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I hope this email finds you well.
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Here in Tokyo, temperatures are gradually decreasing and crickets are chirping at night, showing that autumn is on its way.
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This month too we have the pleasure to introduce you to two very special interviews.
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For the first one, we have interviewed six people simultaneously as we talked with a part of the crew of the independent Japanese horror movie "Orange Juice." Its members of diverse ages, origins and interests tell us what they care about the most in their job and give their unique point of view on J-horror. Merry and motivated, they offer an exciting talk - if you are not afraid of ghosts!
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For our second interview, we had the pleasure to talk with Richard Berger, who has worked in Japan for decades and offers a lot of valuable insight into the world of translation in Japan. We hope that Richard's candor and sense of humor will entertain you as much as they entertained us.
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Maybe reading Richard's interview will encourage you to pursue Japanese language fluency, but kanji and keigo might give you headaches. Worry not, as we got you covered with a selection of handy Japanese language learning articles that will give you tips on optimizing the way you learn the language, especially its most difficult aspects.
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Amélie, chief editor of Kokoro Media
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"There are also a lot of hardships when filming a movie, like when I am not able to film the scenario as I wanted, or it does not come out as I imagined. Still, I am surrounded by a crew that has the desire to make a good movie and accepts to do what I say."
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“Orange Juice”, despite its cute name, is an independent horror movie that aims for blending the best qualities of Japanese horror movies and Hollywood ones.
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Its director, actresses, makeup, and SFX artists tell what motivates them to be involved in the film and give their unique point of view on J-horror.
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"[To work in the translation industry] the most important thing is to be able to write clearly and concisely in your target language—English, in my case.
You don’t need to be able to speak or read Japanese perfectly as long as you have access to someone or some resource to ensure you’re interpreting the text correctly."
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Director of Communications Richard Berger has worked in Japan for decades and has a fascinating career path that, with 20 years of PR work at Canon, includes plenty of translation.
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Read on to learn how a simple conversation launched Richard’s very own Japan-related career, his advice on becoming a self-made translator, and his thoughts on language learning.
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This Month's Most Read Column
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"During my first year in Japan, I didn’t spend enough time formulating a strategy for learning Japanese. For the most part, I simply learned vocabulary, kanji, and grammar in the order presented in my textbooks. Had I simply stopped to take stock and prioritize all of the words and kanji that frequently appeared in my daily life, I could have picked up the language faster."
When you live in Japan, you need to approach Japanese in a more practical way. Here is how.
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Our Farm
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Each month, receive a piece of the Japanese countryside in your mailbox. Feel relaxed by our partner farmer Masamichi's gentle mood, by the green and the sound of nature. Take a look at how our vegetables are growing and gain some knowledge about Japanese organic farming.
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This time, Masamichi shows us how to harvest edamame so that it stays fresh, and what to do when the shiso starts growing flowers!
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Japanese Language Study Tips
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Each student of the Japanese language has a different way to approach it, and also a different nemesis when it comes to studying it. Is keigo giving you nightmares, are you haunted by kanji, or are your listening skills your worst enemies? Here are a few tips to help you cope with difficult aspects of Japanese language study.
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"Until I got a job where I was expected to speak on par as a native, I was floundering in keigo, as many other non-native learners are as well. However, once I figured out these hacks, I was able to build on them and expand my keigo arsenal.
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Keigo is half-cultural, half-linguistic, with many gray areas existing. However, once you find your first light to the end of the tunnel, the feeling of accomplishment is fantastic."
Keigo—perhaps nothing strikes more fear in learners of Japanese. Here are a few hacks that will help you become a keigo master.
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Just because it takes effort doesn’t mean the art of translation can’t be fun! Podcasts are a fantastic resource for language learning.
Here are three recommended podcasts that can help you level up your Japanese translation skills and enjoy yourself in the process.
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Visit any internet forum on Japanese learning and you'll discover endless debates regarding the best way to master the 2,136 joyo kanji.
In this article, Anthony introduces two of the most popular ways for busy professionals to learn kanji and how you can determine which method is right for you.
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If you enjoy this email, please consider forwarding it to someone who would also appreciate it. If you were forwarded this email, you can sign up to receive it by clicking here.
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If you like what we do, you can support us by buying us a coffee (or rather, green tea). We would be grateful for your contribution!
Your donations will help us invest in our writers, technology, and more, so that we can bring you stories from the farthest reaches of Japan.
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Do not hesitate to give your opinion on this newsletter by writing to us at info-media@kokoro-jp.com.
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