What kind of loan would you like?
Want to borrow some money?
Better not go to “NO LOAN”.
Japan! Can we get a proof reader on advertisements with English please?
What kind of loan would you like?
Monday, February 23rd, 2009"Soramimi" is the best Japanese show on TV
Sunday, January 18th, 2009The word soramimi (空耳) translates to “mishearing”, unintentionally or intentionally. The TV show with the same name is about foreign music that has lyrics that sound like something said in Japanese. Each episode, they go through various songs that readers send in that seem to say something in Japanese even though the lyrics are in English, French, or some other non-Japanese language.
The best part of the episode to me are the skits that accompany the lyrics. Check out some samples below, starting with my favorite:
Original song: Iron Maiden – Can I Play with Madness
It starts with the exterior of a room in a company with the words 「社内当番会議」 which literally means “employee turn meeting”, i.e. deciding whose turn it is to do something.
Then the singer says, in soramimi fashion, 「警備員がセックス当番だ〜」 read “kei-bin ga sekusu to-ban da” or “it’s the security guards turn for sex”. The host then comments “WTF kind of company is this?” Awesome.
Here’s another:
Original song: Alexisonfire – Mailbox Arson
The first shot shows some names and the information that there is a wedding taking place at this location. The kid runs out and yells 「嫁 ブサイクでした！」 read “yome busaiku deshita” which means “the bride was super ugly!” I love how the family is desperately trying to stop the kids announcement… comedy.
There are a ton of these on Youtube and some are much dirtier than the first video I posted. Check it out.
Japanese Language Lesson: "Hai" and "Ganbaru"
Saturday, January 10th, 2009
I want to preface this post by saying I am most likely wrong and have misunderstood Japanese culture and language. The reason I am writing this for you though is so that you don’t make the same mistake I have. With that out of the way, lesson start!
The word “hai” means “yes” in English, right? Well, only sometimes. Depending on how it is said and how it is used it can also mean:
- “Uh, huh.”
- “Uhhhhh…”
- “Yeah, yeah, yeah, what is it?”
- and by far the most confusing: “I hear what you are saying.”
It does not always mean “yes”. In the “I hear what you are saying” case it doesn’t mean anything close to yes, just a confirmation that the person has understood your question, statement, or request. If you ask someone to do something and they say “hai” they may do nothing at all.
How can you tell the difference? I don’t know. Sometimes it is in the intonation of how the word is said and other times it can be in body language or tone. One case I do know is that if “Hai” is said twice quickly in succession it implies “yeah, what is it, I’m busy.”
On to the verb “ganbaru”. The translation usually used is “to try ones best”. In English, when I think of the times I’ve heard “I’ll try my best” said it can go two ways. I’ve seen that statement said literally, as in the person will really try their best, and in a polite way where “I’ll try my best” is said but the person has no intention of doing anything.
In Japanese though, from what I can tell, “ganbaru” means “I will literally do my best”. So don’t use it unless you are certain you will stick it out or try your best on a task.
When in doubt, use “hai”. Claim ignorance if anything backfires. ;-)
Old Grandma Hardcore
Tuesday, January 6th, 2009No, not the hardcore videogame playing grandma. This obachan (older lady) was rocking a pushcart down a busy road with no sidewalk in Yamagata when it was -2C (~28F) outside.
Hardcore!
Yamagata, New Years 2009
Monday, January 5th, 2009To ring in the new year I visited Yamagata prefecture on the northern part of the main island of Japan. After a three hour trip by bullet train, I was greeted by a winter landscape and beautiful mountains.
The calm and crisp atmosphere was quite different from Tokyo. Though there weren’t many people,
and they weren’t getting much use out of their bus stops, it was a refreshing change of pace.
From the father and son team doing some free skiing on a small incline in a parking lot,
to the ducks meandering in a local pond,
there were many opportunities to relax and take in the sights. That is, as long as you are able to handle the cold.
The weather didn’t stop me from enjoying some bizarre ice cream flavors though. Burdock root and rice being a highlight.
However, I didn’t try the curry udon in a can I found in a local vending machine. The sign makes special note that you can buy your canned noodles with cigarettes together as an added convenience. What a combination.
Polysics are Awesome
Saturday, December 27th, 2008This is in no way a new video but I was just watching again for the first time in a while and wanted to share it. The music video for “Electric Surfin’ Go Go” is as insane a Japanese video as one could hope for.
I saw them live in 2007 in San Francisco with my buddy Parm and it was a great time. If you like off the wall rock music and have the opportunity to see the Polysics I recommend it!
Tokyo Tower from Hiroo
Friday, December 26th, 2008
Taken on Christmas Day using the iPhone and the Toy Camera application. You can just barely see the tower at the top of the street in the distance.
Merry Christmas
Thursday, December 25th, 2008Hope everyone is having a healthy and happy holiday. Tokyo does Christmas very well, at least in terms of decorations. The photos below were taken in Shinjuku near Takashimaya.
Here’s to a successful 2009!
-Mark
Kirin Strong Seven
Wednesday, December 24th, 2008
“This hard and clear taste brings you the great feeling!”
You’ve got to love Japanese beer, nay happoshu, advertising that emphasizes the alcohol percentage as the primary sales point.
And the taste? Hard and clear. I didn’t feel so great after drinking it though…
Club Nintendo’s True Purpose
Sunday, December 21st, 2008
Nintendo of Japan’s Club Nintendo program is pretty cool. You register your games to earn points and then you can use those points to choose bonus goods. Sometimes they have special consoles or even games that are created just for Club Nintendo. As the image above says, it “was founded for all the Nintendo Game Players to feel more pleasure.” I give my full support to their noble cause.
It looks like it is coming to the US too. If you are a Wii or DS owner you should consider signing up. I just received cool little calendar, unannounced, for being a member. Membership is free.
