music background (he's from Nashville, Tennessee), Kevin also announces an exciting new area of business that his company will be launching in order to help bring the music of talented, unique Japanese musicians to a global audience. Japan is filled with talent. As he puts it, there is: "...a middle tier of artists here that aren't in the mainstream limelight every day, but they're amongst the world's best musicians." This episode is full of insights on Japan, from a man who knows it very well. UBIQ KK Website: http://www.ub-q.com/en/home/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UBIQ-ユビーク株式会社-1733616453539090/ NOTE: Video resolution is terrible until about 2 minutes in…sorry everyone. JayTee note to self: get an additional camera with better resolution; and…never do a podcast on a sunny day in a room with no curtains. LOL. I’m glad my guest was on the shady side of the room. More great interviews are on the way! Please stay tuned. And share!! 🙏 Please subscribe, follow and share, to help RONJIRU JAPAN grow! 🙏 Website: https://www.ronjirujapan.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RonjiruJapan Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/RonjiruJapan Locals: https://ronjirujapan.locals.com 🎌 Insights on Japan, from people who know Japan 🎌

Kevin Hamilton is the creative director at UBIQ KK, a creative production boutique in Tokyo providing global-targeted corporate communications for a range of major Japanese companies and brands in multiple industries. In this excerpt from Episode 2 of the RONJIRU JAPAN podcast, Kevin talks about Japan’s pool of brilliant musical artists that are largely unknown overseas. Playing just outside the narrow confines of the mainstream—slightly edgy and challenging, but also accessible—these Japanese musicians are among the best out there. But information about them in English is limited, and therefore so is the conduit to them from music lovers outside Japan, and the artists’ access to the greater world market. But not anymore. Through UBIQ KK and its music marque Ubiq Artists Japan, Kevin and his team are opening pathways for both outbound/inbound musicians and music lovers everywhere to discover each other, while helping the artists focus on that which they do best: making music. Although the global pandemic has put things behind schedule for almost everyone, Ubiq Artists Japan is off to a great start in bringing the music of talented, unique Japanese musicians to a global audience, and vice versa. Watch this space. And bring your earphones! More great interviews are on the way! Please stay tuned. And share!! 🙏 Please subscribe, follow and share, to help RONJIRU JAPAN grow! 🙏 Website: https://www.ronjirujapan.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RonjiruJapan Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/RonjiruJapan Locals: https://ronjirujapan.locals.com 🎌 Insights on Japan, from people who know Japan 🎌

Billy Jackson is a lifelong guitarist and musician from Nashville, Tennessee, USA, and the leader of the new post-punk band called Half-Past Nein. The band has released its premiere album, entitled "Mass", from Japan during 2020-2021. In this interview, Billy discusses a lifetime of making music, including his childhood memories of going to the Grand Ole Opry, some of his former bands, his work with Gruhn Guitars, and what it’s like to be from Music City USA. Billy's long-time love of Japan has brought him to the country many times to play live gigs at some of Tokyo's hottest venues for his genre. And now he's back again, making preparations for the launch of the new album. Graciously, he has allowed RONJIRU JAPAN to play three of the songs from Mass, so for the first time anywhere, you can hear Half-Past Nein's post-punk sound during this show. From Astro Boy to Band-Maid, from Godzilla to the Great Buddha, Japan's pop culture, music and traditions have kept the country dear to Billy's heart. All Half-Past Nein songs in this episode are used with the exclusive permission of Billy Jackson, Half-Past Nein and Ubiq Artists. All rights reserved. More great interviews are on the way! Please stay tuned. And share!! 🙏 Please subscribe, follow and share, to help RONJIRU JAPAN grow! 🙏 Website: https://www.ronjirujapan.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RonjiruJapan Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/RonjiruJapan Locals: https://ronjirujapan.locals.com 🎌 Insights on Japan, from people who know Japan 🎌

Billy Jackson is a lifelong guitarist and musician from Nashville, Tennessee, USA, and the leader of the new post-punk band called Half-Past Nein. The band continues to release singles from its premiere album, entitled "Mass", from Japan since 2021. In this interview, Billy discusses how and why the band settled on the name Half-Past Nein, what it means, and how it looks to the future. Half-Past Nein songs in this episode are used with the exclusive permission of Billy Jackson, Half-Past Nein and UBIQ ARTISTS. RONJIRU JAPAN and UBIQ ARTISTS (UBIQ K.K.) have concluded a music license, including synchronization license and print license for use in this episode and related promotions. All rights are reserved. Half-Past Nein YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJaAHxKJ1RV11unpairFAGw More great interviews are on the way! Please stay tuned. And share!! 🙏 Please subscribe, follow and share, to help RONJIRU JAPAN grow! 🙏 Website: https://www.ronjirujapan.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RonjiruJapan Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/RonjiruJapan Locals: https://ronjirujapan.locals.com 🎌 Insights on Japan, from people who know Japan 🎌