#and japanese expat life

[japanwords]

How to REALLY make friends in Japan

On breaking out of the "gaijin bubble"

Recently I published my second article on Medium, in the publication Japonica (if you're interested in Japanese culture, check them out, there's some excellent stuff there).

My article is about a subject very dear to my heart. Namely, making friends in a new city.

More specifically, making friends in Japan. It takes a while, but it can be done! In the article I explain how.

[laidbackmarco]

Learning to Lead: The Most Unique Tour Leader Training

Learning to Lead Tour Leader Training Although I secured my job in the tourism industry I was feeling more insecure than ever. The orange hot mocha I sipped did little to calm my nerves. Thankfully this tour was a live training and observation journey, so I wouldn’t be in charge. When I arrived at the hotel I was relived to discover the first day of the tour was for greetings. We would make sure…

[jdrachel]

I wanted to send some love to the wonderful fans of LIVE FROM JAPAN!

[howtojapan]

Stay Cool!

Summer is almost here. Are you ready for the heat and humidity? Read this blog to learn some ways to stay cool this summer.

Summer is fast approaching and it’s time to think about how to prevent heat stroke and feel more comfortable in the heat and extreme humidity. Japan is known for its sweltering summer weather, which can easily cause dehydration and exhaustion. Here are some items and tips to stay cool during summer in Japan. Stay hydrated Image by Clker-Free-Vector-Images from Pixabay Sweating is inevitable in…

[writingwithcolor]

Naming International POC Characters: Do Your Research.

This post is part of a double feature for the same ask. First check out Mod Colette's answer to OP's original question at: A Careful Balance: Portraying a Black Character's Relationship with their Hair. Below are notes on character naming from Mod Rina.

~ ~ ~

@writingraccoon said:

My character is black in a dungeons and dragons-like fantasy world. His name is Kazuki Haile (pronounced hay-lee), and his mother is this world's equivalent of Japanese, which is where his first name is from, while his father is this world's equivalent of Ethiopian, which is where his last name is from. He looks much more like his father, and has hair type 4a. [...]

Hold on a sec.

Haile (pronounced hay-lee), [...] [H]is father is this world’s equivalent of Ethiopian, which is where his last name is from. 

OP, where did you get this name? Behindthename.com, perhaps?

Note how it says, “Submitted names are contributed by users of this website. Check marks indicate the level to which a name has been verified.” Do you see any check marks, OP? 

What language is this, by the way? If we only count official languages, Ethiopia has 5: Afar, Amharic, Oromo, Somali, & Tigrinya. If we count everything native to that region? Over 90 languages. And I haven't even mentioned the dormant/extinct ones. Do you know which language this name comes from? Have you determined Kazuki’s father’s ethnic group, religion, and language(s)? Do you know just how ethnically diverse Ethiopia is? 

~ ~ ~

To All Looking for Character Names on the Internet:

Skip the name aggregators and baby name lists. They often do not cite their sources, even if they’re pulling from credible ones, and often copy each other. 

If you still wish to use a name website, find a second source that isn’t a name website. 

Find at least one real life individual, living or dead, who has this given name or surname. Try Wikipedia’s lists of notable individuals under "List of [ethnicity] people." You can even try searching Facebook! Pay attention to when these people were born for chronological accuracy/believability. 

Make sure you know the language the name comes from, and the ethnicity/culture/religion it’s associated with. 

Make sure you understand the naming practices of that culture—how many names, where they come from, name order, and other conventions. 

Make sure you have the correct pronunciation of the name. Don’t always trust Wikipedia or American pronunciation guides on Youtube. Try to find a native speaker or language lesson source, or review the phonology & orthography and parse out the string one phoneme at a time. 

Suggestions for web sources:

Wikipedia! Look for: “List of [language] [masculine/feminine] given names,” “List of most common [language] family names,” “List of most common surnames in [continent],” and "List of [ethnicity] people."  

Census data! Harder to find due to language barriers & what governments make public, but these can really nail period accuracy. This may sound obvious, but look at the year of the character's birth, not the year your story takes place. 

Forums and Reddit. No really. Multicultural couples and expats will often ask around for what to name their children. There’s also r/namenerds, where so many folks have shared names in their language that they now have “International Name Threads.” These are all great first-hand sources for name connotations—what’s trendy vs. old-fashioned, preppy vs. nerdy, or classic vs. overused vs. obscure. 

~ ~ ~

Luckily for OP, I got very curious and did some research. More on Ethiopian & Eritrean naming, plus mixed/intercultural naming and my recommendations for this character, under the cut. It's really interesting, I promise!

Ethiopian and Eritrean Naming Practices

Haile (IPA: /həjlə/ roughly “hy-luh.” Both a & e are /ə/, a central “uh” sound) is a phrase meaning “power of” in Ge’ez, sometimes known as Classical Ethiopic, which is an extinct/dormant Semitic language that is now used as a liturgical language in Ethiopian churches (think of how Latin & Sanskrit are used today). So it's a religious name, and was likely popularized by the regnal name of the last emperor of Ethiopia, Haile Selassie (“Power of the Trinity”). Ironically, for these reasons it is about as nationalistically “Ethiopian” as a name can get.

Haile is one of the most common “surnames” ever in Ethiopia and Eritrea. Why was that in quotes? Because Ethiopians and Eritreans don’t have surnames. Historically, when they needed to distinguish themselves from others with the same given name, they affixed their father’s given name, and then sometimes their grandfather’s. In modern Ethiopia and Eritrea, their given name is followed by a parent’s (usually father’s) name. First-generation diaspora abroad may solidify this name into a legal “surname” which is then consistently passed down to subsequent generations.

Intercultural Marriages and Naming

This means that Kazuki’s parents will have to figure out if there will be a “surname” going forward, and who it applies to. Your easiest and most likely option is that Kazuki’s dad would have chosen to make his second name (Kazuki’s grandpa’s name) the legal “surname.” The mom would have taken this name upon marriage, and Kazuki would inherit it also. Either moving abroad or the circumstances of the intercultural marriage would have motivated this. Thus “Haile” would be grandpa’s name, and Kazuki wouldn’t be taking his “surname” from his dad. This prevents the mom & Kazuki from having different “surnames.” But you will have to understand and explain where the names came from and the decisions dad made to get there. Otherwise, this will ring culturally hollow and indicate a lack of research.

Typically intercultural parents try to

come up with a first name that is pronounceable in both languages,

go with a name that is the dominant language of where they live, or

compromise and pick one parent’s language, depending on the circumstances.

Option 1 and possibly 3 requires figuring out which language is the father’s first language. Unfortunately, because of the aforementioned national ubiquity of Haile, you will have to start from scratch here and figure out his ethnic group, religion (most are Ethiopian Orthodox and some Sunni Muslim), and language(s). 

But then again, writing these characters knowledgeably and respectfully also requires figuring out that information anyway.

~ ~ ~

Names and naming practices are so, so diverse. Do research into the culture and language before picking a name, and never go with only one source.

~ Mod Rina

[lesbianashleywilliams]

So those of you who have been following me may have noticed that I all but disappeared for about three months...well, that's because I've been planning to go to Japanese language school, and the wheels have really begun to start turning!!!!!!

I have been given the opportunity of my lifetime to be able to attend a Japanese language course at the International Study Institute in Tokyo's Shinjuku Ward. The course runs for a year, with the opportunity to extend it to two years, if my grades and money are sound [insert sound of children cheering here].

Being able to study Japanese locally and long-term has been a life goal of mine since I was fourteen. Though I'll probably never be able to fulfill my teenage dream of being an interpreter/translator for expats, this feels like the next best thing. Due to suffering from several comorbid chronic conditions that have majorly altered my life, most notably the beast known as systemic lupus erythematosus, I will probably never be able to seize another chance like this ever again. I won't be going in as a total novice, as I was able to take a year's worth of 1000-level Japanese language courses in college…before I had to drop out…… Since then I've been self-studying and using language exchange apps for practice, but nothing will beat the experience of using it in the day-to-day.

At this point in time (January 2024), my first six months of tuition have already been paid for. I am currently in a quiet waiting period while I wait to get to the next steps of the Certificate of Eligibility/Student Visa process. Before that, though, I need to secure my flight and housing. For the sake of my health, safety, privacy and comfort, a sharehouse will not be an option; I will have to seek a private apartment. I am here today to request assistance with the aforementioned flight and initial housing costs. It's still too early to commit to either of those, but:

The average cost of flexible one-way flights from where I am to either of the two Tokyo metro airports (Haneda and Narita) is running around $1200

I am doing some preliminary apartment scouting and am hoping not to exceed $800 per month (I will be traveling with suitcases and will need to properly store them). The apartments I am looking at do not require a security deposit or key money, but will probably come with a guarantor fee.

Now because I'm not going over there through one of the more common avenues - through a university or a job - I have to do it myself. Real life has meant that I've had to dig into my bank balance a bit, and after paying for the first six months I'm a little under the 2 million yen (~$14k) threshold that Immigration likes to see for a year's study. I'm lucky enough in that I will at least have a regular source of (unearned) income, as well as a financial sponsor; it's just the bank balance, flight, and accommodation that are hanging me up. Right now I am setting the initial goal at $3000, but I expect to move those goalposts at least once. Any extra will go towards a flight home for the Christmas holidays in December. After that, it'll go towards paying down my credit cards as much as I can prior to leaving the United States.

I can provide my conditional letter of acceptance from ISI, as well as the school invoice and receipt of the bank transfer for the first six months of tuition upon request (identifying information redacted, of course).

Because there's still a couple of months until I'm set to fly out I put together a GoFundMe (now that's a name I haven't used in a while) to idly collect whatever help I can. At the very least I just need this post to circulate enough to eventually cast a wider net outside of Tungle.hell.

GoFundMe

If you can't use GFM, V3nmo and P4ypal are also options:

V3nmo: @/venus3palette

P4ypal: @/fantasytheater

Again: I'm not in that much of a hurry, and the situation isn't dire! Thank you for combing my wall of text!!!!

[solartranslations]

AF2 Glossary

Auguri: Means “Congratulations” in Italian. Used during celebrations. The song for Happy Birthday is called “tanti auguri a te”.

Agata: The governor of Nordia, the Capital of Water. Teo and Sera’s mother. Appears strict and fearsome since she carries a whip, but is actually kind. An old friend of Vir’s.

Acqua Alta: An Italian word that refers to the tides. The phenomenon is often observed in Nordia. The townspeople take daily measures to prevent buildings from becoming flooded and to prepare for emergencies.

Acqua Tempesta: A great storm that threatens Nordia. Records state that it occurs once every hundred years. The storm is powerful enough to completely destroy the island.

Acqua Pazza: Fish and tomatoes stewed in water and white wine. A popular dish among sailors, especially those of the Intelligence division. Regalo has restaurants that serve delicious acqua pazza.

Bruise: Appears as compensation for using Arcana powers. The area around the stigmata turns reddish black, and becomes painful.

Ash: A wild genius from the ghost ship. 17 years old. A decendent of the alchemist who created the Tarocco. Also skilled in swordsmanship. Turns into a tiger when he looks into a mirror, and turns back after eating an apple.

Amata: An Italian word that refers to your beloved. Often used when whispering sweet nothings like a true Regalo man.

Amethyst: A purple crystal. A long time ago, Jolly made a fake eye out of this stone to supplement Debito’s emotional strength. This gem is also often used as a protective charm.

Arcana Duello: A battle between those with Arcana powers to determine who is the strongest. Everyone who has powers can participate. It was established by Mondo.

Arcana Famiglia: The vigilante organization that protects Regalo from both internal and external threats. They maintain order and safety for the island. Searching for cats is another of their specialties.

Arcana powers: Strange powers that lie in Tarocco cards. These special powers can be gained through forming a contract, but each seems to require the payment of some compensation…

Alto: A boy who often gazes at the sea. 10 years old. Often comes to the harbor to listen to stories of “Liberta the Hero”. Devoted to his family.

Alberto: Pace’s younger brother. 22 years old. His feelings towards Pace are complicated, but he hopes that he will return to their family. His favorite dish is naturally lasagna.

Albero: One of the court cards. The king of the Chalices. 34 years old. Mature and composed, he supports their young executive. However, he teases him an equal amount.

Awayukikan: A type of sweet from Giappone. Its name comes from it’s snow-white appearance and melt-in-your-mouth softness. Has a flavor that brings back fond memories for Giapponese expats.

Antonio: One of the court cards. The knight of the Swords. 23 years old. Straight-laced and serious. Dislikes disorder, but still remembers to read the room. Tends to worry that his face makes him look old.

Igor: One of the court cards. The page of the Clubs. 21 years old. Basically just loves to eat! And that is reflected in his figure. Secretly loves fine food.

Isabella: One of three maids who take care of the entire mansion. Full of energy and the life of the party, she is also very hard working. Her age is a secret.

Isis Regalo: One of the exclusive members-only casinos run by the Coins serie. A place for gathering cash, information, and everything in between…

Strawberry Head: Ash’s nickname for the heroine. Apparently comes from how her hair is red like the fruit…

Il Carro: The 7th card, the Chariot. The name of the Tarocco that Teo hosts. Grants the power to control gravity, and burden or suppress an opponent’s movements.

Il Giudizio: The 20th card, Judgment. The name of the Tarocco that Sumire hosts. Grants the power to understand the will of the Tarocco.

Il Bagatto: The 1st card, the Magician. The name of the Tarocco that Ash hosts. Grants the power to change your appearance at will.

Il Matto: The starting card, the Fool. The name of the Tarocco that Liberta hosts. Grants the power to make the spoken word reality.

Il Mondo: The 21st card, the World. The name of the Tarocco that Mondo hosts. Grants the power to amplify or suppress the Arcana powers of others.

Vittorio: One of the court cards. The queen of the Coins. 29 years old. Acts like a parent to the rest of the Coins. Won’t say it out loud, but trusts their Capo a suprising amount. His hairstyle is a key part of his look.

Vir Ingeniosus: The creator of the Tarocco. Physical age unknown. He doesn’t look like it, but he is actually 448 years old. Also created the ghost ship. Doesn’t have Arcana powers, but is knowledgible about alchemy and astronomy.

Elmo: A homunculus boy. Looks around 10 years old, but was actually born less than a year ago. Succeeded in hosting powers through Jolly’s research. Loves the heroine very much.

Eros Debito: Debito’s nickname. Pace is the one who came up with it. It’s used when Debito shows his true talent as a hunter of love.

Augar Blanco: The name of the organization lead by Milena’s father. They caused unrest in town and were in conflict of Arcana Famiglia. They seem to have quieted down recently.

Orso: A member of the Intelligence division. 29 years old. A burly sailor who assists Dante. While he’s great at sailing, he’s bad with women.

Ojou-sama Maniac: What Agata calls Luca to refer to how his life revolves around his Ojou-sama. Luca denies it, but everyone else seems to agree.(X)

Ka-Ko

Casa Bianca: An orphanage in Nord. Liberta spent time here before meeting Dante. It is not currently in use and only the broken down building remains.

Guida Regalo: A Regalo tourism magazine. The Family occasionally puts out special editions. It originally came about so that individual establishments could showcase their specialties.

Caprese: A salad of layered mozzerala cheese and thickly slices tomatos garnished with basil. A signature Italian dish. Often served during celebrations.

Capo: An Itallian word that refers to an executive. Members of the Coins serie often use this in regards to Debito.

Kamuro: A young girl in training to be a courtesan. They waited on courtesans called oiran while learning how to be courtesans themselves.

Calcio: An Italian word that refers to soccer. A regular activity at Piccolino among the children. Particularily a favorite among boys.

Karel: Debito’s mentor who taught him how to work in the shadows when he was an assassin. The former Executive of the Coins. He has some connection to Debito…

Kiara: Joshua’s wife and Liberta’s mother. Died soon after giving birth to Liberta. A commoner. Dextrous and skilled at making accessories.

Coins Serie: The serie in charge of distribution. Also oversees the amusement facilities on the island. Their free-spirited Capo has plenty of enemies and allies.

Claudio: One of the court cards. The knight of the Clubs. 24 years old. Has a reputation for having a wild and healthy appetite. Has a thing for silver hair, but nobody knows about it.

Grazie: An Italian word that means thank you. Saying “thank you” is the most important and basic form of communication.

Clarissa: A girl from a ruined noble family. 12 years old. Despite being young, works hard studying in order to rebuild her family’s status. Has some connection to Pace…

Claude: A former Nord spy. Knows Dante from when they were fellow spies. Approached the heroine before claiming to be a journalist. His recent whereabouts are unknown…

Contract: Formed when your intentions are in line with another party. Often used by Vir throughout the story as a negotiation tactic.

Officer: Refers to a police officer. In Regalo, Arcana Famiglia takes on this role, but the police uphold order in Nordia. They don’t serve katsudon though. (TN: Apparently serving katsudon to suspects in interrogation to get a confession is a thing in Japanese police dramas)

Laurel: A plant in the Lauraceae family. The leaves are typically used in Natale wreaths or dried into bay leaves to use as a spice for cooking.

Philosophers’s Stone: A miraculous stone known by all alchemists. It is said to have the power to turn base metals into gold and grant humans immortality.

Swords Serie: The serie in charge of arbitration. Didn’t have an executive until recently, when the heroine joined and filled in the position. The members all act like true Regalo men.

Useless Brat: A term used when cursing another. Refers to a person who is only a mouth to feed and doesn’t have any contributions or achievements.

Cornet: A pastry often eaten during breakfast. Similar to a croissant. In Regalo, they often have sweet fillings like jam or chocolate.

Gondola: A small rowboat. Typically used as transportation in Nordia where there are lots of canals. The scenary when travelling between buildings in one is quite beautiful. It looks particularily magical at night.

Clubs Serie: The serie in charge of inspections. Perhaps to Pace being the executive, this serie is full of cheerful personalities. Always smiling when on patrol.

Konpeito: A type of sugar candy shaped like stars. Originally introduced from Portugal. Their bright, translucent colors and sweet flavor makes them beloved by people of all ages.

Sa-So

Embodying Suspicion: When someone has unfounded doubts about another. Being suspicious is necessary at times, but knowing when to trust someone is more important. (X)

Trivial: Refers to something insignificant. Used by Dante to describe Claude’s actions. But what are Dante’s true intentions? (X)

Salute: Said as a wish for good health when making a toast. Doesn’t matter whether your glass contains wine or grape juice.

Monkey Princess: A female squirrel monkey. “Princess” for short. Neve’s close friend and confidant from when she lived in Giappone. Teaching her new skills is part of Neve’s daily routine.

Siesta: A nap taken to relax for a bit after lunchtime. A day with clear skies and a breeze is considered perfect weather for a siesta.

Jeremy: One of the court cards. The king of the Coins. 22 years old. A good guy, but often causes him to draw the short end of the stick. Loves women.

Signorina: A polite term for a woman. To Regalo men, a woman is considered a lady no matter her age.

Shimenawa: Used to decorate entryways during new years to welcome the gods. Means to ward of evil. Very nostalgic to Neve since she is from Giappone.

Simone: One of the court cards. The queen of the Swords. 27 years old. Loves hearing interesting gossip. Talks in a unique manner that leaves an impression.

Giappone: The name of the country Sumire used to live. Items and proverbs from Giappone appear frequently in the story.

Minor Arcana: Those who work under the executives are contracted with a minor Arcana. They don’t have special powers but have slightly higher physical abilities than the average person.

Jolly: An advisor you can’t go to for advice. Age unknown. Due to his cold-hearted nature, the island’s citizens and Family keep their distance, but he doesn’t mind it. His skills as an alchemist are first-rate.

Giorgio: One of the court cards. The king of the Swords. 31 years old. Usually reliable but loves signorinas. Has a reputation for accurately telling fortunes with his hairstyles.

Jiro: The mansion’s gardener. 37 years old. A natural-born Regalo man who gets along well with Martha. It’s said that his favorite hat is an antique.

Scuro: One of the court cards. The knight of the Chalices. 27 years old. A sincere and upstanding man. Idolizes his executive and calls him “Nova-sama”. Has the nicest handwriting in the Chalices.

Stigmata: A mark that appears on the skin after contracting a Major Arcana. The position depends on the person. The design is based on which Major Arcana was contracted.

Speranza: The name of the sword Liberta always carries. It’s name means “hope”. It’s a type of curved sword called a cutlass.

Sumire: A former oiran fortune-teller. 36 years old. A woman with an exotic air who came from Giappone. Said to have originally been an accomplished fortune-teller. Strict yet mischievous as a mother.

Sumire Tayu: The name Sumire used in Giappone when she was an oiran. “Tayu” is a title granted to those who excel at the arts.

Punishment: A penalty imposed upon those who break a law or regulation. As the creator of the Tarocco, it seems that a punishment is issued to those who attack him.

Chalices Serie: The serie in charge of security. Comprised of those who are typically earnest people, but they often tease their young executive.

Serafino: The son of the governor, Agata. 18 years old. Usually refered to as Sera. Sometimes gets the short end of the stick due to his honest personality. Has plenty of worries for his age. Crab claw fritters are his favorite

Celine: A magician. 25 years old. Was supposedly visiting Nordia in order to show off some magic tricks at the masquerade… Seems to have some relationship with Debito…

Serie: The Swords, Chalices, Coins, and Clubs divisions of the organization. Also used to refer to card suits.

Ferryman: A person who rows a gondola. Called a gondolier in Italian. The sight of them standing at the bow often catches the attention of tourists.

Governor: A term for someone who leads a country. Agata fulfills this role in Nordia. The postion comes with a significant amount of responsibility, as the one holding it can determine the future of their country.

Ta-To

Major Arcana: The group of 22 cards in a full deck of 78 tarot cards that has illustrations of what they symbolize.

Compensation: A payment that is made whenever Arcana powers are used. For example, whenever the heroine spins the “Wheel of Fortune”, “memories” are the compensation.

Tarocco: The tarot in Italian. Refers to the cards that host Arcana powers in general. It isn’t clear who created them or for what purpose.

Dante: Has a bright sense of humor. 39 years old. The chief executive who manages the other more free-spirited executives. Has direct command over the Intelligence division, so he does not stay in Regalo all the time. An incredibly reliable man.

Cenone: A banquet held in Italy on New Year ’s Eve. Often a large function where family, extended relatives, and friends are invited. Nordia has a custom of exchanging small red items.

Ciao: Means “Hey!”, “Hello”, etc. Used as a greeting on a daily basis. Mainly used between people who are familiar with each other. Saying this enthusiastically is sure to get you a smile in return…

Intelligence division: A group of all male sailors who specialize in diplomacy and gathering information and protect the island from outside threats. They are a part of the Family but mainly operate at sea.

Dino: A craftsman at the glass workshop. 24 years old. Acquainted with Sera and has also met Nova. Skilled at glass blowing but does admit that Sera is more talented.

Tiramisu: Quintessential of Italian dolce. Bitter espresso and marscapone cheese make an exquisite pairing. It’s name means “cheer me up”.

Teo: The son of the governor, Agata. 18 years old. His full name is Theodore. Respects Vir almost to the point of blind faith due to a certain incident. Shrimp fritters are his favorite.

Debito: A fashionable man who lives for amore. 24 years old. Treats women and children kindly despite how he looks, but speaks in a foul manner. Executive of the Coins and runs the casino. Also performs various other jobs…

Equivalent exchange: Exchanging things of equal value. A term used frequently by alchemists. If you want something, you must offer something of equal value. That is the principle behind an equivalent exchange.

Donatella: One of three maids who take care of the entire mansion. Good at keeping a straight face, but can still be playful. Calm, collected, and often calls out others on their stupidity.

Torta di mele: A tart that typically uses apples. The crispy crust an tart apples taste exquisite. Tastes nostalgic to Ash.

Dolce: An Italian word that refers to sweetness or sweets. Can also be used as a compliment for women.

Donna: An Italian word that refers to a proprietress. Also a title for the heroine after she succeeds Papa as head of the Family.

Na-No

Natale: The Italian word for Christmas. People will usually get together with family to celebrate on the night of Natale. It can also be a day for couples to spend together.

Nino: A member of the Intelligence division. Dante’s subordinate. 32 years old. A keen sailor who supports Dante, but has very bad luck. Will always take the opportunity to pursue luck.

Nicola: Nova’s mother. When Nova’s Death powers went out of control at a young age, she was put to sleep for 7 years, but has now woken up. Is usually gentle.

Neve: Sumire’s younger sister by blood. 17 years old. Her real name is Yuki (kanji for happiness). Skilled at fortune-telling and also uses it in sales. Loves and respects Vir, with whom she has a romantic relationship.

Nova: A skilled Regalo swordsman. 16 years old. The disciplined executive of the Chalices and the heroine’s cousin. Strict on others just as he is on himself. He still isn’t done growing.

Nordia: A city located to the north of Regalo that takes a few days to reach by ship. Many canals run through the city, making it famous as the Capital of Water. The Acqua Tempesta is a constant concern.

Nordia merchants: The merchants that are led by Vir. It’s members are Sera, Teo, and Neve. They have a contract with the governor, Agata, to travel around selling their wares.

Nord: A country that is located even further north from Nordia. Temperatures are low year-round which makes life in the area difficult. The population decreases every year.

Ha-Ho

Pace: A natural Regalo man. 26 years old. The executive of the Clubs and the Deputy Chief Executive. Loves lasagna and always has a smile on his face. Is actually a noble and son of the lord.

Papa: Means “father” in Italian and can also refer to the Pope. The term is also used for the leader of the organization and is Mondo’s title.

Babbo Natale: The Italian word for Santa Claus. Shows up in the “Adventures of Liberta the Hero” stories that Liberta tells. Virtually everyone in Regalo has heard of him.

Patrick: One of the court cards. The king of the Clubs. 28 years old. Supports Pace by managing the serie. The long part of his hair that looks like a tail is a style point of his.

Panettone: A traditional sweet bread that is eaten during Natale. The dry fruits inside and freshly baked crust are exquisite. So good that even grown-ups and children will fight over it.

Panna: Means fresh cream in Italian. Spreading lots of panna on panettone when eating it during Natale is the Regalo way.

Bambina: Means a young girl in Italian. Young boys are called bambino. Mainly used by Debito when referring to the heroine.

Piccolino: An event that members of the Family hold occasionally. They gather the children in the church to play, talk, and eat snacks together.

Pino: One of the court cards. The queen of the Clubs. 23 years old. A glutton who’s motto is “meals should be fun”, but has the best manners out of all the Clubs. Has a bit of a sharp tongue.

Chickpea: A small legume that is used in soups and salads. Usually used as a term for teasing Nova in the story.

Federica: The beautiful owner of a tailoring shop. Owns a white cat named Fran. Her age is super top secret. Gets along very well with Martha.

Federica Dress: The tailoring shop run by Federica. The shopfront is decorated with many dresses. They also sell accessories and such.

Felicita (default name): A girl who is loved deeply. 17 years old. The executive of the Swords and their Madonna. Has a cool personality and talks with her kicks before her words, but is just hiding her embarrassment. Secretly a romantic. The heroine of the story.

Buona Notte: A phrase that means “good night”. Said to wish someone a pleasant night.

Fortuna: The 10th card, the Wheel of Fortune. The name of the Tarocco that the heroine hosts. Its full name is Ruota della Fortuna.

Fukurota (default name): A female little owl. Gifted to the heroine by Dante when she was young. Now the heroine’s best friend.

Furio: A poor boy who is a childhood friend of Clarissa. 13 years old. His family is poor and he works as a shoe polisher. Seems to have some relation to Pace…

Fred: One of the court cards. The queen of the chalices. 20 years old. Mercilessly ties up troublemaking evildoers with his whip. His hobby is reading books and has an eloquent but sharp tongue.

Peridot: A bright green gemstone. Luca refined it to use as a replacement for Debito’s amethyst eye. It holds the meaning of “bonds of fate”.

Mr. Hat: Vir’s nickname for Luca. Comes from his trademark hat. Keeps using it no matter how many times Luca corrects him. Probably won’t be changing his ways…

Pawn: One of the pieces used in chess. The weakest piece representing a foot soldier. Using them properly can determine victory or defeat.

Homunculus: Refers to the artificial lifeforms created by alchemists. Some say that they go against the principle of life…

Polpo: Means “octopus” in Italian. There are rumors that Jolly used to use them as experimental subjects. Delicious when cooked and fun to look at.

Board Game Tournament: A tournament held on the last day of the masquerade. A large event held to celebrate Nordia in which the governor Agata herself takes part. Agata was the champion in recent years.

Ma-Mo

Martha: The mansion’s cook. 38 years old. A spirited woman who is in charge of all the Family’s meals. She can apparently make anything you request of her.

Masquarade: A large festival held during New Year’s in Nordia. It lasts for 10 days and a board game tournament with the governor takes place on the last day. Many tourists come to experience the event.

Mama: Means “mother” in Italian. It refers to the motherly figure of the organization, who is Sumire in the story.

Milena: The youngest daughter of Augar Blanco. Ran borderline scams in order to pursue the person she liked, but the incident was resolved at the Isis Regalo. Exchanges letters with the heroine.

Mariella: One of three maids who take care of the entire mansion. Has a calming presence and acts as an older sister figure. She is surprisingly clumsy.

Bird of Prey: A category of bird that includes owls. They tend to prey on other animals. Debito tends to use this to refer to Fukurota. (X)

Mostro Abissale: The name of a limone pie that Jolly made. It’s full name is “Capriccio of Enhancement, Mostro Abissale”. It seemingly has the effect of making whoever consumes it manlier like Dante.

Fir Tree: A type of pine tree that is typically used as a Christmans tree. It isn’t typically done in Regalo, but they are often decorated in celebration of Christmas abroad.

Moreno: Nova’s father and Mondo’s older brother. However, his current involvement with the Family is minimal. Was put to sleep for 7 years when Nova lost control of his powers at a young age. Strict, but kind deep down.

Mondo: The ridiculously doting father, Papa. 59 years old. Currently the well respected head of the Family. Has a personality that inevitably brings people together. Is soft towards his daughter.

Ya-Yo

Procuress: A woman who trains and procures women for a pleasure district. It is said that they put a great amount of effort into training girls so they can attract high class clients.

Liberta the Hero: The name Liberta uses when he tells stories of his adventures. Very popular with children. He seems to exaggerate quite a bit, but he claims they are about 70% true…

Ghost Ship: Refers to Ash’s ship, the Vascello Fantasma. In the past, it sailed with many ghosts and skeletons who could not be put to rest aboard. There are apples everywhere.

Yuki: Neve’s real name. Written with the character for “happiness”. Changed her name to “Neve” after meeting Vir. After fulfilling a promise, she may start going by this name once more.

Joshua: Mondo’s first son whom he had with his first wife. He eloped and went missing, but reappeared on the ghost ship… His wife’s name was Kiara.

Ra-Ro

La Giustizia: The 8th card, Justice. The name of the Tarocco that Joshua hosted. Invokes the scales and calls forth either an overwhelmingly powerful attack or defensive array.

La Stella: The 17th card, the Star. The name of the Tarocco that Neve hosts. Grants the power to grant the wish of another just once.

La Temperanza: The 14th card, Temperance. The name of the Tarocco that Luca hosts. Grants the power to nullify Arcana powers.

La Torre: The 16th card, the Tower. The name of the Tarocco that Elmo hosts. Grants the power to create a strong wall over an area that protects from attacks.

La Forza: The 11th card, Strength. The name of the Tarocco that Pace hosts. Grants extreme physical strength.

La Primavera: A spring festival in Regalo. Many people will wear costumes and several events will be held to heighten the festive atmosphere.

La Morte: The 13th card, Death. The name of the Tarocco that Nova hosts. Grants the power to temporarily put people in the area to sleep.

La Luna: The 18th card, the Moon. The name of the Tarocco that Jolly hosts. Grants the power to call up a person’s painful memories.

Lasagna: An oven-baked dish of layered sheet pasta and sauce. Pace says its name strangely, but there’s no real meaning to it.

L’Appeso: The 12th card, the Hanged Man. The name of the Tarocco that Sera hosts. Grants the power to temporarily deprive nearby people of their vision.

Raphaelo: One of the court cards. The page of the Swords. 25 years old. Usually doesn’t talk much, but occasionally has harsh opinions. He is easily misinterpreted, but is actually just very honest.

Gli Amanti: The 6th card, the Lovers. The name of the Tarocco that the heroine hosts. Grants the power to read the hearts of others.

Ristorante: Means “restaurant” in Italian. Many specialize in dishes using fresh seafood. Their dolce is also delicious.

Liberta: One who understands the value of foolishness. 19 years old. A member of Intelligence who loves the sea and freedom. Has a bright, energetic personality despite the complex circumstances behind his birth. Has difficulties due to not knowing how to act around women.

Limone Pie: A pie using lemons. The members of the Family all have different tastes, but they all agree that Luca’s limone pie is a delicacy. Tastes even better cold. They should never be thrown.

Lord: Governs the land that they preside over. Pace and Alberto’s father has lordship over Regalo.

Apple: A type of fruit. Their balance of sweet and sour makes them suited for use in dolce. Ash’s favorite food and his Vascello Fantasma stocks tons of them.

L'Imperatore: The 4th card, the Emperor. The name of the Tarocco that Dante hosts. Grants the power to manipulate a person’s memories or temporarily brainwash them.

Luce: One of the court cards. The page of the Chalices. 20 years old. Has a baby face that makes him look younger than he is. Likes to tease Nova the most out of the Chalices.

Luca: An overly doting attendant. 29 years old. His hobbies are sewing and alchemy. Was also once a secretary. A kind older brother figure who has taken care of the heroine for 13 years. Can be incompetent at times.

The Lucellino Company: A secret organization who’s name means “little bird of light”. They appear to be a trading company on the surface, but rumor has it that they have another hidden side…

Regalo sunshine: Refers to a perfectly sunny day without a cloud in sight. On days with weather like this, it isn’t unusual to see people doing their laundry while looking up at the sky and calling out “Look at this Regalo sunshine!”.

Island of Regalo: The island that the story takes place on. Often targeted by pirates and foreign nations due to its abundance in resources. The name Regalo means “gift”.

Renato: One of the court cards. The knight of the Coins. 26 years old. The diligent type, which is rare in the Coins. His cool demeanor makes him popular with women. Doesn’t smile outside of work.

L'Eremita: The 9th card, the Hermit. The name of the Tarocco that Debito hosts. Grants the power to become invisible and undetectable by others.

Alchemy: A practice that involves refining various materials into a complete form. Those who practice this art are called alchemists. Jolly, Luca, and Ash are known as the alchemist trio.

Rollo: One of the court cards. The page of the Coins. 23 years old. Has a good head on his shoulders and is skilled at adapting to the needs of others. A calculated gentleman.

Wa

Wheel: Anything that is round or goes in a loop. Whether that be fate or connections with others. The world is made up on many wheels.

Wine: An alcoholic beverage made of fermented grape juice. A favorite drink of Debito’s and Dante’s. It is best consumed warm during cold seasons.

Puppy Brothers: A term used to collectively refer to Liberta and Pace. References how they act like a large and medium-sized dog respectively.

~*End*~

(Back to Directory)

[scamuel-likely]

Week 3 of writing workshop with @bettsfic & @books

Stories of a place:

The place I wrote about was Rokkō Island in Japan, and the surrounding area where I used to live.

I only used the common facts that anyone could find out.

1. The Rokkō Liner is an automated tram that transports people from the mainland to the manmade Rokkō Island.

2. Kobe was hit by a devastating earthquake in 1995.

3. Rokkō Island was made by taking the top off nearby mountains and compressing them to form new land in the ocean.

Tangled Up In Blue:

The tram snakes its way across a thin stretch of vibrant water, a thousand crystalline waves dance far below its metallic carapace. Inside, it carries precious cargo. The kind of cargo that thrums with the rush of blood and the spark of life, the kind that reads the morning paper and taps away at their cellphones. The tram is a noble beast, and it carries its task of transport out with no direction, no driver at its helm. It’s an entirely automated system, ferrying travellers from the densely packed mainland Sumiyoshi to the equally dense Rokkō Island. A commuter tram for many, as Rokkō Island houses few attractions and the heavy boom and bustle of harbours echo from its shores. This island is a freak of nature. It has been stitched together by the hands of mankind, mountains ripped from the earth and shoved into an orderly rectangular form. A picture perfect piece of the modern industrial world.

The tram, the Rokkō Liner, announces its destination to the passengers in singsong Japanese and again in a similarly musical yet somewhat mechanically clumsy English. Many, many foreigners, live and work on the island. Stacked into towerblocks and gated housing complexes, these expats make their livings in finance, shipping and translation. The early dawn illuminates a sea of suits, Japanese and foreign salarymen shuffling to work. Their faces are lined with stress and their company-issued tie clips shine in the newborn sunlight. One of them trips and falls, his briefcase letting loose a deluge of papers onto the pristine pavement below. He looks up at the sky, a tangle of telephone and electrical wires crisscrossing from granite apartment to granite apartment, and beyond that a vibrant cloudless blue. His suit is scuffed and he’s grazed his palm, but no one stops to help him up. So he’s left to shake himself off and pick himself up, as his spreadsheets and quarterly reports are pulled away by the soft morning breeze. He sighs and that too is snatched away by the wind. His boss isn’t gonna like this one bit.

His boss, the one who requested those quarterly reports to be on his desk by nine am at the latest, is sitting on the Liner reviewing a book his wife recommended to him, on Goodreads. He’s giving the thing, an American book called All The Pretty Horses, five stars. He’d sat down to read it one evening, with a glass of port in one hand and a cigarette in the other. After three refills of port and eleven more cigarettes he was done and, despite his insistence to the contrary, there were tears in his eyes. And tears freely flowed again when he conversed with his wife about the book over breakfast. Something about the book’s message of freedom and hope was inspiring, and made him hark back to the days of his youth. He was once a young revolutionary student who campaigned to end uniforms and for the school to stop getting funding from the nearby American airbase. He used to be a free spirit, used to wear a beret to school and sport Groucho Marx style glasses. Used to quote Karl Marx to teachers and Keats to fellow students. Used to organise film festivals, write in the local newspaper and mitigate street showdowns between young Yakuza members. And then he’d grown up. Life had caught up to him, forced him into a suit and pushed him through the sliding doors of a faceless office building. And he’d lost the joy in his life, crushed by timesheets and shipping mandates.

The review he was writing, on his wife’s account, was full of beautiful prose and cascading metaphors. He unleashed his creative streak, the one the grindstone of society had oppressed, and crafted an excellent essay-like review of McCarthy’s book. While writing this, his mind filled with such raw emotion, he let loose just one more tear. The teenager sitting across from him pretended not to notice him wipe it away with his shirtsleeve, which had been neatly ironed the day before by his wife.

The boss’s wife, an American-Japanese woman who’d grown up in Kobe, had first discovered Cormac McCarthy in a quaint little bookstore tucked away in the shadow of the Kobe Tower. The red light spilling from the tower reflected on the window display, dousing all its contents with an eerie blood-red glow. She’d taken shelter in there, as it was raining something awful and the karaoke bar she’d been at had closed early due to a leak in the roof. It was late at night, she was quite tipsy and in no mood for the noise and light of a train station, so she tapped on the window of this bookstore. It was closed, but light was spilling from a beaded curtain partitioning the shop from its backroom and her hurried and frantic tapping soon altered the owner. He was a man around her age, his eyes were ringed with the telltale dark circles of the sleepless. He wiped a stray eyelash away from his eye with one slender hand as the other fumbled for the door key. She wondered, somewhat drunkenly, if he was single.

He let her in, gave her a cup of green tea, and asked her, in excellent English, “What the hell are you doing dancing around in the street during a typhoon?”

She admitted to being a little drunk, and he gave her a blanket and a book, telling her to rest while he finished up his work for the night.

“Then what?” She enquired, but he clearly hadn’t heard her, as he’d slipped through the beaded curtain into the shop and was busying himself with the shelves.

Having no real other option, she took a sip of the piping hot tea and blearily glanced at the book.

The cover was well-loved, the spine supple and the edges fraying. Emblazoned on its front were the words: No Country For Old Men by Cormac McCarthy.

She took one more sip of tea, and began to read.

Eleven years and a long marriage later, she’d finally recommended the author to her husband. She knew he loved old Clint Eastwood films, and she knew something of his creative side, remembering him writing her elegant haikus when they’d just started dating. They’d been quite distant as of late, with her time mainly spent working from home and his in the office. She knew full well he didn’t do anything of substance, it was all delegation. His boss would tell him something, then he’d repeat it to his own employees, mimicking his boss’s angry demeanour best he could. The stress of his job had been making him snappish and standoffish, so she thought a literary diversion might be just what he needed. And she was right. He openly sobbed into his miso soup when they’d talked about the book at breakfast, the tears mixing with the broth and dissipating like rain into an ocean.

The ocean the tram was crossing was prone to violet outbursts. This was mainly due to the fact Japan sits in between four different tectonic plates, making it prone to earthquakes and tsunamis. One such earthquake had occurred in 1995 and had wreaked Kobe. Water had been forced out of the soil used to build Rokkō Island, causing pavements to crack open as water bubbled onto the surface. The rush of underground water brought with it geysers of sand that burst pavements, tearing down towering red construction cranes and shiny new bridges alike.

The bookseller remembers that earthquake well. His shop had been flooded by a burst sewage pipe, and his parent’s house had collapsed in on itself, a supernova of rubble and debris. He had wandered through the wreckage days after the quake, trying to find anything that remained. Quite a bit of the ground floor walls still remained, jaggedly and abruptly ending at around shoulder height, giving way to a sky still grey from debris dust. His parent’s fridge still stood, remarkably, dented as it was. A lone survivor of the now mostly-unrecognisable kitchen. He swung open its door to find a mush of foodstuffs, mulched up berries, squished meat, crushed pasta, eggshells, juice cartons spilling their contents onto the rubble-strewn cracked wooden floor below. A line of orange juice ran through a contour in the wood and pooled at his shoe. He glanced at his reflection in its vivid bring surface, a colour pop in this grey world, a world still shaking from the events of the past few days.

He looked just the same as he had on that rainy night in the bookstore, only now his hair was being eaten by wisps of silver and his shaded eyes were adorned by wire framed glasses, these two effects combining to make him seem scholarly and intellectual, though doing nothing to aid his never-ending quest for long term companionship. His parents, who had luckily been on holiday in Hokkaido when the quake had struck, had tried to set him with so many women in the past but nothing had ever stuck. He’d gone on a few dates with a girl in university but when her grandfather died she had to move back to Kanazawa. Their relationship slowly fizzled out after that, the fire of passion dying through increasingly rarer and briefer love letters and phone calls. Since then he hadn’t really had much luck with love, even going to a love hotel, just out of sheer desperation, only to find that sex was something he utterly didn’t understand, even when doing it. It was the human element that he fell for.

Take, for example, that woman he’d met when he was working late at the bookshop. Her tipsy little smile as she sipped her tea and opened No Country on her lap. Then the awe and raw excitement that flitted across her face as she read further and further. He had spoke a few more times to her that night, to refill her tea, to answer some basic questions about himself and to ask her where she lived so he could phone her a taxi. Her replies had all been witty and polite, and he’d etched them into his mind, despite her actual appearance fading into the obscurity of his memory, long since tarnished with taxes and neighbours and train times and the pressures of adulthood.

The teen on the tram didn’t want the pressures of adulthood. If adulthood made you cry on your morning commute, like she had seen that salaryman do just moments ago, she wanted no part of it. She was heading onto Rokkō Island to meet her girlfriend for early morning coffee. Her stomach was filled with a buzzing static that built and rose to her throat, making it hard to swallow. Not only had she called into school to tell them a family emergency had come up, which she had never done before, but she’d also slipped from her bedroom window and tiptoed to the train station in the waning night, which she’d also never done before. She was now sitting on the first train out to Rokkō Island, a doughnut in the shape of a lion in her hand. She bit into its adorable face, the soft sugary flesh splitting with the force of her teeth, spraying forth a tsunami of cream filling onto her hand. Another doughnut, this one a plump porcelain-like Hello Kitty face, with a jammy centre, sat in a paper bag on the seat next to her. It was for her girlfriend. The static in her stomach surged at the thought of that. She had a girlfriend. They’d met playing netball, it was a sweltering summers day and the tarmac had felt like lava when her palms had smacked down onto it after she had tripped trying to defend the net. After the ball had rushed through behind her, the girl that had scored, a very pretty girl with shoulder-length brown hair and sparkling eyes, had reached down and helped her up. She was so surprised that this girl, who was far better at sports and probably far more popular than she was, had helped her, instead of hugging a teammate or somesuch celebration. She was even more surprised when that girl cornered her by the changing rooms and gave her a tiny slip of Snoopy-branded notepaper. Etched on it in elegant gel pen was a set of digits. And a heart. They’d spoken over the phone a lot since then, and met for a few whirlwind dates when either school was competing. But now, now they were meeting up not in school hours, bunking to go to a boba & coffee place together. She felt so alive, like someone had lifted up her soul from her body and she was floating freely among the candyfloss clouds that hung in sparse bunches over the horizon. But there was a worry, a deep and suffocating one, that sat squarely in her chest and didn’t budge. It was the anger of doubt, of wondering if she was unnatural, of fearing her parents wouldn’t understand, of having to keep it all a secret. She finished the doughnut and wrung her hands together, her nails digging into her palms, making deep white marks that drowned out the static inside her.

“Miss, are you okay?”

It came from the salaryman. He’d put his phone down and was looking at her with deep concern through his thick-rimmed glasses.

“Yeah, yeah I’m alright.” She managed to stutter, her hands shooting apart and onto her lap.

“That doughnut for someone?” He, rather redundantly, pointed at the bag with the smiling Mr Doughnut mascot on it.

“Urm, yeah, it’s for a friend.” She said, mostly to the gum on the underside of the salaryman’s seat.

“Well I hope they enjoy it,” He smiled at her, a kindly tired smile, “do you read much poetry?”

The question hit her like a freight train. A salaryman asking a teenager about poetry? She was astonished.

“No, no I don’t really, sorry.” She spurted out.

He leaned forward on his knees and with an exclamation of ‘yoisho’ lifted himself out of his chair and motioned to see if he could sit down next to her. She nodded, like a frightened rabbit.

“Well you should,” he said, sitting down, “it can free one’s mind of all sorts of heavy burdens. Can I read you a haiku?”

She was strangely at ease with this stranger, and so mumbled, “Yes, you may”.

He cleaned his throat and read, from memory;

“Even with insects-

Some can sing

Some can’t

It’s an Issa poem,” he said to her, “ and I think it relates to you somewhat. You seem different to others your age. And that’s fine, I was different once. I was a communist! Or I thought I was at least. And look at me now, huh? Another cog in the machine.”

The machine of the tram ground slowly to a halt and the lilting voice of the automated announcer proclaimed they’d reached Rokkō Island. The few passengers flooded out from the train and made their way out of the station. Passengers going from Rokkō to the mainland queued in orderly lines at the side of the tram doors, waiting for everyone to exit before stepping on. It was an intricate and well-executed dance of etiquette and unspoken rules. The salaryman picked up his briefcase, loosened his tie a bit, and walked off towards the shining sliding doors of his office building. The teen half-walked, half-tripped her way to the coffee shop, her brain was alight with hope and happiness, and all the static washed away on the wind.

The wind had carried the man’s papers far far away and so now he sat in his puffy, uncomfortable swivel chair, awaiting his boss’s arrival with a glum look on his face. His cubicle neighbour and best friend, a man with dyed blonde hair and perfect teeth, was consoling him.

“At least he’ll give you saké, he does that with everyone he fires right?” The guy grinned, leaning over the cubicles.

“I’d rather keep my job than have a bottle of saké, if I’m honest.” His mate glumly replied.

“Well bossman isn’t even here yet, maybe he’s been chopped up by the Yakuza, or run over by a car or-“

And in walked their boss, his tie loose around his neck and an odd spring in his step. He smiled, yes, smiled at them as he passed. When the door of his office was shut, the two men looked at eachother, then looked around at the puzzled looks on the faces of every employee in the room.

“What the hell just happened?”

“I think you’re not getting fired. Or maybe we all are.”

Music began to drift from behind the boss’s door. American music. Rather old.

Tangled Up In Blue by Bob Dylan.

[isaksbestpillow]

Hi! As someone who has contemplated immigrating to a different country, how difficult was it for you to find a job in Japan? And out of curiosity, what field of work was it, was it relevant to your education? Sending you my best wishes for good health :)

Hi! I'm in Japan as a spouse of a japanese national so my visa status isn't dependent on my employment status. I don't know your situation, but my impression is that it's easier to find employment in Japan when you're already in the country. I do freelance work in language related fields. I don't have plans in seeking fulltime employment at Japanese company for now because the working culture is very bad and my physical health cannot take it (I have a physical condition affects my daily life). I don't live in a major city so the job opportunities are limited compared to somewhere like Tokyo, and as such I feel like my lifestyle doesn't really represent the expat scene in Japan and I don't seek out their experiences. My educational background is in east asian studies. My degree doesn't qualify me for a certain job but of course the insight & understanding that I've gained through education is valuable when living in Japan. I speak the language fluently and am able to represent myself in all situations.

All the best to your plans, whatever they may be!

[japanwords]

The Unique Challenges of Renting in Japan — Part 3

Part 3: Dealing with application process

Do you love bureaucracy? Do you love getting hit with weird little charges that no-one told you about before?

If so, why not try renting an apartment in Japan?

All joking aside, Japanese apartments are generally great. If you're planning on staying in Japan for the long-haul I'd recommend renting. It probably will take longer than you're used to though, so to warn other ex-pats I put together this how-to guide on Medium. It ended up being so long that the publishers split it into 3 parts. Here's the last part.

[siderealscribblings]

LeBlanc Coffee and Curry Honolulu, Hawaii 

Jimmy Tanaka’s Japanese was godawful, but he had grandparents that lived in Okinawa so Sojiro made an effort to help him practice. He had done so much evil in his life that a handful of good deeds would do little to cleanse his soul, but Sojiro hoped that the occasional act of kindness would at least earn him a kinder form of damnation. 

Jimmy spoke Japanese with all the hallmarks of a young man alienated from his parents’ culture, drawing out the u in Sojiro’s last name until it sounded like he was saying “Sah-KOO-rah” despite his gentle admonishments. Still, he was a breath of fresh air among the aging Japanese expats and locals that typically flooded his cafe. They would cluster around the front stoop, grousing about tourists and playing cards while they smoked and waited for their orders to arrive.  It wasn’t too popular; Sojiro never made it a point to advertise. Advertising invited unwanted attention, which Sojiro had avoided successfully for years. 

Hiding in a bustling tourist city on American soil offered him more protection than hunkering down in a bolt-hole somewhere in Japan. S.E.E.S. might be bold enough to march armed into hell, but not bold enough to provoke a response from the United States. The rather liberal Yankee gun-policy meant that Sojiro could reliably stow a weapon under his register without too many eyebrows being raised. He had never been a field operative and would likely die in any fair gunfight. But he kept it meticulously oiled and loaded and never far from reach. The other shoe was going to drop someday, and Sojiro would be ready for it when it finally did. 

Until then, he had work to do; at home, and at the restaurant slinging plates of warm curry and hot coffee. 

“Jimmy, order for Table 2!” Sojiro called in Japanese, sliding two katsu curry plates onto a tray and ringing the doorbell. 

“Table…” The young man’s brow furrowed, trying to remember his Japanese. “Ah, naruhodo!” 

Do you really? Sojiro thought, watching the young man walk to Tables 3, 4, and 5 before finally remembering what the Japanese word for two was. Then again Sojiro’s English was only adequate after nearly a decade abroad. Between the two of them, they had enough English and Japanese experience to carry on a full conversation in two broken languages. 

“You get the overseas news, Sa-ku-ra-san?” Jimmy asked as he returned behind the counter. 

“Nah…been busy,” Sojiro grunted in English, cracking open a glass coke bottle and taking a sip. Synthesizing baalsulfuric aether with components outside the Metaverse was impossible, so naturally it took a whole week of sleepless nights to figure out how to do it. “Anything interesting?” 

“Some hella yabai stuff going on,” Jimmy whistled. “Bunch of…uh… thieves?” 

“Thieves?” Sojiro snorted. “What did they steal?” 

“Nothing yet; they’re like crazy, uh… hacker thieves,” Jimmy said after a moment of fumbling with the pronunciation. “Took over a radio station or something I guess; started making threats to the police and a bunch of famous people.” 

“That so?” Sojiro chuckled. Everyone is a drama queen these days. 

“They got a couple of babes with them though,” Jimmy said, scrolling through his phone and pulling up an image clipped from one of the broadcasts. “Check out the blonde in the catsuit.” 

Sojiro sighed, leaning over to look at Jimmy’s phone for a moment before turning back to the stove. “She’s a bit young for me, but I guess she’s up your- wait! ” 

Panic raced through Sojiro as he suddenly reached out and grabbed Jimmy’s phone before he could tuck it away. “Let me see that again.” 

Jimmy’s smirk spread as he passed Sojiro the phone. “Told ya she was hot…though the chick in the biker gear has some nice legs too.” 

Sojiro was half listening, eyes tracing the lines of glowing energy that snaked under the thieves’ masks in disbelief. “H-How long have they been robbing people?! Have they appeared in public or just on the news?! When did they show up?!” 

“Uh…” Jimmy blinked, struggling with the flood of Japanese. “I don’t really know…maybe a few weeks, or so ago? The forums are all buzzing with gossip but- hey!” 

“Watch the shop!” Sojiro called over his shoulder, grabbing his pistol and tucking it into the waistband of his slacks. “And send me that link!” 

Sojiro heard his protegee call something back to him but couldn’t hear what over the pounding in his own ears. The afternoon sun cast long shadows on the sidewalk as he made it towards his car parked in a side-alley. He whipped out a pocket mirror, carefully inspecting the undercarriage for misplaced wiring or lumpy blocks of C4 before sliding into the driver’s seat and tearing out onto the main road. 

Traffic was infuriatingly dense on the way back to his unassuming white house tucked away in the corner of an unassuming neighborhood. The money from his previous career could have furnished beachfront property, yet the small, overgrown home far away from the tourist spots had been perfect. Neighbors were friendly, but old, blind, and hard of hearing; if the gadget in the basement blew up, it would only kill those who had lived full lives already. Heavy iron bars rattled on the front door as Sojiro’s hands shook trying to open it, the eye of a single security camera following him into the house as he slammed and bolted the door behind him. 

"Hey!" Sojiro called into the house. "Get up here; you need to see this!" 

Read More...

Start from the Beginning

[imfromthemiddlekingdom]

I love how my country is showcasing the atrocities that Israel commits by the minuet on national news. I love how I cannot escape the pictures of dead children on my TV when I turn it on to watch the news. I love how my country’s citizens are waking up to the reality that Israel is the modern day equivalent of Japan in their region and that the US is doing nothing but enabling them like the Nazis did Japan back during the war. I love how my people are connecting the suffering of the people in Gaza to our own experience and not letting the Israeli embassy in China forget about it. I love how my people are doing their best to make the Israeli embassy in Beijing own up to their crimes. I love how the connotation of Israel being the second Japan would never be erased from my peoples minds and how, right now, right this second, my people are spitting on their name like we do Japan.

We understand the complete and utter lack of power the people of Gaza are experiencing right now, for a century we have signed unfavorable and unfair treaties that allowed our country to be raped and exploited by bigger and more powerful powers, we understand the complete hopelessness that a people go through when you’re massacred en mass by a more powerful country while the rest of the world watches. And my people see will never forget just what the Israeli government is doing to the people of Gaza. We haven’t forgotten nor have we forgiven the Japanese for their decades of rape and aggression to our people, for us to brand Israel as the same kind of monster we brand the Japanese means we will not forget their careless disregard for life anytime soon either.

We may have had close relationships with Israel before this but with how publicized the genocide is in China right now, the people of China would not rest easy knowing that nothing has been done for the people of Palestine, nor will we lightly forget how brutal this regime is and how much it is alike to our suffering under Japan.

If only Hong Kong can follow the reactions of the mainland since the city is supposed to stand for democracy and peace but alas, most are either ignorant or completely and utterly unrepentant about their support for the state of Israel. I would blame the memory of the British in my city but I know just how much Hong Kongers care about anyone other than themselves when it doesn’t benefit them. There’s barely any news coverage about Gaza in this city, there’s no opposition in the government towards Israel. The western expats are more concerned about their own stability than caring about an active genocide and where they lead the sheep follow.

[emilyofthegreenwood]

Looking for folks to follow!

I came back to Tumblr recently with the intent to be more active, but I also decided to divorce my old blog and start fresh. I don't have time or energy to consider or face myself from 2012-2018. So my dashboard is empty. Interact with this post if you post/reblog things in these categories and I'll check out your blog (and probably follow you)!

Disclaimer: I would like to avoid following anyone under 18, thank you! Additionally, all lesbian/sapphic content must be trans-inclusive.

Robin Hood (the love of my fandom life, but not so much the '73 Disney movie or OUAT)

Taylor Swift

Lesbian/sapphic history

Cottagecore

Bears (and other animals)

Books/reading (leaning into literary fiction, Japanese translated fiction, historical fiction, nonfiction, classics, fantasy, sapphic lit)

Libraries (from a staff/librarian perspective, but some aesthetic is okay!)

Zines/mail art/collage

Knitting/quilting/embroidery/other fiber arts

Medieval history

Fashion history

Lolita/EGL fashion

Japan (culture, language, and photography)

JET Program (or other expats abroad in Japan)

Now if you'll excuse my excessive tagging...

[assassincte]

aesthetic | face | musings

exclusive oc for londonfalling-rpg

⟨ michelle yeoh. cis female. she/her. 61. ⟩ We just saw maria cao ( xīn yán cǎo (欣妍 草) ) entering the one man's trash. I heard through the grapevine that their loyalties lie with the Jolly Rogers and that they also go by sweeney todd . Be careful, they work for them as an assassin and can sometimes be cold, calculating, or even cruel but I’ve also heard some people say that they were loyal, efficient and quite meticulous.— drea. she/they. 40. edt (gmt-5). trypophobia (visual), animal abuse & death, child abuse & pedophilia

there's a dossier included in the layout for her blog but as not everyone goes to look at blogs I'll put that basic information here too.

NAME: maria cao / xīn yán cǎo (欣妍 草) ALIAS: sweeney todd AGE: 61 GENDER: demifem PRONOUNS: she / they OCCUPATION: assassin SEXUALITY demisexual / grey aromantic FACECLAIM: michelle yeoh HEIGHT: 5'6" WEIGHT: 134 lbs HAIR COLOR: black EYE COLOR: brown TATTOOS: for her to know and you to find out SCARS: varied and many PIERCINGS: both ears twice OTHER FEATURES: often times 'dead' eyes POSITIVE TRAITS: loyal, efficient, meticulous NEGATIVE TRAITS: cold, calculating, cruel LIKES: murder, the finer things, playing the game, chaos DISLIKES: rules, order, poverty MBTI: entj BIRTHPLACE: ipoh, malaysia CURRENT HOME: penthouse owned in downtown london NATIONALITY: european citizen (expat of several countries) ETHNICITY: Malayasian / Chinese LANGUAGES: english, french, malay, chinese, japanese, & italian

born to poverty and eventually realizing she much preferred the finer things in life, maria chose to be wealthy instead. it involved utilizing skills she'd learned through the military and her own disillusionment with society as a whole (and her mental disconnect from most of her emotions) to become an assassin of some reputation before her loyalty was claimed by the Jolly Rogers with the understanding that she will still take outside contracts as long as they do not interfere with the tenets of the Jolly Rogers' best interests.

once married to joaquin vidal — the only man she ever loved and is still very much (quietly, sometimes) unhealthily attached to, she now serves herself and the JR and oftentimes spends her free time attending social events to keep up appearances or training in her penthouse (modified to house its own studio for more involved training) — though most notably doing her very best to get under the skin of her former paramour and still (sometimes) friend.

quick connection ideas

public face friends (meaning those she's mostly around for public appearances and 'cover')

friends (limited, she's hard to earn the trust of)

lovers (sex only as she doesn't really do emotions outside of a very specific instance)

co-workers in the jolly rogers who she's grown to like more than just in the sense that they're on the same team

clients

targets (limited but if someone puts a hit out on you she can be the one tasked with it and hasn't pulled the trigger (dad jokes) yet for x reason)

your ideas here, i'm open to hearing anything.

[andreasphilippineslitblog]

Ten Interesting Filipino Novels

1. In the country by Mia Alvar

In The Country is a stunning, lyrical work of fiction presented in the form of nine short stories. In 2016, Mia Alvar put contemporary Filipina authors on the map with her first published piece, giving voice to Filipino men and women in the diaspora. Her short stories about emigrants, wanderers, exiles, and expats across the globe expertly distinguishes the Philippine experience for each protagonist, while upholding the universal likeness of all Filipinos around the world and “in the country.” The tales of a migrant worker in Saudi Arabia, the sighting of a “White Lady,” and a New York pharmacist smuggling drugs to his sickly father in Manila will illicit nostalgia for many Filipinos looking for glimpses of home. (thenextsomewhere.com)

2. Dauntless by Elisa A. Bonnin

Seri’s world is defined by very clear rules: The beasts prowl the forest paths and hunt the People. The valiant explore the unknown world, kill the beasts, and gain strength from the armor they make from them. As an assistant to Eshai Unbroken, a young valor commander with a near-mythical reputation, Seri has seen first-hand the struggle to keep the beasts at bay and ensure the safety of the spreading trees where the People make their homes. That was how it always had been, and how it always would be. Until the day Seri encounters Tsana. Tsana is, impossibly, a stranger from the unknown world who can communicate with the beasts – a fact that makes Seri begin to doubt everything she’s ever been taught. As Seri and Tsana grow closer, their worlds begin to collide, with deadly consequences. Somehow, with the world on the brink of war, Seri will have to find a way to make peace. (yourtitakate.com) 3. America Is Not the Heart by Elaine Castillo

How many lives can one person lead in a single lifetime? When Hero de Vera arrives in America, disowned by her parents in the Philippines, she's already on her third. Her uncle, Pol, who has offered her a fresh start and a place to stay in the Bay Area, knows not to ask about her past. And his younger wife, Paz, has learned enough about the might and secrecy of the De Vera family to keep her head down. Only their daughter, Roni, asks Hero why her hands seem to constantly ache.

Illuminating the violent political history of the Philippines in the 1980s and 1990s and the insular immigrant communities that spring up in the suburban United States with an uncanny ear for the unspoken intimacies and pain that get buried by the duties of everyday life and family ritual, Castillo delivers a powerful, increasingly relevant novel about the promise of the American dream and the unshakable power of the past. In a voice as immediate and startling as those of Junot Díaz and NoViolet Bulawayo, America Is Not the Heart is a sprawling, soulful telenovela of a debut novel. With exuberance, muscularity, and tenderness, here is a family saga; an origin story; a romance; a narrative of two nations and the people who leave home to grasp at another, sometimes turning back. (goodreads.com)

4. When The Elephants Dance by Tess Uriza Holthe

In the waning days of World War II, as the Japanese and U.S. forces battle to possess the Philippine Islands, the Karangalan family hides with their neighbors in a cramped cellar, where they glean hope from the family stories and folktales they tell each other. These stories of love, survival, and family blend the supernatural with the rich, little known history of the Philippines, the centuries of Spanish colonization, the power of the Catholic church, and the colorful worlds of the Spanish, Mestizo, and Filipino cultures.

As the villagers tell their stories in the darkened cellar below, Holthe masterfully weaves in the stories of three brave Filipinos--a teenage brother and sister and a guerilla fighter--as they become caught in the battle against the vicious Japanese forces above ground.

Inspired by her father's firsthand accounts of this period, Tess Uriza Holthe brings to magical and terrifying life a story of the hope and courage needed to survive in wartime. (goodreads.com)

5. Noli Me Tángere (Touch Me Not) by José Rizal

In more than a century since its appearance, José Rizal's Noli Me Tangere has become widely known as the great novel of the Philippines. A passionate love story set against the ugly political backdrop of repression, torture, and murder, "The Noli," as it is called in the Philippines, was the first major artistic manifestation of Asian resistance to European colonialism, and Rizal became a guiding conscience—and martyr—for the revolution that would subsequently rise up in the Spanish province. (goodreads.com)

6. Gun Dealer's Daughter by Gina Apostol

At university in Manila, young, bookish Soledad Soliman falls in with radical friends, defying her wealthy parents and their society crowd. Drawn in by two romantic young rebels, Sol initiates a conspiracy that quickly spirals out of control. Years later, far from her homeland, Sol reconstructs her fractured memories, writing a confession she hopes will be her salvation. Illuminating the dramatic history of the Marcos-era Philippines, this story of youthful passion is a tour de force. (ginaapostol.com)

7. Sophie Go's Lonely Hearts Club by Roselle Lim

A new heartfelt novel about the power of loneliness and the strength of love that overcomes it by critically acclaimed author Roselle Lim.

Newly minted professional matchmaker Sophie Go has returned to Toronto, her hometown, after spending three years in Shanghai. Her job is made quite difficult, however, when she is revealed as a fraud—she never actually graduated from matchmaking school. In a competitive market like Toronto, no one wants to take a chance on an inexperienced and unaccredited matchmaker, and soon Sophie becomes an outcast.

In dire search of clients, Sophie stumbles upon a secret club within her condo complex: the Old Ducks, seven septuagenarian Chinese bachelors who never found love. Somehow, she convinces them to hire her, but her matchmaking skills are put to the test as she learns the depths of loneliness, heartbreak, and love by attempting to make the hardest matches of her life. (goodreads.com)

8. Patron Saints of Nothing by Randy Ribay

Jay Reguero plans to spend the last semester of his senior year playing video games before heading to the University of Michigan in the fall. But when he discovers that his Filipino cousin Jun was murdered as part of President Duterte's war on drugs, and no one in the family wants to talk about what happened, Jay travels to the Philippines to find out the real story.

Hoping to uncover more about Jun and the events that led to his death, Jay is forced to reckon with the many sides of his cousin before he can face the whole horrible truth -- and the part he played in it. (amazon.com)

9. Wicked As You Wish by Rin Chupeco

When a hidden prince, a girl with secrets, a ragtag group of unlikely heroes, and a legendary firebird come together…something wicked is going down. Many years ago, the magical Kingdom of Avalon was left encased in ice when the Snow Queen waged war. Its former citizens are now refugees in a world mostly devoid of magic. Which is why the crown prince and his protectors are stuck in…Arizona. Prince Alexei, the sole survivor of the Avalon royal family, is hiding in a town so boring, magic doesn’t even work there. Few know his secret identity, but his friend Tala is one of them. A new hope for their abandoned homeland reignites when a famous creature of legend, the Firebird, appears for the first time in decades. Alex and Tala must unite with a ragtag group of new friends to journey back to Avalon for a showdown that will change the world as they know it. (yourtitakate.com)

10. The Woman Who Had Two Navels and Tales of the Tropical Gothic by Nick Joaquin

Nick Joaquin is widely considered one of the greatest Filipino writers, but he has remained little-known outside his home country despite writing in English. Set amid the ruins of Manila devastated by World War II, his stories are steeped in the post-colonial anguish and hopes of his era and resonate with the ironic perspectives on colonial history of Gabriel García Márquez and Mario Vargas Llosa. His work meditates on the questions and challenges of the Filipino individual’s new freedom after a long history of colonialism, exploring folklore, centuries-old Catholic rites, the Spanish colonial past, magical realism, and baroque splendor and excess. This collection features his best-known story, “The Woman Who Had Two Navels,” centered on Philippine emigrants living in Hong Kong and later expanded into a novel, the much-anthologized stories “May Day Eve” and “The Summer Solstice” and a canonic play, A Portrait of the Artist as Filipino. As Penguin Classics previously launched his countryman Jose Rizal to a wide audience, now Joaquin will find new readers with the first American collection of his work. (amazon.com)

[piduai]

Men travelling to SEA is heavily associated with sex tourism too. I've heard stories about men going there just to fuck minors (barf)

i think it's a bit of a different issue, sex tourism (loaded ghouls passing borders in order to pay for the right to rape impoverished women and girls, sometimes boys) is definitely a thing that has gained immense popularity in the last few decades, and sea countries are star destinations for that, but it was more about the imperialist mindset of making enough money in your own home country to retire and live like a king in one of the countries whose economies your own people destroyed.

it's disgusting though, in the last decade wife shopping has also been on the rise. americans or western europeans travelling to southeast asia/eastern europe for a "submissive asian/slavic wife", meeting women there, promising them visas in their own rich countries, marrying them and taking them home and deeming themselves their lords and masters. the woman typically doesn't speak the language and has no kin or friends in the new country, so her husband can do to her whatever he wants. it's sickening really and i wish these men, and the rest of the sex tourists, were asked for their purposes when entering the country and shot on sight.

to be honest i think the retirement thing is something rather unique to the japanese. i'm not saying it def does not happen ever, but i find it hard to imagine a wealthy muscovite choosing to pass their last years in mine or any other post-soviet country that is still suffering the consequences of the russian conquest. bri'ish "people" living as expats in india is definitely a thing, but i feel like it's young ones "on spiritual journeys" who go back to their holes after a few years anyway, not a mildly successful ex businessman pension aged fart's first choice retirement plan. frenchoids don't go to algeria, spaniards don't go to el salvador. oh but i did hear about americans retiring in latam countries. as mentioned though for the japanese it happens, i mean it's definitely not all over the place nor THAT often, but it's anecdotal enough for even me to know a real life example. maybe because sea countries are overall popular tourist destinations? the philippines, thailand, vietnam, indonesia are known for their beaches and resorts and laid back lifestyles. old bones seek warmth and relaxation. maybe the tropical climate is also what lures americans into puerto rico... after all "moving close to the sea" IS a retirement fantasy for many people all over the world and has been for hundreds of years. but again this is all but speculative, maybe i'm wrong and it does happen often with other colonizers too idk.