Since I was a child, I’ve always loved Halloween. I love the costumes. I love the spooky decorations. I love the parties. And of course I love the candy! In fact, it is probably safe to say, that one of the first things that attracted me to my husband is his love for Halloween.

Recently Halloween is becoming more and more popular in Japan. In the weeks leading up to October 31st, it is common to see children dressed up in costumes for a Halloween party and shops decorated with Jack-o-lanterns. Unfortunately, there is one custom hasn’t made its way to Japan, and that’s Trick-or-Treating.

Just after dark on October 31st, my sister and I would put on the costumes that my mom had made or bought for us and go out Trick-or Treating. With our special bags (usually the biggest ones that we could find) in hand, we would walk around our neighbourhood collecting candy. I was always a bit shy at the first few houses and usually let my sister ring the doorbell. When the person answered, we would hold out our candy bags and shout, “TRICK-OR-TREAT!” and they would drop some candy or chocolate into our bags. My mom would wait for us at the end of the person’s driveway (usually chatting with other parents) and we would run back and show her what we got. Then we were off to the next house.

Some people would put up elaborate decorations around their yard, and it was like walking into a haunted house. It could be a little scary, but as we knew there was candy waiting for us, so we were always brave enough to run up and ring the doorbell. As we got older, my mother stopped coming with us, and my sister and I would go out with our friends. Eventually we got too old and had to give up Trick-or-Treating, but that hasn’t stopped me from wearing a costume every year.

I have such wonderful memories of Trick-or-Treating with my sister, and I hope that the custom catches on in Japan so that I can take my son out someday. Until then, we will have to be satisfied with dressing up at home and going to Halloween parties.

Hi! It’s me, Chris, back from a long relaxing vacation in New York and Virginia.

My flight to America was not direct. I had a layover in Shanghai. So it took me 20 hours to get home, and the trip back was even longer!

I went home to visit family and for my cousin’s wedding. The ceremony was outside, in the morning, on a beautiful sunny day. At noon we had the reception (food, drinks, dancing, bouquet toss, speeches) inside.

Afterwards, she and her husband (I’m still not used to saying that) went to Hawaii for their honeymoon. Of course, my aunts and uncles were asking me and my other cousins who will be getting married next.

My cousin’s wedding was one of the highlights of my trip back to America. Now I want to go to different weddings and see how people from different countries celebrate!

Here are some pictures that I took at the wedding, enjoy!

These are the bridesmaids and groomsmen – special friends and family of the bride and groom that stand together with them during the ceremony. My sister was a bridesmaid; it was her job to help my cousin make preparations for the wedding and get ready on the wedding day.

Here is my cousin and her husband just after they got married. Look how happy they are! This is their wedding cake.

This is me, my mom, dad and sister at the reception.

Here is my cousin tossing her bouquet. It is said that the woman that catches the bouquet will be the next person to get married.

何と色彩豊かなお料理！ ——— パーティの開始直前に並べられたお料理を見て、今回もまたまた感動！　ゆで卵の黄色、プルーンソースの紫色、マリネされた人参のオレンジ色、新鮮なグリーンサラダの緑色、マッシュポテトの白色、トマトソースの赤色、等々。今回の展示タイトル ‘oodles!’ という名に相応しい、色鮮やかでたくさんのお料理をご用意くださったのは、料理家・櫻井絵里子さん。イマジン語学スタジオのご近所でお料理教室等を運営されています。実はあるご縁で櫻井さんのお料理教室に生徒としてお邪魔したところ、学生時代の同じクラブの先輩だったことが判明。およそ二十年ぶりの、思い掛けない再会でした。櫻井さんにケータリングしていただいたお料理は、五感で楽しむことができ、全て美味しくいただきました。お料理の詳細は 櫻井さんの 2014.06.09 のダイアリー で、メニューと合せてご覧ください。

今回もたくさんの方々がお越しくださり、素敵なお料理やワインを囲んでの初夏の夜会を過ごすことが出来ました。お集りくださった皆さま、ありがとうございます。この場を借りて御礼申し上げます。次の新しい展示は 2014年9月初旬から、パーティは 2014年9月7日(日)の予定です。 皆さまのお越しを心よりお待ち申し上げます。

作家さんの諸事情により、今回の展示は 6月15日までとなりました。悪しからずご了承をお願い申し上げます。イマジン語学スタジオが開講する前のような、内装が仕上がって展示物の無い真っ白な空間と、こちらもまた久しぶりに出会いました。内壁は6年を経て、数々の展示によってネジ・釘打ちによる穴や汚れなど、この機会に少しずつ手をかけようと思います。

Hello everyone! I’m Chris and I’m from New York City. Pleased to meet you!

I have been living in the Kansai area of Japan for 3 years in total. I first came to Japan in 2006. At that time, I was an exchange student at Kansai Gaidai University, and I lived with a host family in Hirakata city for one year. In 2012, I came back to Japan to find work and continue studying and practicing Japanese as well as my other hobbies.

I have many different hobbies and interests that are sports and art-related. Some of the things that I like to do are play basketball, billiards, dance, and do Japanese calligraphy.

I started Japanese calligraphy (Shodou) when I went to Kansai Gaidai, but I have always been interested in different writing styles; English cursive and Old English (a style used on official documents like diplomas) are just two examples. I am very interested in Japanese calligraphy because it is also seen as a type of art, and there are many different styles. I one day hope to improve my skill and get a ranking.

When you see me around imagine* I hope that you’ll introduce yourself. I look forward to meeting everyone!

料理人もアーティストだなぁ —— というのは、今回のパーティで
より一層感じたことです。

先日、佐藤未知子さんによる新しい展示「Somewhere」のレセプションパーティを、イマジン語学スタジオの６周年も兼ねておこないました。パーティのケータリングを「甘空（あまそら）」さんにお願いしたのですが、彼女のお料理は本当に見て楽しめ、食べて幸せにしてくれるものでした。２時間半をかけて丁寧に飾り付けされ、まるでケーキのデコレーションのように、テーブルの上に並べられたお料理は圧巻でした。どれもこれもかわいくて、飾り付けだけでなくそのお味も、参加いただいた皆さまから大好評でした。

農家さんから直接仕入れた食材は厳選されていて、新鮮なだけでなく、その素材を活かして丁寧に調理された姿勢を、お料理から感じました。甘空さんが最も得意とするデザートには、桜あんをはさんだ抹茶マカロンも！　そのマカロンには６周年のお祝いにと、「imagine*」「６」「祝」の文字をそれぞれ飾ってくださいました。ロゴの表象も忠実に再現されて、本当に感動！　お料理に合うワインをソムリエの「Le Bouquet」さんにご用意いただき、そして天然酵母のパンも添えて、今回も素敵なお食事を囲みながら、メンバーの皆さま同士で賑わう交流の場になったことは言うまでもありません。ご参加くださった皆さま、甘空さん、 Le Bouquet さん、本当にありがとうございました。

また、６周年にちなんで６種類の天然酵母のパンをお土産にとご用意しました。イマジン語学スタジオの英会話レッスンは、メンバーさん個々人に合せてカスタマイズできることから、お好きなパンを選んでそれぞれを持って帰ってもらいたいという計らい。タグは、展示作家 佐藤さんにデザインいただきました。佐藤未知子さんは、神戸で活動されている絵描きさんです。アクリル絵の具を使った優しい色使いの作品を展示いただきました。展示作品は2014年６月上旬までとなります。

次回のレセプションパーティは６月上旬を予定しています。次回もメンバーの皆さまに楽しんでいただけるパーティを企画中です。また、来年の７周年に向けて、より一層邁進して参りたいと思います。ご支援のほど宜しくお願い申し上げます。

If you have ever had an English lesson at imagine* then you know that we always ask, “Would you like tea or water?” at the beginning. Of course, sometimes students don’t want something to drink at that time, and that’s OK. We hope that you don’t feel uncomfortable refusing a drink and worry that it might be rude. Please don’t worry – saying, “No thank you.” is a perfectly polite response. If you feel like challenging yourself a little, or trying something new, then you could try saying: “I’m set, thanks.” In this case, set means “OK”, and it is a polite and popular phrase that is used instead of, “No thank you.” in America.

Starting in September of last year, we have given you another reason to say, “Tea, please.” when we ask what you want. We have stopped serving bottled 伊藤園 お〜い お茶 and Midori has started preparing imported organic tea from the nearby shop Uf-fu ( ウーフ ). These teas are much fresher and tastier, and we change them every month so there is always something new to try! In September we began with Rooibos tea from South Africa. In October we had Oolong with orange from Taiwan. After that Rooibos returned, but the November version had ginger. December’s tea was a blend of Chamomile and Darjeeling and throughout January we have been serving a very fine Jasmine tea.

What will the tea be in February? That’s a secret! You will need to come and find out; I always look forward to it. Finally, remember if you just want water, we still have that too. Or you can say, “I’m set, thanks.” but I hope you will at least try the next new tea with me.

amaLaine（アマレーヌ）によるモロッコのラグ（絨毯）やバブーシュ（スリッパ）等の展示がはじまりました。ラグに使われている生地は草木染めによる、自然で落ち着いた色合いがとても優しい印象を受けます。

amaLaine はラグが作られているモロッコのベルベル村へ直接買い付けに行かれて、セレクトし、フェアトレードで輸入販売されています。そのため、通常のキリム等に比べてもお値段がとてもとてもリーゾナブル。大変ご好評をいただいて、展示と同時に幾つかのご注文をいただきました。今回の展示名、’ afous-g-oufous ‘ は、ベルベル語で『手に手をとって』という意味だそうです。展示は2014年3月上旬まで開催いたします。

先日12月8日に開催した Launch party（レセプションパーティ）では、アフリカンバティックを使ってラクダのお守りを作るワークショップを企画し、また、モロッコのミントティーをお越し頂いた方々に振る舞いました。モロッコでお茶といえば甘いミントティーだそうで、可愛らしいグラスもご用意いただき、モロッコの気分を満喫しながらのパーティとなりました。

ミントティーは、ガンパウダーという中国緑茶を生の葉のミント（ハーブ生葉）に注いで煎れる方法で、甘さは本場よりも控えてくださり、とても美味しくいただきました。今回のミントの生の葉は、兵庫県姫路市にてハーブと西洋野菜のフード研究・生産・販売をされておられる「シャンデエルブ」田中さんからのもので、本当に良質なミントを送ってくださいました。自然農で作られたミントなだけに、スタジオ中は香りが立ってとても癒されるものでした。

レセプションパーティ後は、イマジンのメンバーを対象とした夜のもうひとつのパーティ、“A Night in Morocco”を開催。阪急芦屋川近くの British Pub「Clapham Inn」の店主、伊藤シェフにモロッコ料理のメニューを特別にご用意していただきました。焼きナスのペースト、モロッカンサラダ、ハリッサマヨネーズソースを付けて食べるマッコーダ（じゃがいものコロッケ）、エビとズッキーニのタジン風、牛肉のケフタ等々。スパイスの効いたお料理は大変美味しく、モロッカンな夜をご参加いただいた方々と共に過ごすことができました。

モロッカン・ナイトを支えてくれた方々は他にも、お料理内容に合せて「イツキベーカリー」からはモロッコのパンをオリジナルで焼いてくださり、ワインバー「Le Bouquet」オーナーソムリエからはワインをセレクト、おかげさまでメンバーが集う新たな交流空間となりました。

英語ではないといけないルールはもちろんまったく無く、普段のレッスンの悩み等についてお互いに真面目に話し会ったり、最近のテレビやニュースネタ、政治、海外情勢、仕事、健康面のこと、文化、お店や趣味など興味の幅を広げたり、子どもはすぐに仲良くなってはじけていたり、お食事やワインを囲みながらさまざまな話題が飛び交っていました。

次回イマジンの Launch party は2014年3月上旬に、新たな展示と合わせて、イマジン語学スタジオ6周年となるパーティを予定しています。どうぞ、お楽しみに。

Our most recent art exhibition was launched at a party on the evening of 8th September, and what a monster of a good time it was! The artist this time is a young woman from Taiwan who goes by the penname of Sieii Nidosani. She has practiced calligraphy since the age of 12, graduated from the calligraphy department of the National Taiwan University of arts in 2011, and earned her masters from The Kobe University of Design just this year.

It is no surprise then that her work draws heavily on the art of calligraphy, but what she produces is a surprisingly fresh mix of cultures and style. Most of her work is mounted backdrops like those of traditional Japanese wall scrolls, but the charcoal ink paintings themselves contain very modern characters she refers to as “monsters.” She uses brush strokes of varying pressure no doubt mastered during her long years of calligraphy training, and accents the otherwise black and white art with subtle flares of color that tie the compositions together.

Guests at our party who were bold enough could request a free portrait, and more than a dozen people did! The monsters Sieii Nidosani painted for them, like all her others, were more cute than they were scary. Perhaps the only frightening thing about them was how close they came to representing the hearts of each subject. I spoke with one student who was quite moved after she received her portrait monster. The student explained to me that while the monster looked nothing like her, every element of the art represented her character in some way, and she was amazed that the artist could do this when they had only just met!

Aside from the free portraits there was gourmet coffee available, and guests were able to enjoy all the things that have become expected at our parties: free wine and beer, delicious organic homemade baked goods for sale and sample, provided kindly made by our resident baker, Itsuki, and the international atmosphere! There was the Taiwanese artist and her Polish husband as well as guests who came from as far away as South America, and of course there were the staff members from Australia, Canada and the USA.

So whether you are one of our Yoga students, one of our English students, or you just happen to be in the area and feel like enjoying some fine art and refreshment, please stop by for our next party, scheduled for the early evening of Decemeber 8th – I hope to see you there!

I’m writing this on a rainy day in June, but my thoughts are already of sunnier days in August. Many things come to mind, like fireworks and beaches, but today I’ll write about dancing!

Carnival, in Brazil, is the world’s largest dance festival, but did you know that the Awaodori, right here in Japan, is the second largest in the world? A few summers ago I traveled to join that festival in Tokushima. But the Awaodori is not the only dance festival on Shikoku in August! I also went to the Yosakoi festival a few hours farther south in Kochi city!

So, which would I recommend? Well, it depends on what you like…

The Awaodori is more traditional, so if you want to enjoy music, dance and costumes that have come to us from ancient times, then go to Tokushima. The Yosakoi is a modern version of the Awaodori that began around the 1950’s. The music is louder and mixes in elements of rock. The dances are faster and crazier, and the costumes are wilder and more colorful. So, if you like the excitement and originality of this newer style, go to Kouchi!

Ah, but do you want to dance, or just watch? I think that the Yosakoi is more about watching; you can stand in one place while the dance groups move past you down the street in a parade with trucks that carry their giant speakers. Not so many of the people watching were dancing. On the other hand, at the Awaodori, the people watching often join with the dancers. It’s easy to copy the slower Awaodori dancers, and as the night gets later and you have more drinks, it begins to feel like one huge and welcoming party.

As for me? I preferred the Yosakoi. The main reason is that the Awaodori was simply too crowded. Unlike the Yosakoi, the Awaodori dances happen in many parts of the city, and moving to them is difficult with so many people. It was easier for me to just relax at the Yosakoi. And although Kochi is farther than Tokushima, I thought it was more convenient. If you don’t book a hotel months in advance, then you will have no place to sleep after the Awaodori. However, I was able to reserve a hotel room in Kochi when I arrived there at 6pm!

Of course, if you can go to both, then do so! But if you can choose only one, then I hope this review will help you decide! And whatever you do, have a happy summer!

フェルトアーティスト 木村奈央さんの作品によって、イマジン語学スタジオのギャラリーは衣替えされました。その展示替えに伴っての恒例のレセプションパーティが、2013年6月9日(日)に行われました。

今回の展示タイトルは「Imagine」。木村さんが大好きな言葉だそうです。そのタイトル名に相応しく、想像力をかき立てられそうな作品が並びました。木村さんは日本国内だけでなく、イタリアやベルギー等、海外でのインスタレーション作品の出展経験もある作家さんです。彼女の作品の完成度、表現力の豊かさは大変素晴らしく、イマジン語学スタジオのメンバーの方々からも大変好評です。

スタジオの空間にはフェルトのたくさんの蝶が飛び交い、ライトの陰影で実物よりも大きな蝶の影が天井や壁に映し出され、インスタレーションという表現手法によってとても素敵な空間となっています。
イマジン語学スタジオはギャラリーだけでなく、英会話、ヨガ教室も行ってますし、当スタジオのメンバーの中には、車椅子を利用する方や小さい子どもをベビーカーで連れて来られる方もいらっしゃる等々をお伝えし、作品の展示にはご配慮いただきました。立体の作品は平面とは違って、ひとつひとつの作品がそれぞれに展示されてはいますが、私にはスタジオ内一体でひとつの作品のように思えてなりません。かわいいとか綺麗なだけでなく、西洋と東洋の対照等を、このインスタレーション作品からは色々と学ぶことができます。

レセプションパーティでは、木村さんによるワークショップで参加者らがフェルトでピンバッチを製作しました。作家さんから直接ご指導をいただき、子どもも大人もとても充実したワークショプとなりました。前回に引き続いて、天然酵母パンのイツキベーカリーさん、自家焙煎の珈琲 miepump さんにもご参加いただきました。有難うございました。

木村さんの展示「Imagine」は、2013年9月初旬までの予定となります。作品の見学だけでも、どうぞお気軽にお立ち寄りください。