I recently made a new friend in the Hachimantai area. That in itself isn’t all that interesting. What is interesting is that she kept telling me how she would go to these Indiaca tournaments in Akita, and I honestly had no clue what she was talking about. When she mentioned it, I’d just kind of smile, wave and carry on with the conversation.
Well Today she emails me and tells me that she won her first Indiaca event. At this point, curiosity took over and I had to find out what this was all about. A quick Internet search revealed that Indica is a game developed in Germany by a man named Karl Hans Krohn. It was originally based off of a Brazilian game called “Peteca.”
The rules of the game are strikingly similar to volleyball. In fact, the game is played using a net very similar to a volleyball net. The ball, however, seems to be a mix betwwen a curling rock and a badminton bird. Japan seems to really have taken to this sport. There are over 800 000 Indiaca players in Japan, as opposed to Europe, where there are only 100 000 players. The game is called “インデイアカ” or “Indiaka” in Japan.
I’m surprised I haven’t heard of this game until now. I’ve lived here for 4 years now, and it has somehow evaded my sports radar. How about that.
On his way, originally uploaded by jasohill.
There was a gerneral competition and a competition set aside for pro competitors. You really have to attend a live biathlon to understand all the work that goes into competing in this grueling sport.Not only are all the athletes expert marksmen, but they are also flawless cross country skiers. Missing just one target will cost you precious time, so they train to hit all five targets every time. My local board of education was responsible for running the event.
New photographs from Hachimantai will be posted every Thursday. All hachimantai photos can be found in my Hachimantai set on flickr.
We had a great time in Niigata. We skied for three glorious days, and partied for two spectacular nights. However, I really should have remembered it was my first time out this season. I ended up hobbling around most of this week due to the agony of 筋肉痛（kinnikutsuu), or muscle pain. I was also stupid enough to try out one of the beginner ski jumps. Let’s just say that when ass and head end up in reverse positions, things did not fair well.
I did notice one thing about skiiing in Japan this weekend. I learned that no matter where you go, whether it is a crowed Tokyo street, a packed bullet train, or even the top of Mount Fuji, you will find a mass of people. Playing dodge person with five hundred other skiers and snowboarders can make for a stressful run. I only slammed into three people the enire time, so I suppose it isn’t all that bad.
I bet you’re wondering just what I’m going to talk about today. I’m sure the title doesn’t say much about the topic, so I’ll start this by talking to you about the way words are shortened in Japanese.
Many languages do this, so it’s not really a surprise, but you would be surprised by some of the words that come from shortening longer ones. Take for example ファミコン（Famicom.) This word is short for “Family Computer.” Another popular example is the word ポケモン（Pokemon.) You all know this word. Of course it’s short for “Pocket Monster.” If you want to get used to the Japanese language, then you will have to start adjusting to words like these. I warn you know, however, that is take some time. I’m not even there myself.
You see, I teach in an area surrounded by mountains and snow. Along with these amenities come skiing. In my previous town, I had never heard any ski lingo before, but now I’m hearing it everyday, and there is just one word I cannot get out of my head. That is is クロカン（Kurokan.)
This lovely little word originates from the longer word クロスカントリー（Cross Country) and I cannot wrap my brain around it. For some reason I think people are talking about “Croaking.” I’m sure it will fade into my linguist database eventually. It’s just a matter of time. Here is a little quiz for you. Find out what these shortened Japaense words mean.
セクハラ（sekuhara) —-
コンビに（conbini) —–
スーパー（suupaa) —–
オムライス（omuraisu) —–
Bonus: ブリちゃん （bricchan) ——
Good luck!
The task is a simple one. I need a ski outfit so I can enjoy a little sledding with my preschool class. There is only one problem with this situation. I am an large western male and I live in Japan. There could not be a worse outcome to this problem.
Continue reading ‘The Gauntlet of Girth’
I’m not quite sure how I get myself into these situations. At one point this year I agreed to run a relay marathon. Well, this past Sunday I had to own up to my promise. It wasn’t as bad as I thought, except that I agreed to run six kilometers when I would have been happier just running four. Two days of 筋肉痛（muscle pain) later and I’m back to where I was before I started the race. Overall, we had a good time. This year we had a team of seven runners and we were able to complete the race is three and half hours, putting us in 56th place. I can now add a relay marathon to my checklist of completed runs. Here are some pictures from the event.
Oh, and for those who didn’t know, Appi is usually a ski resort. In fact, it is one of the most famous in Japan.
For a full list of all the participants and the results, check at their offical page,
here. If you are interested in participating next year, that is the place to sign up. You can have up to 12 people on your team. The page is only in Japanese. If you want a translation, feel free to ask me for one. Here is a picture of me during the run, and then a picture of our marathon team.
I think this comic sums up what happened the other night. It’s hard to explain to my coworkers that the reason I’m bummed out is because of the result of a hockey game. It doesn’t show when I teach my classes, but I can’t hide it at my desk. It will pass in time, I hope.
In other news, I have only six weeks remaining on the JET program. I am preparing my immigration paperwork and I am getting ready for my move. I will fill you all in on what it takes to transfer from one job to another in Japan. Stay tuned!
Tomorrow is game 7 of the 2006 Stanley Cup finals. I didn’t think the Oilers would ever take it this far. They have surpassed my wildest expectations. All that is left now is one game.
One cup, one dream, one goal, one game.
I will once again avoid the live broadcast so that I can see it after work. I may be late in joining in on the festivities, but I’ll be there eventually. I’ll see you all on the other side. GO OILER GO! Best wishes from Iwate, Japan.
At the moment, I am sitting at my desk here at work, straining not to lose control. I have the Internet but have somehow managed to avoid seeing any results. We have sky perfect here in Japan, and my friend Greg invited me over to watch the game this evening as he taped it earlier in the day. If I can hold out until 8pm I can avoid spoiling the results for myself.
Let me tell you, this is not easy. Do you know how many places on the Internet will give you sports scores? I have avoided all the usual suspects, including sports and news channels. I have also been avoiding forums where I know the score could be leaked. I almost got one when checking my google mail(stupid ad ticker at the top had an ESPN news feed on it.) With classes and prep work, I have been able to avoid this so far. Here is hoping I can endure.
I made a number of sacrifices when I came to Japan. I knew there would be things that I wouldn’t be able to do and people that I wouldn’t see anymore. One thing, however, that I didn’t see coming would be a return to the Stanley Cup Finals by my favorite hockey team, The Edmonton Oilers. That might have been one sacrifice too much.
Those that know me know that I am a devoted Oilers fan and have been since 1994. I missed the years they were winning their Championships, but have stuck with them through their “rebuilding” years. I was there in 1997, screaming like a lunatic when Todd Marchant put the puck in during game 7 and eliminated the Dallas stars. I was there when they were almost sold to an American investor and shipped off to god knows where. I was the when they kept getting tossed from the playoffs by Dallas. I was there when they got their third jersey and I was there during the lockout, wondering if the Oilers would ever be able to remain in Edmonton.
And now that they are going to the Stanley Cup, where I am? I am about 14 000km away from home and feeling a strong longing to be back cheering them on. I can’t tell you why I like hockey so much. I can’t explain why I will listen to as many Oilers games as I can on Internet radio. Maybe it’s just something in my blood. Regardless, this has been a bittersweet time for me. There is really only one thing I can do at the moment, and that is to cheer on my hockey team with all my energy. I won’t be on Whyte Ave or on Jasper Ave, nor I won’t be at Rexall place. I will be here in northern Japan, screaming my lungs out every time Rod Phillips screams at the top of his lungs, “He scores.” I am an Oilers fan for life, and no matter where I live on this vast planet, I will always cheer the men in blue. GO OILERS GO! I know you’re going to win this one.
