"The Journey Towards Inclusive Bilingual Sign Language Schools - Case Study of Meisei Gakuen"

Posted by Visual Anthropology of Japan on Thursday, February 11, 2021

Source: https://www.facebook.com/Wfdeaf.org

"The Legal Recognition of National Sign Languages"

The World Federation of the Deaf is pleased to continue to provide updated information regarding countries that have legally recognised their national sign languages. This infographic shows which UN Member States have explicit legislation that clearly recognises the language as a distinct language for all deaf people in that country. Many other countries have laws which implicitly or partially recognise their national sign language(s) by way of interpreting or education for deaf children. These laws are not included here.

Here you can review the former infographic of 2017: https://wfdeaf.org/news/resources/infographics-legal-recognition-sign-languages-type-legislation/?fbclid=IwAR0rIM_XdxDow58ThiL0wBFzFSdg2lC7w4958lOd-dvxR_XnwKdoYwSQPno

More information on the 58 countries that currently recognise a sign language can be found here: https://wfdeaf.org/news/the-legal-recognition-of-national-sign-languages/?fbclid=IwAR1wW4JAmqx6-dbHl-zKX_LvfjesiWhbMsJ-LC1okPFr8Da_KGHL1QnuqRg

Source: https://www.facebook.com/Wfdeaf.org

Thanks to Soya Mori for sharing this.

"No hugs or high-fives, but 150,000 condoms will be given out at Tokyo Olympics"

Photo and text from Japan Today, 2/10/21.

No socializing, no handshakes and definitely no hugs -- that's what athletes at the coronavirus-postponed Tokyo Olympics can expect this summer, according to a virus rulebook released Tuesday by organizers.

The 33-page document -- the last in a series of "playbooks" drawn up in a bid to ensure the Games can go ahead safely -- also warns athletes they could be kicked out of their events if they break strict anti-virus rules.

Under the guidelines, athletes will be tested for the virus at least once every four days, and will be barred from competing if they return a confirmed positive test.

Their time in Japan will be "minimized to reduce the risk of infection," and those staying at the Olympic Village will be expected to "avoid unnecessary forms of physical contact."

Organizers told AFP on Tuesday that they still plan to hand out around 150,000 free condoms to athletes, but the new rulebook urges them to "limit your contact with other people as much as possible."

"If you have been to the Games before, we know this experience will be different in a number of ways," the guidebook warns. "For all Games participants, there will be some conditions and constraints that will require your flexibility and understanding."

Really? Now Japan is thinking about safe sex?

Source: https://japantoday.com/category/sports/no-hugs-or-high-fives-olympic-organisers-unveil-athlete-rulebook

Related: "Japan pledges safe Olympics; medical experts aren't so sure"
Link: https://japantoday.com/category/sports/japan-pledges-safe-olympics-medical-experts-aren't-so-sure

Weird/Cool Globalization: RAPHA BOUNDZEKI's rendition of Tenrikyo's Mikagura-uta

I know nothing about this Congolese songwriter and singer, RAPHA BOUNDZEKI, other that he did a mash-up which includes Sections 1 - 3 of Tenrikyo's Mikagura-uta (The Songs for the Service) at approximately 00:26 - 03:30 (but do watch/listen to the whole video). Sections 1-3 are part of the seated service, one of Tenrikyo's main rituals done twice a day by followers. It is accompanied by a hand dance (resembling, but not quite sign langauge). Rapha's dance is... different. Apparently he visited a Tenrikyo mission station in the Congo and picked up the words (and perhaps spirit?). I doubt this is officially sanctioned by the church, but it is lively, catchy and a great example of Weird/Cool Globalization.

For more about the Mikagura-uta, including its lyrics, English translation and commentaries, see Tenrikyology:
http://tenrikyology.com/scripture/mikagura-uta-the-songs-for-the-service/

For more about Tenrikyo, see their official website: https://www.tenrikyo.or.jp/

Many thanks to Taiheiyo Church's Facebook page for sharing this. Aloha.

Book Review: Timeless Luminosity by Robert Aho (2020)

"Buy the ticket, take the ride…and if it occasionally gets a little heavier than what you had in mind, well…maybe chalk it up to forced consciousness expansion: Tune in, freak out..." (Hunter S. Thompson, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, 1971: 89)

***

I must disclose that Robert Aho is my relative. But don't expect that I will fill this review with fawning acclamation and adulation for my beloved older cousin. On the contrary, my evaluation will be harsh and critical (because that's what cousins are for).

My early childhood memory of Bob is a letter he wrote to me with instructions how to make a snow fort. So, it should be no surprise that he became an architect. Timeless Luminosity is the book that Bob built, a blending of his profession and studies of anthropology, art, literature, philosophy and religion. It is a multivocal construction of Buddhist inspired prose and poetry related to his Near Death Experience (NDE) and suited for multiple audiences.

So why write about death (or near death)? This doesn't have to necessarily be a depressing or awkward subject. Many cultures view human existence as cycles of life, death and rebirth. For example, J. Stephen Lansing writes about the Balinese-Hindu conception of samsara, "Most anthropological descriptions of the life cycle begin with birth... in the Balinese case, it makes more sense to begin at the moment of death" (The Balinese, 1995: 32). And this is where Bob's composition begins as well.

The book's prose aims to explain Bob's early studies that seem to have prepared him for such an experience, the NDE itself and his meditations and contemplations afterwards. There are many Buddhist terms that might be too esoteric for some readers. The academic in me wishes that Bob included direct references within the text. (A guru might respond, "Silly academic, do you need me to hold your hand?" To be fair, there is a bibliography at the end of the book which would allow for one's own investigation of these terms, guiding the horse to water to allow it to drink at its own pace). But the bibliophile in me is glad there aren't any pesky citations or footnotes. I wish the prose was a bit longer because it is interesting and I want more details. Bob's style of writing is personal, brave and spiritual. It almost reminds me of the work of Haruki Murakami, writing about the adventures of a regular guy in otherworldly, dreamlike settings trying to understand the contradictions of life and death. After reading Murakami I usually feel like I have had a couple of drinks.

The book's poetry is assembled like mala prayer beads (108 verses and 4 introductory guru verses). The poems are separate and related, free verse and sometimes playful, reminiscent of the Buddhist Beat poet Allen Ginsberg. The stanzas are different shapes and sizes, similar to pictographs resembling meditative imagery, breathing and/or heartbeats. This is Bob's shared meditation - he discusses reading the poems front to back and back to front. I feel like I can open to a random page and read them in any order. Random orders and timely contexts make for new revelations with every reading. Verses 21 and 31 especially speak to me during these trying and troubling socio-political times. We all need to shut off CNN (or FOX News) and meditate. I agree with Bob in that we need to examine our minds, look inwardly to see what awaits and relax. RELAX.

I conclude with Bob's own advice about the book. "Please enjoy. Do not take any of this too seriously, and don't take my word for it" (25). ENJOY.

Self-published, Duluth, MN USA
ISBN 9798633736199
https://www.facebook.com/Timeless-Luminosity-100996178269439

Setsubun 2021

The ducks behind the house...

AAA Weekend Reads - popular stories from the world of anthropology

Eat, Drink, and Stand in Japan: https://www.anthropology-news.org/index.php/2021/01/08/eat-drink-and-stand-in-japan/

Jalan Jalan (96): I was advising my new visual anthro students to always carry a camera with them in case they see something they want to photograph and so I did that myself today...

"Foo Fighters unveil exclusive new Japanese sake"

Text and photo from Japan Today, 1/21/2021.

“To commemorate the release of ‘Medicine At Midnight’, Japanese sake brand “TATENOKAWA” that produces top quality Junmai Daiginjo sake has collaborated with Foo Fighters. Based on the preference of the sake-loving band members, TATENOKAWA has specially created two types of Daiginjo sake. Please enjoy ‘HANSHO (Midnight)’ while listening to their fantastic new album.”

For those new to the world of sake, or wanting to know more about the collaboration, Tatenokawa, the brand producing the limited-edition tipple, has been making sake at their brewery in Yamagata Prefecture for 180 years.

The Foo Fighters, who say they love sake, remotely tested a number of different offerings from the brewery, and the sake they chose as their favorite was used to create two new varieties to mark the release of the band’s upcoming album.

Both varieties are classified as junmai daiginjo, which is regarded as the highest-grade sake. “Junmai” refers to a pure sake, made from only rice, water and koji mould, with no extra alcohol added, while “Daiginjo” is the term used for sake containing rice that has been highly polished, with at least 50-percent of the outer grain layer removed. This results in a sake that is easy to drink, with an elegant balance between acidity and umami.

The first Foo Fighters sake is called Foo Fighters x Tatenokawa Junmai Daiginjo Hansho Ao, with”Hansho Ao” translating to “Midnight Blue.”

Brewed with the “pop side” of Foo Fighters in mind, Hansho Ao uses 100-percent locally sourced Dewa rice from Yamagata Prefecture, polished to 50 percent. Said to display a gorgeous aroma with a gentle mouthfeel and light sweetness, Tatenokawa describes this sake as a combination that will “heal your daily fatigue and permeate your entire body,” which sounds like the same effects you’d get after listening to the band’s music.

The second limited-edition variety is the Foo Fighters × Tatenokawa Junmai Daiginjo Hansho Gin, with “Hansho Gin” translating to “Midnight Silver.”

This sake is based on the “rock side” of the Foos and is made with 50-percent polished Omachi rice sourced from Okayama Prefecture. According to Tatenokawa, this version displays an excellent depth and sharp aftertaste with a firm body to provide you with “vitality for tomorrow”.

Both 720-millilitre (24.3-ounce) bottles will retail for 3,080 yen and become available on 5 February, to coincide with the band’s new album release. There’ll also be a “Foo Fighters × Tatenokawa Complete Box Set” containing both bottles and a copy of the new album sold in a special gift box, although price details for the product are yet to be announced.

Source: https://japantoday.com/category/features/new-products/Foo-Fighters-unveil-exclusive-new-Japanese-sake

Teaser video, Foo Fighters x Tatenokawa Collaboration Sake “HANSHO (Midnight)”