Center for Japanese StudiesFall 2012 Newsletter

WWW.PDX.EDU/CJS 503-725-8577

Events Calendar

4 October, 6:00 p.m., SMSU 328/9Dr. Haruo Shirane, Columbia UniversityJapan and the Culture of the Four Seasons:Nature, Literature, and the Arts

18 October, 7:00 p.m., SMSU 228 Mr. Brant Reiter, Fujisankei Communications Int The Global Outreach of Japanese Popular Culture: The Influence of “Iron Chef” on American TV ProgrammingCo-Sponsored by the Mark Spencer Hotel

15 November, 6:00 p.m., PSU NASCC (Native American Student Community Center)Dr. Jane Golley, Australian National UniversityGold for the Old? Demographic Change and Economic Growth in Japan and ChinaCo-Sponsored by the Confucius Institute

17 January, 2013, 7:00 p.m., SMSU 228 Success in Business with Japan Series Mr. Sho Dozono, Azumano TravelThe “From Oregon with Love” Story

28 February, 2013, 6:00 p.m., SMSU 238 Dr. Naoko Shibusawa, Brown UniversityAmerica’s Geisha Ally

11 April, 2013Gabe Rosen, Proprietor, Biwa RestaurantThe Biwa Story: Establishing and Managing a Japanese-style Pub in Portland

29 April, 2013, 6:00 p.m., SMSU 238 Leith Morton, Tokyo Institute of TechnologyFascism and Modernism in Maekawa Samio’s Tanka

May 2013Matt Shores, PSU Center for Japanese StudiesKimono Comedy Spectacular

CJS supporters may also be interested in a lecture to be presented by the PSU Institute for Asian Studies and the Confucius Institute. 26 October, 2012, Peter Bol, Harvard UniversityPower, Wealth, and a Confucius for Today

Alumni at Work at Home and Overseas

CJS Advisory Board: June Shiigi June and Stanley Shiigi, both born and raised in Hawaii, met just before Stanley entered graduate school at the University of California at Berkeley. They married and while Stanley was finish-ing his program, June worked in basic scientific research. They moved to Oregon over thirty years ago. Stanley now runs a medical research core facility at OHSU West Campus. June is currently co-chair of Tomodachi-kai, a committee of the Japan-America Society of Oregon, and has joined the CJS Advisory Board. As supporters of the Center for Japanese Studies, they remarked recently on the activities of the Center and its programs which present students and the general com-munity the opportunity to hear and meet scholars and business leaders from the U.S. and worldwide. They feel that the diversity of talented PSU Japanese studies students and the combination of cul-tures and ideas, which have produced recent original student works, have been very exciting to see.

My name is Melissa Weed and I attended PSU, dou-ble majoring and receiving my Bachelor’s in Japanese and Biomedical Informatics. I graduated a little over a year ago and am currently working for Delta Air-lines as an Japanese LOD (language of destination) flight attendant. I’ve been able to fly all over the world! I am going back to school this fall to obtain my Mas-ters in Biomedical Engineering at OHSU. I enjoyed the Japanese language program that PSU had to offer and feel that it has helped me greatly.

Community Supporters Center for Japanese Studies Receives Six-Figure Estate Gift

Portland State University is asking supporters of the Center for Japanese Studies to assist in en-dowing fully the Center’s basic operations, and this campaign recently benefited from a major estate gift from longtime supporters Tim and Martha McGinnis. We are grateful for this vote of confidence in the Center for Japanese Studies, which was timed to encourage other supporters to join in making endowment gifts.

Tim and Martha McGinnis explained their investment in the Center for Japanese Studies: Having lived and worked in Japan for over ten years, we developed a love and appreciation for “all things Japanese.” So when we retired from Asia to Bend in 1998 and were asked by Bruce Brenn, Mar-vin Kaiser and Ken Ruoff to become founding members of the Center for Japanese Studies, it was an easy decision. We are committed to higher education and believe the Center not only provides an invaluable resource for students from the United States and Japan, but also for the Portland community at large to become more knowledgeable about Japan and the Japanese people.

Celebrating 30 Years of Excellence:PSU’s Japanese Language Program, a Regional, National, and International Resource

Melissa Weed’s Japanese Language Education Takes Her All Over the World

Language Program Alum Melissa Weed on the job

At PSU I was a graduate student in the Masters of Japa-nese program and taught first through fourth year Japa-nese as a graduate assistant. I, like most graduate assis-tants at PSU, began my education during the summer term and took part in an intensive course on the theory and practice of Japanese instruction. I later found this dual emphasis on linguistic theory and practical skill-building would continue throughout my education at PSU. I arrived with essentially no knowledge of linguis-

tic theory, but the Japanese program offered a wide variety of linguistics courses, and I was always impressed by how much time professors like Patricia Wetzel, Suwako Watanabe, and Lawrence Kominz were willing to spend with me. The program also offered courses focusing on teaching skills, but I think most importantly I received consistent individual feedback and instruction from professors like Emiko Konomi about what I was doing in the classroom.

In my job, as a Japanese language instructor for the Japan Foundation in Los An-geles, knowledge of linguistic theory and mastery of classroom skills are essential. I teach several classes, and the experience I obtained at PSU has helped me adapt to new students, new subject matter, and new class materials. I am surprised by how much of my week is spent planning the class curriculum. I have discussions each week with my supervisor about curriculum, and the theory I learned at PSU is al-ways the starting point in how we decide to develop the course. 

When I look back, what I appreciate most is how much personal attention I re-ceived from PSU professors. They took time to help me develop my skills and knowledge, they took interest in getting to know me as a person, and they genu-inely cared about helping me achieve my goals.  I received instruction from ex-perienced professors from different fields, but maybe more importantly, they helped me and pushed me to try different approaches and methods by my-self. I was able to do that because they were always open to new things and be-lieved that I could, and should, try to expand my knowledge and abilities.  It was really difficult, but trying new theories and methodology gave me some very important experience. It was not only the knowledge, but more, the actual experi-ence of trying new things that is helping me to try new things in my job too. 

It has often been said that if you want something im-portant done, assign it to a busy person. Verne Naito is one of those persons.  He is fully engaged in the world of business, education and community affairs and is also an active member of the CJS Advisory Board.  

His academic odyssey took him from Lincoln High in Portland to Pomona College, Portland State and Harvard.  He served as a management consultant for U.S. high tech firms until he joined his family firm, Naito Properties, in 1997 to turn his talents to newly diversified company ventures while overseeing such older ventures as the 12-store “Made in Oregon” di-vision. He has also found the time to be a founder of the Asian-American Business Association, a board member of the Portland Japanese Garden, an advisory board member of the American Pacific Chamber of Commerce and the University of Portland’s Center for Entrepreneurship. He serves on the board of the Har-vard Business School Association of Oregon, and also co-chairs his Pomona College reunion committee.

He says he considers the CJS “A remarkable entity; it has a truly outstanding faculty and provides world class speakers in its programs” all of which are open to the public. In that regard, says Naito, “It is a rare univer-sity within a city limits that is so deeply engaged with the community.”

Community Supportors CJS Advisory Board: Verne Naito

Dr. Holt received his Ph.D. in Japanese Literature from the University of Washington, his Master’s in Japanese Literature at the University of Hawai’i, and was a researcher at Iwate University for two years, where he focused on the regional elements in Miyazawa Kenji’s literature. His research interests include modern Japanese poetry and children’s literature.

At PSU, Dr. Holt teaches Japanese literature and film as well as upper-division Japanese language courses.  One of his favorite courses to teach is his fourth-year poetry class, which in 2013 will be spread across Winter and

Spring quarters to cover Meiji-Taisho poetry in the first half and Showa poetry and pop songs in the second. His secondary research interests include Japanese Buddhism, manga, and alternative media, including videogames. In 2011, Dr. Holt participated in the first Japanese videogame panel at the Association of Asian Studies, where he presented on the narrative properties of the highly popular franchise Metal Gear Solid. He recently translated two works from Okinawan poets, Mabuni Chōshin and Yamanokuchi Baku, included in a forthcoming anthology of mod-ern Okinawan literature from the University of Hawaii Press.

Originally hailing from Arkansas, Dr. Holt has lived in the Pacific Northwest for over a decade. He and his wife, Nana, who writes a column in the Seattle-based Japanese newspaper Soy Source, now consider themselves Northwesterners. He started to teach as an assistant professor of Japa-nese at PSU in Fall 2010. Among his favorite things about Portland are the streetcars, food carts, and the strong Japanese community here. “But I have to say that the trains are my one true favorite thing about the city, otherwise my 5-year-old will get mad at me.”

Focus on CJS Faculty: Professor Jon Holt Professor Emiko KonomiDr. Konomi received her Ph.D. in linguistics from Cornell University.  Her research inter-ests include Japanese language pedagogy and linguistics.  Currently she is co-authoring a new Japanese textbook with Dr. Wetzel.   Dr. Konomi has shared her expertise as a peda-gogical linguist at many teacher training pro-grams across the country.  

Dr. Konomi joined PSU as an assistant professor of Japanese in Fall 2010.  At PSU she directs the first-year, second-year and third-year Japanese language courses.  She is known for teaching Japa-nese with passion, and her dedication to quality teaching knows no limits. In 2011, Dr. Konomi was awarded the John Eliot Allen Outstanding Teacher Award. 

Dr. Konomi has studied martial arts and enjoys various physical activities. She and her family moved from California and now ap-preciate all the blessings of Portland. 

Alumni at Work at Home and Overseas: Former Grad Assistant Hiroko Katsuta Finds PSU Education Helps Her Daily in Job at Japan Foundation

CJS Sucess in Business Series: Spring 2012 Left: Chairman and Honorary CEO of Kikkoman, Yuzaburo Mogi, informed and entertained us. Featured with CJS Board Chair Bruce Brenn, Governor Vic Atiyeh, Sho Dozono, Mrs. Mogi, and CJS supporter.

Faculty Book News

Professor Ruoff Wins Oregon Book AwardAfter winning the prestigious Jiro Osaragi Award in Japan for the best book published in Japan in the social sciences during 2003, CJS director Ken Ruoff has been awarded the 2012 Oregon Book Award for his new work, Imperial Japan at its Zenith. Here are Jane Brox’s comments on Imperial Japan at its Zenith in reference to the 2012 Frances Fuller Victor Award for General Nonfiction:In his examination of the way Japan created and exploited its founding “moment,” Kenneth Ruoff provides a concise, clear view into the complex society of wartime Japan. He charts not only mass participation in the celebrations of the anniversary during a time when the country was en-trenched in its conflict with China, but also the way at-tendant consumerism and tourism, both in Japan proper and its colonies, helped to reinforce feelings of nationalism. Ruoff meticulously examines the way in which such feel-ings were essential to wartime morale and to the popular support of a militaristic and aggressive government, and he clarifies his examination of this phenomenon though con-trasts and comparisons to Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy. Precise, clear, and beautifully written, Imperial Japan at Its Zenith is a fascinating narrative, which can be appreciated by scholars and general readers alike.

Ruoff received the Oregon award at an April 23 ceremony in Portland’s Gerding theater.

The Center for Japanese Studies was among the organizations providing local sup-port to the Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) National Youth Student Council for its fourth annual Youth Leadership Summit.

C J S staff worked with conference organizers in providing a venue and otherlogistics, as well as outreach to the PSU student community. The event, which was held at PSU 2-3 June, 2012, attracted twenty-five local youth from diverse racial and ethic backgrounds, age, generational status, and involvement with the JACL. They spent two days participating in interactive workshops, discussions, and a series of exercises through which they examined personal identity, diversity and social justice. The summit provided a venue for them to connect with each other as well as to the JACL on a national level.

The mission of JACL Youth Leadership Summit program is to build a network of youth leaders who understand local, regional, and national Asian Pacific American issues. If the enthusiasm of participants at PSU was any indication, the program is well on its way to succeeding on all fronts.

CJS Supports JACL National Youth Conference in Portland

Professors Wetzel and Konomi Preparing Japanese Language TextbookJapanese language faculty Patricia Wetzel and Emiko Konomi have signed a contract with Tuttle Publishing to produce a new Japanese language textbook series. The textbook will consist of two volumes, one for first-year and the other for sec-ond-year college level courses. Each volume will integrate all four skills—speaking, listening, read-ing, and writing. “One of our goals is to align our book with the Japanese language Proficiency Test (Nihongo Noryoku Shiken) that is widely used in Japan,” said Wetzel. “We are trying to make our textbook high school friendly, too, but that’s not easy.”

They plan to pilot the textbook starting this Fall (2012) in PSU language classes. “We are busy now making audio files for the book,” said Konomi. “I think we will have to ask the students to be pa-tient with typos and minor errors, but we hope they find it as exciting as we do to be part of this process.”

Profile of Alumnus Ken HondaPSU is a wondrous place in its openness to individuals starting or returning to college as non-traditional students.   Consider the case of Ken Honda, hardly an average exchange student from Japan.   Mr. Honda had long wanted to study in the Unit-ed States, but when he graduated from college in Japan in the 1960s, that was still an unusual (and expensive) step for some-one from Japan.  So Mr. Honda accepted a job and worked, as so many salarymen of his generation did, long hours for four decades until his retirement in the early twenty-first century.   But the thought of studying in the United States still tugged at him even in retirement.   So in 2003 he came to PSU for a year to study history, mainly American history (including Japanese American history, which came to be one of his special interests).   Mr. Honda vividly remembers courses with professors such as Barney Burke and Bill Lang.   Now he is an active member of the newly formed PSU Alumni Club in Japan.   

PSU Hosts Alumni Event in Tokyo

Left: PSU Alums Yongsuk Song, Yoko Yamazaki, and Manami Yamaguchi

The Oregon Bar and Grill in Tokyo was the venue for PSU’s 12 August gather-ing of approximately 60 alumni. PSU President Wim Wiewel hosted, and a PSU Alumni Group in Japan has now been established.

Right: PSU President Wim Wiewel, Professor Pat Wetzel and PSU alumni

Profile of Upcoming LectureDr. Jane Golley, Associate Director of the Australian Centre on China in the World at the Australian Nation-al University, will discuss the demographic time bombs in Japan and China. She is an economist focused on a range of Chinese transition and development issues, and her talk will reflect on the relationship between de-mographic change and economic growth in Japan and China to assess the challenges facing one country that has “gotten rich before getting old” and another that is “getting old before getting rich.”

Dr. Jane Golley

PSU Alum Ken Honda

Center for Japanese StudiesPO Box 751Portland, OR 97207-0751

Calendar Spotlight

Oct. 4th - Dr. Haruo Shirane, Professor of Japanese Literature and Culture at Columbia University, will present a lecture titled Japan and the Culture of the Four Seasons: Nature, Literature, and the Arts.

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