JCC E-Magazine October 2020

Overview

For this month's E-Magazine cultural articles, we are showcasing the various forms of Japanese theatre and Aomori's delicious seafood. Besides that, we had the pleasure of interviewing Amal, a young Singaporean and an avid traveller to Japan, in his Japan-inspired home. Feel free to let us know if you want to learn more about any Japan-related topics!

As previously announced, we have begun our project on Japan’s prefectures on our Facebook page. So do stay in touch with JCC on our Facebook and Instagram, and stay safe and healthy!

Director's Message

Konnichiwa!

We have now entered the final quarter of 2020! In Japan, the season of summer is slowly transitioning into autumn; the Vernal Equinox in late September signalled the start of shorter days and longer nights, and cooler weather. A popular pastime during mid-autumn in Japan is moon viewing. We enjoy snacks known as tsukimi-dango ‘月見団子’ while viewing and appreciating the beauty of the full moon. It was interesting to learn that Singaporeans celebrate in a similar fashion too, by eating mooncakes (we call them 月餅 ‘geppei’ in Japanese) during the Mid-Autumn Festival. I was able to try a few varieties of mooncakes available here, and my...(Click here to read more)

Cultural Articles

Japan Onstage

Japan has a very long and elaborate history of performing arts. Although old, traditional music and dance forms are still pervasive in everyday life; shamisen music can still be heard on the radio, and communities often unite to dance bon dances together. Theatre is also an ever-popular form of entertainment, with a handful of styles that remain unique to Japan. Noh (能) is the oldest existing form of Japanese theatre, and is also one of...(Click here to read more)

The Abundant Seas of Aomori

Aomori Prefecture is the northernmost prefecture on the island of Honshu in Japan. Its location on the tip of Honshu means that it faces three coasts – the Sea of Japan to the West, the Tsugaru Strait in the North, and the vast Pacific Ocean in the East. Being surrounded by these bodies of water exposes the prefecture to harsh winters and rough seas, but it is in these rough seas that delicious seafood are raised. Cold and warm currents meeting...(Click here to read more)

Featured Article of the Month

Amal's Japan-inspired Home

In September, JCC visited Amal, a young Singaporean and an avid traveller to Japan who displays his enthusiasm towards Japan and Japanese culture by sprucing up his home using the Land of the Rising Sun as his inspiration. Describing himself as “a normal, fellow Singaporean who loves Japan a lot,” Amal shares with JCC how he came to love the country, his experiences with the culture, and his hopes for the friendship between...(Click here to read more)

Japanese Cultural Fact for October

Autumn Appetite

When the hot, languid summer passes, and the air turns invigoratingly brisk - getting downright chilly at night - one's appetite returns with a vengeance. As if anticipating this, shops around town begin featuring seasonal delicacies that further whet one's taste for good food.

Summertime fruits like watermelons disappear from the grocer's displays and are replaced by grapes and pears. These, too, soon give way to apples, persimmons, and tangerines...(Click here to read more)

Notice

■ Information on Invitation for Application: The Japan World Exposition 1970 Commemorative Fund

■ The Japan Foundation grant program for FY2020 (Japanese / English)

■ Enjoy Free Japanese Lessons here on NHK World!

Notices regarding the COVID-19 situation

■ Japanese Government Initiatives for COVID-19

■ Embassy of Japan in Singapore Facebook