Author Archives: phillipsauve

Language Study: Learning Kanji

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KanjiThere are many ways to approach the daunting task of learning the 2,136 joyo (常用/regular use) kanji of the Japanese language.  The first thing to remember is that this will be a process; there’s a reason why Japanese is ranked in the third and most difficult group of languages to learn (for native English speakers) according to the US State Department, so don’t get frustrated if you aren’t making progress as fast as you had hoped.  I have tried to organize and summarize some of the most popular studying approaches to save you time once you begin your quest to learn Japanese kanji.
Secondly, no one way is necessarily better than the other.  However, there are methods that are more suitable depending on how you use (or plan to use) Japanese in your daily life.  Keep in mind your own particular study habits, and how you tend to learn the best.  These are the four most common ways to tackle learning kanji based on my own experiences studying in the US and in Japan:

  1. By order of frequency
  2. The textbook
  3. The Japanese Way
  4. The Heisig Method

Before we jump in, here are some general tips on making whichever method you choose more effective:

  1. Read A LOT
    The more you are exposed to different characters in various compounds and their situational usage, the more comfortable you will feel with the characters and the language.  Japanese texts and reading passages can be found anywhere.  After acquiring a base of 100-150 characters you should be ready to comprehend some simple articles.  There are several news websites aimed at Japanese children that are great places to get articles like Asahi Kodomo and Yahoo Kids.  Try the regular Asahi site or Yomiuri for advanced readers.  Some other resources are Amazon.co.jp, your textbook (I highly recommend the Minna no Nihongo textbooks), and the library (good libraries should have a section of books in foreign languages).
  2. Learn to Write the First 250 Characters
    Each character is made of radicals and various similar components.  After you learn the basic kanji and their proper stroke order you don’t need to learn how to write the rest.  The more complicated characters will be made through combinations of the basic components.  Stroke order is important to learn when you first begin, because not only will it help you when you begin to write more complicated kanji but it just looks funny if you write kanji in the incorrect order.  It would be similar to seeing someone writing an ‘S’ in English and starting from the bottom and snaking your pencil line up.  It’s good to learn how to write the basics, but beyond that you should not concern yourself too much with writing the characters unless you plan on handwriting letters in Japanese for the rest of your life.  With computers and cell phones you aren’t likely to be writing the characters much, and if you do ever need to you’ll know how to write all the basic components of each character.
  3. Know the Readings
    When you learn a new kanji make sure you know ALL of the readings for that character.  This will make learning new kanji compounds in the future much easier.  Invest a little more time now and save yourself the headaches later on. Continue reading →

Detroit: Finally Some Recognition For What Is Happening

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The city of Detroit often comes under the radar of the national media for what is not happening in the city.  Ruin, degradation, and decline are some of the common terms that are used to describe the city.  Yet, more and more people are realizing the city’s potential.  The city already has a vast deal of urban farms, and soon will add the world’s largest urban farm to that resume.  And there are artists from all over the world seeing the opportunities that are available in the city, which is why it was great to see this 30-minute documentary from Palladium Boots (hosted by none other than Johnny Knoxville) talking about what is going on in Detroit.  Check it out.

How to Make $80 (or more) Per Hour By Applying Minimalist Techniques

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I’ve moved twice in the past month and a half and have learned a few things in the process: summers are real hot in D.C., your bags should always fly free, second chances don’t come often, and the more stuff you have the harder it is to move around.  I have spent part of the last few weeks trying to cut down on the amount of stuff I own by applying minimalist principles to keep possessions to a manageable amount (i.e. an amount that fits in two suitcases).  I’ve cut this extra weight by recycling, donating, gifting, and selling various possessions.  For selling things I have primarily used eBay, although there are various other options (Craigslist, Amazon, etc).  Here is the step-by-step process I used to make $60 yesterday selling old basketball trading cards for only 45 minutes of work. Continue reading →

In the regional newspaper for calligraphy work

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The following is an article I was featured in from the Sanriku Shimpo, a regional newspaper in the northeastern part of the Miyagi prefecture:

(A translated version can be found below)

Japanese calligraphy article

Article from the Sanriku Shimpo, July 24th, 2010

English Teacher Reaches Sho-dan in Japanese Calligraphy

July 24, 2010

Phillip Sauvé, an ALT (Assistant Language Teacher) in Motoyoshi, Kesennuma, recently reached sho-dan (first grade master) in Japanese calligraphy through the Japan Calligraphy Education Foundation.  He also received a license to teach elementary calligraphy.  Phillip is captivated by Japan’s traditional arts.  Even though he will retire from the ALT position and leave Motoyoshi next week on July 26th, he says he would like to continue practicing Japanese calligraphy after he returns to America.

Phillip was appointed the ALT of the former town of Motoyoshi in August of 2007.  In addition to teaching English at the town’s kindergartens, elementary, and junior high schools for the past three years, he also deepened his cultural exchange by partaking in the basketball club activities at the junior high schools.

He began learning Japanese calligraphy around October of 2008.  “While I was living in Japan, I wanted to learn one of Japan’s traditional arts,” said Phillip.  He started going to local calligraphy master Tetsuo Sato’s calligraphy classes once a week.

At first his goal was to learn a part of traditional Japanese culture, but he steadily became completely absorbed in calligraphy and decided to challenge himself within the Japan Calligraphy Education Foundation’s level ranking system.   After only a year and eight months of practicing Japanese calligraphy he has reached the sho-dan level, as well as Continue reading →

Saying Farewell in Japanese: A Simple Japanese Goodbye Speech to Your School

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Here’s a speech to use when saying goodbye to your school in Japanese.  It is a simple and respectful speech that expresses your gratitude while not getting too sappy.  Feel free to borrow from it!

(Translation at the bottom)

皆さん、おはようございます。いつも＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿（School name）に来るのを楽しみにしていました。＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿（School name）のみなさんいつも明るく元気いっぱいで迎えてくれました。面白い経験と日本の生活は一生忘れません。特に英語の先生方には大変お世話になりました。生徒の皆さん、これからも、英語を楽しんで勉強して下さい。校長先生、教頭先生、そして先生方、___(number of years)年間大変お世話になりました。どうもありがとうございました。

（ひらがな）

みなさん、おはようございます。
いつも＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿　にくるのをたのしみにしていました。＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿のみなさん、いつもあかるくげんきいっぱいでむかえてくれました。おもしろいけいけんとにほんのせいかついっしょうわすれません。とくにえいごのせんせいがたにはたいへんおせわになりました。せいとのみなさん、これからもえいごをたのしんでべんきょうしてください。こうちょうせんせい、きょうとせんせい、そしてせんせいがた、___ねんかんたいへんおせわになりました。どうもありがとうございました。

（English）

Good morning everyone.
I have always had such a fun time coming to this school.  You all always greet me with a lot of energy.  I will never forget my interesting experiences and my life in Japan.  Thank you especially to the English teachers for looking after me.  To all the students, please continue to study English.  To the principal, vice-principal and all the other teachers, thank you for your help and support over the past ___ year(s).  Thank you very much!

Japanese Calligraphy Update: Sho-dan

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ちしゃはいわず

He who knows does not (care to) speak (about it)

As I had previously posted here, I am running out of time to reach my goal of sho-dan in Japanese calligraphy.  Well, my test paper from June came back and…
I did it!  I moved up to the sho-dan ranking!

Mission: accomplished.

I got a phone call from my sensei— only the second time he’s called me in the past two years– to let me know as soon as the results came back.  I could sense the excitement in his voice as well; he was very proud of what I had done.  He wants to get a story in the local newspaper (hopefully this pans out).  What a great feeling it is.  There is nothing more rewarding than the feeling you get when accomplishing one of your goals.

As part of earning the sho-dan ranking I got a certificate verifying that I have completed this level as well as a license to teach primary Japanese calligraphy.  Now it is time to think of where to go from here.  I have come this far and I would like to continue practicing shuji when I return to America next month.  I must find a teacher or perhaps a long-distance education program where I can do monthly tests on my own and mail them in.  It would also be fun to teach American children shuji.  These are just a few ideas I’ve had about what to do after I return to the U.S.  For now though, I shall bask in this feeling.

sho-dan certificate

My sho-dan certificate

teaching license

My teaching license

Saying Goodbye the Japanese Way

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Over the next few days and weeks I’ll be coming across the last of many things.  There will be last classes, the last time visiting the three schools I work at, a last time in Motoyoshi, one last surf, my last calligraphy lesson, the last time driving my fantastic Honda Civic, and countless others.  It’s a very sad time because after all that I’ve done and experienced, it is coming to an end.  Will I come back to Motoyoshi?  Of course I will, someday.  But that could be in a year, or it could be in twenty years.  Things will be different then.  The time has come to say goodbye to what has been my life, my world for the past three years, and look forward to the next chapter in my life.  But I can’t just say goodbye anyway I please- showing respect is of utmost importance.  And in Japan that means giving lots of speeches, gifts, and having a few formal farewell drinking parties.

The Speeches

There are going to be many speeches.  Two speeches are given at each school; one to the entire student body and one in the staffroom to all of your colleagues.  There is also a speech for the people in charge of you at the board of education.  There is a farewell party with each school and most of your social circles, which all require a speech.  So why not just use the same speech?  While it might be tempting to try to use the same speech over and over, there are several reasons why this is not a good idea.  Different speeches, using varying levels of polite language will convey different (but very important) levels of respect.  You’re not going to want to come off sounding stiff and formal in front of a room full of junior high students, the same way you don’t want to sound like you’re talking with your best friend when addressing your school principal.

The Gifts

It wouldn’t be Japan without some sort of gift-giving taking place.  When you go on a trip it is standard to bring back a little gift for your co-workers.  The gifts say I’m sorry for inconveniencing you with the time I took off of work.  Leaving the workplace is no different.  It is proper decorum to bring a little gift for your colleagues. Sweets and snacks are the best for this purpose.  There are packages of sweets specifically made for these occasions and they are available anywhere throughout the country.

There are also the non-obligatory gifts that you want to give to those who you have gotten close to or those who have really helped you out a lot.  People like your supervisor, landlord, English teachers who you’ve worked directly with on a daily basis, and students you’ve gotten to know well.  A picture with a short message is a good idea.  A handwritten letter is also fitting for those who’ve helped you out a bit more.

The Enkais

An enkai is a Japanese drinking party.  There are several occasions where it is standard practice to have one of these, including when saying farewell to a colleague or friend.  This type of enkai is called a soubetsukai.  There will be a soubetsukai with probably every social circle you are a part of in Japan.  There is an soubetsukai with each school staff room, your board of education, past co-workers, other foreign assistant language teachers, and any sports or hobby groups you have been a part of.  What happens at these parties?  You sit at the head of the table and are roasted in Japanese.  Not really.  Actually you have a nice dinner, people thank you for being around and all you’ve done.  They’ll give you a little going away present (hopefully something that will fit in your luggage to take home), and then you’ll give your speech.  All the while people are drinking, often heavily to make use of the dinner’s two-hour nomihodai (all-you-can-drink).  In the end it turns out to be a relaxed and fun night, a great way to say goodbye the Japanese way.

Surfing: I'm Loving It

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The sun is shining down.  There are a few seagulls flying back and forth overhead; and the air is filled with a moist, salty sea breeze.  Straddling the board like a marine cowboy, you wait during a lull in the waves for the next good one, your next good ride.  Then you see it, coming toward you from the horizon.  As the wave rolls closer and closer it gathers size and speed.  Isei Hama beachYour excitement builds in anticipation.  When it gets a little closer you lie down on the board and start to paddle hard and fast.  You feel the wave cross your feet and move up your legs.  You paddle frantically for one last final push.  Then it’s time.  You grab the rails of the board and pop up, swinging your feet under your body.  You’re standing on the surfboard now; but you might as well be on top of the world, because that’s how you feel at this moment.  You are doing the impossible– standing on water.  Surfing is one of man’s many attempts to overcome the forces of nature.  But in this case, there is no heavy machinery, or big engines required.  It’s just you and the board floating around in a huge ocean…

The following are six reasons why I love surfing and can’t get enough of it!

“My Secret Place”

I’m going to take you to my special place, It’s a place that you, Like no one else I know, Might appreciate.

– Joni Mitchell, My Secret Place

I live in Motoyoshi, a small coastal town in northern Japan.  It’s not actually a ‘secret place’, but it certainly isn’t very well-known outside of Miyagi prefecture.  My apartment is in Tsuya, the central part of town, and a five to ten minute drive from two good surfing spots.  One of those spots is Koizumi beach, where occasionally even pro Japanese surfers will show up.  There is a cute little surf shop, the only one in the area, across the street from the entrance to the beach.  It’s called Kabuto Mushi, named after the rhinoceros beetle, a beastly little creature in and of itself.  I can surf any day I want with good surfers around Continue reading →

習字：Japanese Calligraphy

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calligraphy

"The tall, cloud-covered mountains stretch out far into the distance"

What is 習字 (shuji)?

Shuji (Japanese calligraphy) is the skillful writing of kanji characters in a way that gives them balance and expression.  It is not just writing a character on a piece of paper though.  It is much more than that.  Each stroke has a a proper way to begin and end and there is a correct order and path to follow.  It takes lots of time and practice to master, and it’s essential to focus.  The slightest lapse in concentration will show in one’s work.

Calligraphy was introduced in Japan around 600 AD, but dates back to the BC era in China.  It is now a required subject in elementary and junior high school in Japan, as part of the Japanese language curriculum.  In high school it is offered as an art course.  It can be difficult for the untrained eye to appreciate the delicate curves of each stroke or the intricacies and subtle beauty of the perfect stop, both of which contribute to the proper balance of each character.

The following are the few items needed to practice shuji:

  1. calligraphy brush (筆, fude)
  2. calligraphy ink, available already in liquid form or as a stick (墨, sumi)
  3. inkstone, to grind the ink stick on (硯, suzuri)
  4. Japanese washi paper, not rice paper (和紙, washi)
  5. felt mat (下敷, shitajiki)
  6. paperweight (文鎮, bunchin)

There are three styles to Japanese calligraphy writing: block printed style (楷書, kaisho), semi-cursive style (行書, gyosho), and cursive style (草書, sosho).  All learners of shuji begin with the block printed style and work their way up toward the more difficult styles.

What I’ve Been Doing

I wanted to learn one of Japan’s traditional art forms while I was here, and shuji seemed like the perfect fit.  I’ve always had an interest in the arts (it runs in the family), but I’ve never had the patience or time to fully develop this interest.  Shuji combines my interests in Japan along with fine art excellently.

Since November of 2008 I have been studying shuji from one of my neighbors, a level 8 shuji master (the highest rank), Continue reading →