500% Kitano - Nothing to Add!

What a great tagline for a film... '500% Kitano - Nothing to Add!' - Taken from Takeshi Kitano's 'Takeshis'

It gets me wondering when the next Kitano film will be released. I recently bought his latest, 'Kantoku Banzai!' (Glory To The Filmmaker) and absolutely loved it. I first saw it as part of the BFI's Film Festival in London in October. The film really pokes fun at Kitano's varied career, to comic effect.

This of course, followed his superb 'Takeshis' (blog title from this) in which he played two versions of himself, also to superb effect.

So from the man who pioneered the Japanese ganster/yakuza film, what do we expect next? We've had the violence, the bloodshed and the guns. And we've had a sensitive, touching story from 'Dolls'. Obvious humour from 'Getting Any', and subtle humour in most of his other films. 'Zatoichi' gave us a periodical film... so what else is there left for Kitano to try?

This is from the man who is also a comedian, author, presenter and general personality (us Brits know Takeshi's Castle... that was his). In addition to film-writer, director and actor.

All that seems to be left for Kitano is a musical career and a horror film... Or news-reading. Now that might be interesting...

If you haven't seen a Kitano film, check out the following...
Violent Cop - His first director role. Lead actor also. Superb cop/yakuza film.
Getting Any? - Great comedy. Often slapstick, but still above base level humour.
Battle Royale - Purely an acting role, but played superbly.
Kantoku Banzai - The golden touch to his career... this is fantastic. But you might need to watch the others first...

Then check out all the others! Dolls, Zatoichi, Takeshis, Sonatine, Kikujiro, Kids Return, Boiling Point, A Scene At The Sea... there's not a bad one among!

back down south...

Well, I'm back in London... can't say I'm all that thrilled by it!

I thought it was colder back up North, although today I'm not sure. It's freezing!

Just as I'm thinking how sleepy I am, I read an article on Mainichi Daily News stating that Japanese working hours have increased, but the amount of sleep being had by Japanese people has dropped! Crazy...

I think I'll be having an early night, tonight...

Received Go!Go!7188's new album today, along with a single by Mick Green and TMGE... so I'll be having a listen to those today too. I like my Japanese music!

back up north

That's right, I'm back in the north, albeit just for a weekend. And a busy one it is!

Yesterday I visited the barber (not paying Southern prices), the doctor, a friend in Manchester, a friend in Denby Dale and found time to give blood and sign myself up to donate Bone Marrow.

I'm glad I've done that, as there's so few people registered to give bone marrow, and it's such a crucial thing for saving someone's life. I am also an organ donor and a regular blood donor... so if there's anything else of me anyone wants, just let me know!

Today my mother returns from India where she has been volunteer-working with disabled children for the past month.　So I am back to welcome her home!

And Paul Tibbets, the pilot of Enola Gay and the man responsible for dropping the bomb on Hiroshima, has died this week aged 92. While this is sad news for some, I am certain it will be met with other reactions amongst certain Japanese people.

The bomb was responsible for the deaths of at least 140,000 Japanese people. That's from the Japan Times website.

そして、毎日日本語を勉強しています。　テストは十二月二日だ。

'down to Hendon with the boys in blue...'

A line from Cock Sparrer's song 'Riot Squad'... and a sum-up of my day today.

Today was a selection day for the role of Special Constable, for which I applied some time ago. Today involved a written test, an interview and two role-play exercises at the Police Training School at Hendon.

Seemed to go ok, so we'll see!

Still no computer...

Japanese giant English school NOVA has folded, leaving 4000 instructors jobless... 300,000 students are also in the dark. That's from Asahi

aaaah

Another day, another dollar... well, another dollar spent...

with the refusal of my busking licence, I may have to get a real job. and with a bit of luck there should be plenty going in such a huge city!

so tonight is only a short blog... so now I will depart and tuck into some tasty Japanese beverages... Pocari Sweat anyone?!

London Calling...

Another interesting day in London...

On a friend's recommendation, I took my girlfriend to a Cuban restaurant near Waterloo for a meal for her birthday. Never having had Cuban food before, it was an experience, and a mighty pleasant one at that! Great food, fantastic atmosphere, and good beer! So check out Cubana near Waterloo station.

Walking my girlfriend home, we were on Clapham High Street when we heard a huge bang. Now, if you've ever been in a car-crash, you know exactly what that bang sounds like... As it happened, one car had run into the back of another, but had managed to hit a woman and her scooter before-hand. We all rushed towards, and several people actually managed to lift the car off her, while the rest of us tried to calm the woman and keep her still until Police and Ambulance turned up... very scary.

Anyone who knows me knows I am no stranger to the car crash, but it was quite surreal to see it from a different angle. The worst was seeing the pain that the scooter-driver was in, and trying to reassure her that she was ok. Frightening stuff.


Otherwise, today, I finally heard from TFL about my busking licence and... my application was unsuccessful. Shame... but there's plenty more open mic nights to be had!!!


And at the moment I have a new addiction... The Japanese manga comic 'One Piece'! Absolutely fantastic. Go buy it at Borders or somewhere!!!

Ruby Tuesday Part 2

Japanese homework building up and a fear of my own accent...

Voice coaching should be kicking in soon, thankfully. A chance to fine-tune and hopefully dampen my Yorkshire accent.

My Japanese exam on the 2nd December looms ever nearer. And I feel to be making little progress. I can read and write basic things, I can get buy in a conversation, but there's far too many of those little moments where you get completely lost...

私は十二月JLTPテストをします。　二年間日本語を勉強しました。　ロンドンでテストをします。

But with hard work, and lots of studying, improvement of both my Japanese and my English should come about!

Journalism / Languages

After a quick chat with David, I began wondering where journalism is heading...

As so many more mediums of reporting news become mainstream (rss, blog, podcast), surely the traditional printed press will eventually become obsolete? As newspapers become much less convenient, what would replace them? It's an interesting subject, especially from my point of view - as a journalist soon to be looking for work. Any ideas?


Wednesday is my busy day lately. Classes from 9.30 until 5, then a mad dash across the city to reach my Japanese class for 6. This lasts one hour, then another hour or so to get home. Although today I will head into the city to meet my girlfriend for a meal. Hoping I find somewhere good to eat! Shouldn't be hard in such a big city (you can tell I'm a country-boy...)

Shorthand and Japanese in one day can be confusing too, as it's learning one set of symbols that bear little relation to the language you speak, and then learning a completely different set. Although I love learning Japanese, it's a beautiful, imaginitive langauge, full of subtleties and ettiquette. And when spoke with a Yorkshire accent, I'm sure it's divine!

huddersfield...

Another day, another murder in Huddersfield. a body was found on Sunday night, and has now been identified. This from the Huddersfield Examiner.

Meanwhile, the funeral was held for Ryan Hawkins, the young boy murdered a few weeks ago in his home in the town.

I only left Huddersfield a few weeks ago, and it's really sad to see all of this happening in such a lovely little town. But I guess no place is exempt from these sort of things.


Asahi news states that Japanese children have steadily become less athletic, and have now reached a point where their abilities can decline no further.

after the weekend...

After a weekend of bad internet connections and much walking around London, here's my latest update.

When a friend comes to visit you in London, you tend to be all blase about the sights, as you've seen them a hundred times. But I think some just never lose their beauty and wonder. Nelson's Column, Westminster from across the river, Buckingham Palace...

I visited the British Museum for the first time too, and was amazed at the sheer size of it. A few hours in there and I only saw a small fraction of what was there. I headed straight for the Japan exhibit and was impressed by the age range of the artifacts.

My Japanese knowledge was tested again this weekend, as my girlfriend's friends were over to stay. Trying to be on the ball with your language skills takes it out of you, and I am still exhausted. But my efforts bore fruit... in the form of a gift from one friend of a child's Hello Kitty picture book for my to test my Japanese reading skills with.

Lastly, I had my audition on Friday for a London Underground busking licence. It was terrifying, yet kind of exhilarating... held on a disused tube platform at Charing Cross, in front of a panel of three and a video camera. I played RP McMurphy by Manic Street Preachers. Have to wait three weeks to find out though, now... Hey-ho!

Burma claims a Japanese journalist

As a Journalist-to-be and follower of Japanese culture, this story caught my attention, courtesy of Asahi news online.

The Japanese video journalist Kenji Nagai was shot dead on the streets of Rangoon on Thursday 27th September.

New Japanese president Fukuda is waiting to see how events unfold before proceeding with sanctions.

Thoughts on London / Japanese

London...

My first time living here, and I love the city. I feel so relaxed on the tubes and in the stations.

Bodes well for if I get my license for busking!

Had my first Japanese class today, all the way out in Southgate. 1 hr by tube. But again, I don't mind. Gives me chance to read, study, listen to music, and people-watch.

Tomorrow, journeys by buses. Oxford Circus to Hendon, Hendon to Northwick Park. Exciting!