Wednesday's Weekly Idol (ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧ #5: Natsuki Fujiwara

Today's feature is:

Natsuki Fujiwara (藤原 夏姫 Fujiwara Natsuki)

 

 

 

✿Background Info:

Fujiwara was born in Hokkaido on August 9, 1986. She is a Japanese gravure idol, a female model who primarily models in magazines, photobooks, or DVDs where they emphasize their sexual attractiveness by oftentimes wearing swimsuits or lingerie. Fujiwara is particularly known for her cosplay (costume play) modeling. She began her career while working at a maid café after moving to Tokyo.

 

 

✿Making it Over the Rainbow:

In August of 2009, she publicly identified herself as "pure [absolute] lesbian, not bisexual or something like that." She had realized her sexuality during her high school years and began dating females after graduating.

She was the second gravure idol in 2009 to come out, after Ayaka Ichinose.

Fujiwara's hobbies include reading yuri dojin manga.

 

Cosplaying as Princess of the Crystal

 

 

 

References:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natsuki_Fujiwara

http://aramatheydidnt.livejournal.com/3241425.html

http://worldcosplay.net/photo/476484/?scrlybrkr=bc8eb3b4

Wednesday's Weekly Idol (ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧ #4: Wataru Ishizaka

Today's feature is:

Wataru Ishizaka (石坂 わたる Ishizaka Wataru)

 

 

 

 

 

✿Background Info:

Ishizaka is a Japanese politician, social worker, and former school teacher for the disabled. He was elected in the April 2011 elections to the Nakano ward council in Tokyo. His first attempt at running was in April 2007, where he only scored a few votes. When asked to tell something he hopes to achieve in his four-year term in an interview with CNN, he responded, "First, something easy: find out the exact position of sexual minorities, the socially vulnerable and the handicapped in Nakano Ward, from a human rights standpoint."

 

 

✿Making it Over the Rainbow:

Ishizaka ran at the same time as Taiga Ishikawa in the 2011 elections (elected to the Toshima ward council) who was our Weekly Idol three Wednesdays ago  (ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ Exciting, right? They were the both openly gay males to be elected in Japan. (There have been gays in politics, but they came out after already taking position.)

 

Ishizaka came out to his parents and close friends when he was seventeen. He says his parents had a terrible reaction, but eventually everything turned out fine. They were even supportive of him when they found out that he had planned on running in the election.

 

During his first running, Ishizaka and his partner formed the Tokyo Metropolitan Gay Forum where they sent out questionnaires about candidates' position on sexual orientation and sexual minorities and put the answers on their website. Ishizakaa says that something that motivated him to run was the many gay-unfriendly candidates being elected.

 

Ishizaka also recited accounts of killings of gays in the early 2000s. He said, "So, I wanted to help make a society where that’s not okay, and I figured that working in schools alone was not enough. And I also want to help improve conditions in special-needs schools, such as wages and staff levels."

 

The interview ended on this note:
"You can have a legal victory; you can come out to your family, but there are cases when your acquaintances refuse to recognize you.
We call those people your 'seken,' your 'social neighborhood,' the people between your family circle and the outside world.
It’s a typically Japanese concept. People say that even if your parents support you, it’s meaningless if your seken refuses to acknowledge your existence. In those cases, who do you turn to?"

 

 

 

 

References:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wataru_Ishizaka?scrlybrkr=7eb40595

http://travel.cnn.com/tokyo/life/definitely-not-only-gay-village-001023

 

 

Wednesday's Weekly Idol (ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧ #3: Aya Kamikawa

Today's feature is:

 

Aya Kamikawa (上川 あや Kamikawa Aya)

 

 

 

 

 

 

✿Background Info:

Aya Kamikawa is a Tokyo municipal official born in 1968. In 2003, she won a four-year term, and in 2007 she was re-elected into a second term. Her seat is in the Setagaya ward assembly, Tokyo's most populous district.

 

 

 

✿Making it Over the Rainbow:

 Kamikawa was born a male. According to her mother, when she was five or six she said that she wanted to be a girl. So, in her late 20s, Kamikawa decided to follow her dreams and become a woman. However, she was still listed as a male on her family identity records and other records. Because of this, doing simple tasks or applying for a job became difficult, and she was faced with discrimination.

 

One article explains, "But, living as a woman, difficulties arose because prospective employers needed family identity documents. In the end she could only find part-time work, where such documents are not required.

There was also the day-to-day prejudice she encountered. People wanted to know in which gay bar. she was working as a barmaid. Others would ask her what stage she was at with her 'construction' - a reference to operations to change her sexual organs."

Surprisingly, her parents were there to support her through her change. Even when she told them about her plan to run in the election, they were supportive.

She submitted her election application papers. In the space to indicate her sex, she left it blank. After winning in 2003, the government announced that they would continue to consider her officially as a male. Her response was stating that she would work as a woman anyway. She uses her position to improve rights for women, children, the elderly, the handicapped, and LGBTQ people.

Kamikawa is the first transgender to seek or win an elected office in Japan, and she currently is the only openly transgender official in Japan.

 

 

 

 

 

Resources:

http://aramatheydidnt.livejournal.com/3241425.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aya_Kamikawa?scrlybrkr=7eb40595

http://asianhistory.tumblr.com/post/35890142579/thugzmansion-aya-kamikawa-born-january-25th

http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2003/05/02/1051382092741.html?scrlybrkr=0e031257



Lecture Answers

When do you need your SWoRD account created by?

October 4

When do you need to give your peer edit back to that person by?

October 11

What 4 tabs must be on your blog?

Introduction, Action Project, Multimedia, Links 

 

How do you get an advanced score on your blog?

Doing an extra twist such as a post of the week

Wednesday's Weekly Idol (ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧ #2: Taiga Ishikawa

Today's feature is:

Taiga Ishikawa (石川 大我 Ishikawa Taiga)

 

 

 

 

✿Background Info:

Ishikawa is a politician in Japan and has become one of the first openly gay male politicians to win an election. He assumed office in April 2011 to a seat in the Tokyo's Toshima ward assembly. In an interview with Gay Star News, Ishikawa stated that he hopes to go into the national government, but for now he is just trying to change Toshima ward.

 

✿Making it Over the Rainbow:
Growing up in Sugamo, Ishikawa had to hide his sexuality, and it was a very difficult feat for him, especially when all of the other boys his age were talking about their favorite female idols. Even through his college years, Ishikawa continued to stay mostly in the closet. In 1999, after his father bought a computer and asked for his help with a website, Ishikawa discovered the wonderful world of the internet where he found other individuals in his situation. When he was 26, he met a gay man for the first time in person.

The acquaintanceship encouraged him to write his 2002 memoir Boku no kareshi wa doko ni iru?, meaning Where is My Boyfriend? This was his official coming out.

When asked in the Gay Star News interview if he has experienced homophobia with fellow politicians, Ishikawa replied that the younger people are okay with it, but the elderly are more conservative. This holds especially true for the men.

Ishikawa's main goal with his position is to tackle LGBT rights. This includes protection rights against discrimination and partnership rights. Rather than marriage, Ishikawa thinks civil unions are more suitable for Japan. He says that society has to change before most gays would even consider getting married. "I think that once the law is changed, the people will change. Japanese people are very obedient of the law," he said.

 

One of his greatest successes is the new gender equality plan for Toshima Ward, which "says we must help the wider public to understand sexual minorities." He said, "This is just the start, I want to open a LGBT centre in Toshima, set-up an LGBT support telephone- line and open an LGBT counselling service. It’s a big dream. But this is the first level."

 

More quotes from his interview with Gay Star:

 

"As I see it, there need to be four changes in Japanese society to improve life for LGBT people.
One, that LGBT people know that each other exist and contact each other to prevent isolation. The second is that straight people know the truth about LGBT people, not the rumours, the facts. In Japan many people have misunderstandings about LGBT people.
The third is to have true representation of gay people in the media. On TV there are a lot of gay men but most of them are really camp and made fun of. The last one is the politics."

 

"In Western countries LGBTs ask for their rights and others will give them rights. In Japan if LGBT people ask for their rights directly people may refuse it. It’s too direct. It’s not in the culture.
The ordinary people do not say they are gay-friendly, but also they do not say they are homophobic, they don’t say anything."

 

"In Japan the biggest problem is saying to your parents that you are gay, especially for those in their twenties and teenagers. Most gay people come to university in Tokyo after they graduate from high school to live by themselves.
A recent survey of 18 to 31-year-old gay people showed that 61% of them had come out to someone: 49% to friends, 23% to their mother and 15% to their father.
The same survey asked they’d had any life troubles because they are gay. 86% said yes. Of these, 67% said they’d felt isolation, 65% said their relationship with their friends had suffered and 35% said their relationship with their parents had suffered. When asked if they’d even considered suicide because they are gay, 36% said yes.
A large 88% said they had received negative information about being gay, 56% from the media, 55% from school (teachers and friends) and 22% from family."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

References:

http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2011/03/11/national/activist-fighting-for-lgbt-rights/?scrlybrkr=b2905125#.UkMj9z8kSSo

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taiga_Ishikawa?scrlybrkr=2a3dbded

http://aramatheydidnt.livejournal.com/3664448.html

 

Wednesday's Weekly Idol (ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧ #1: Hiromi

Starting today, there will be a new segment on this blog every Wednesday dedicated to the famous LGBTQ in Japan.

Today's feature is:

Hiromi Shinhata (新畑 博美 Shinhata Hiromi)

 

✿Background Info:
Hiromi (stylized as HiROMi) was born in 1990 and has been a fashion model since the late 2000s. She is active in the professional and commercial modeling fields and is best known for her work in Egg magazine and Happie Nuts magazine, which are both gyaru (gal) magazines.

Because of her boyish looks, she has previously modeled a line of men's clothes.

She has also been involved in scratching since a young age and is a disc jockey for the female duo Lil'B.

✿Making it Over the Rainbow:
In the April 2011 edition of Happie Nuts, Hiromi revealed that she was a lesbian and had been hiding it for a long time. She also admitted that she was dating another female model named Aura (who is not as popular as Hiromi).

Aura (left) and Hiromi (right) modeling together.

Though she hid her sexuality from the public, Hiromi was quite open about it with her close friends and family. After the issue of Happie Nuts came out, Hiromi said in an interview with Tokyo Wrestling, an online LGBTQ magazine, that she received a lot of messages from fans expressing their thanks for helping them to gain the courage to come out along with other positive messages and warm comments through her Twitter and blog.

However, there were also some that weren't able to understand her and expressed this with negative remarks.

The couple revealed that they have come across some homophobic citizens while they hold hands walking around town, but they try not to let it bother them.

Aura also detailed her experience with losing many of her friends in the interview. She said, "What is it, at first, others weren’t very friendly with me either at school or at work and then eventually everywhere. And then, gradually, I narrowed down the people who didn’t understand, I think it was good that I did that."

Hiromi added, "I didn’t think there would be a human at that kind of level, who would become distant with me just because I’m in a relationship with a woman."

Though Aura doesn't like to admit it because of how cliche it is, Hiromi claims their meeting was love at first site, and the two have been happily living together for a long time.

What a sweet and charming couple, right? (ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ

 References:
 http://aramatheydidnt.livejournal.com/3244683.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hiromi_(model)

Final Blog Reflection

From the beginning I didn't know much about my topic. The only thing I knew about it was that homosexuality was popular in manga/anime. So, I learned basically everything else about it from my research. For example, I learned about Japan's past traditions, the current fight for LGBTQ rights, the influences on the gay culture in Japan, and more.
As for doing independent work, I handled it well. I'm better at working on my own than in a group because I feel like I can work faster, and I also don't have to confirm with partners on what I plan on doing.
I think I did choose a topic that was right for me. Since it involved two subjects that I'm interested in, it kept my attention. Sometimes, though, I kind of wished I would have done a different topic (which was usually something like book publishing... or something?). However, if I had to choose again, I would probably keep this one. I think the book publishing one would eventually make me bored (but the action plan would have been cooler [which, if you couldn't tell, would be publishing a book]). Also, Japan is just too amazing to turn my back on (biased).
If I had to give advice to my classmates who'll take Grad Project next trimester, I would tell them to just do something that they're interested in but also something that would have a nice outcome (like one that stands out and an action plan that is meaningful). It should be something that is easy to find information on, too, and something that you know a bit about already.

Assignment 10

What are the main ideas of your research?

So the main ideas would be my foundation questions, right?
Those would be:

• How views changed (also the "What is...?")
• Why views changed
• Laws
• Same-sex marriage
• Main figures
• Popular culture
• Homophobia today
• Gay awareness

So yeah...

Assignment 9: Notes Reflection

Hola.

My note-taking progress was successful. I thought that I actually wouldn't be able to complete them in class because I was lazy. But even though I had days where I didn't work on them at all, I still finished them early. I guess I work fast in intervals. I didn't struggle, really. My only challenge was to overcome the desire to not do work (which was a battle that I lost some days). However, since I was able to finish anyway, I don't really think I would consider that a struggle. I obviously learned a lot during my note-taking progress. I learned all the answers to the foundation questions, for one. I also learned things outside of my foundation questions, like the general culture of Japan. It's really interesting, actually.

Also, the notes are due on March 14th, which is White Day in Japan. It's a holiday one month after Valentine's Day (girls give guys chocolates during Valentine's Day) where the guys that got chocolate from girls now return the favor by giving chocolates to those girls (which is supposed to be more expensive than what they received). I don't know why it's called White Day, but I guess this kind of connects to my topic because it's in Japan and the genders are specified as being opposite (but I've never heard anyone think of that as controversial).
I guess I'll wear white tomorrow. It's too cold for a dress, though... Oh, conundrums.

kthnxbai

Assignment 8: What is Happening

Hi.

So I think I'm done with my notes... I have two primary sources, at least eight notes for each question, direct quotes for all, twenty key terms in alphabetical order with their definitions, and an interview in my notes.

In case you would like to know, I only did one interview (despite initially wanting to do two). Kaito Kawano, the guy in Japan interning at the UN, said he would reply back to me by February 28th but never did. It's fine, though; I know he's busy. So I just emailed Stonewall AJET, and Lauren Anderson, the president of the organization living in Japan, answered my questions (albeit with slightly improper grammar [using lowercase "I"s] for a woman whose first language is English because she is originally from Canada and head of a professional organization, but whatever... Sorry). Nevertheless, her information was very useful, and I'm glad to have gotten a first-person stance on the issue.

So, yeah, everything is fine... Again.

'Kthnxbai

Extra Post 二

Hello.

This is an extra post because I'm done with my notes. In the title 二 means two in Japanese. In case you didn't know.

So, one of the twelfth graders, Nia Howze, is holding a Japanese tea ceremony for her action plan. I was surprised I didn't know someone in twelfth grade was doing a grad project related to Japan (because I thought I knew everyone in twelfth grade interested in Japan). Anyway, Mrs. Downs invited me to it (along with Justen and Mariah). So, I'm excited to go. I like tea. I wonder if Nia Howze is going to wear a kimono or if there is going to be flower arranging... I think it's two weeks from now...

I will update you on what happens afterward.

'Kbai.

Assignment 7

My interview progress is... good. I sent both of my interviewees questions two weeks ago. One said he would reply to them by the 28th (which is tomorrow, so I'm looking forward to that). The other never replied after I sent her my questions despite her OK for them, so I sent her another email yesterday asking her "what's up with that" (in a professional way, of course). She replied just hours later so I have those answers. I skimmed through them, and it looks really informational. I'm glad that I was able to get her opinion on things and yeah... Everything is okay. I will send her a thank you email after posting this so yes.

kthnxbai

Assignment 6: What is Happening?

Lettuce see...

Interview:
I emailed both of my interviewees, and one of them said they would respond  by the 28th  because he's busy. But I like him. He's nice. And Japanese. He's interning at  the United Nations (I don't remember which role right now), which is super fancy. The other interviewee just kinda said yeah and when I gave them the questions never replied after that. So I am kinda upset about that ._. Hopefully she answers soon.

Notes:
I am doing my notes, and it's boring... But, yeah. I've got some stuff done...

Key Terms:
I've been writing key terms down as I progress. I have about 10, I think. Some of them are a bit repetitive... For example, I don't know if one being "yaoi" and one being "shounen-ai" would count because they're almost the same thing... If it doesn't count then I would only have eight.

'kbai.

Extra Post 一

So, this is my first post that is not required and yeah. I will talk about my action plan ideas. I have three:

1. The easiest thing to do would be a panel at the anime convention (Tekkoshocon). I would have to preregister and make a presentation or something and just present it to people... Yeah. It would be informative and stuff, ya know? Pretty easy.

2. Mr. Tamler suggested I do an oral history (because for some reason he has a large interest in helping me with Grad Project, not that I'm complaining). I don't know how I would do that, though... Because I think it usually focuses on an event and I would have to interview people and just put what they say together to make a story. Seems hard. And I don't know where I would get these people from...? So, that is lower on my list.

3. This is the most extraordinary one, which is why it is last. It's also difficult. Crossplay Fashion Show. So, cosplay is short for "costume play" which is where a person dresses as a character or something. Sometimes they act "in character" (like when they LARP), and it's a common thing to do at an anime convention (cosplay, not being in character). So, crossplay is the same thing, only you are dressed as the opposite gender. Basically, I guess you could call it drag. So, yeah. Oftentimes the people at the anime conventions dress in Japanese street fashion (like lolita), so I was thinking of doing a crossplay fashion show. That way, we have homosexuality (well, closer to transgender) and Japan in there and it's not boring. Because that is a difficult thing to do (put both things into an action plan). And I thought it would be more exciting than a panel. But my problem is finding people to crossdress for it (because my friends are not supportive). I think the venue could also be at the anime convention, though.

P.S. this post is titled "Extra Post 一" because that line is not just a line; it's the Japanese symbol for the number one. It's pronounced "ichi." So, yes. Learning is good.
This was a long and unnecessary post.

Assignment 5

So, this is my video.

Assignment 4: What is Happening?

Let's see... So far, I've put information into three of my foundation questions using two articles. I started reading the section of my book, but there are many words to read... (but I shouldn't be complaining because it's only a section, and some of you have multiple and whole books).
As for the interview, I was surprised that I found a good organization that I can use. They're called StoneWall AJET (I have yet to find out what AJET stands for...), and they aim to "connect Japan's LGBTQ community." So, yeah... It's pretty good...

Assignment 3: Questions

Essential Question:

How and why have views on homosexuality changed in Japan?

Foundation Questions:

What are the past and present laws on homosexuality in Japan?

What are the main forms of gay awareness in Japan?

How did Japan change its views on homosexuality in the past?

Why did Japan change its views on homosexuality in the past?

Who are the main figures for gays in Japan, and what are their impacts on society?

What are the reasons people in Japan are against same-sex marriage?

How is homosexuality portrayed in Japanese pop culture?

What is homophobia like in Japan today?

Assignment 2: Ten "Interesting" Facts

1. Dating even before the 1600s and until the mid 1800s, Buddhist priests, samurais, and other men were commonly involved with young and pretty males (Hawkins).
2. Japan began to be influenced by European countries' negative views on homosexuality in the Meiji period (1868-1912) because they wanted to be seen as modern (Hawkins).
3. In 2003, Aya Kamikawa became the first openly transgender elected official in Tokyo ("Setagaya OKs..."). 
4. The Japanese word for "gay" is "gei" ("Japanese Gay...").
5. Shinjuku is Tokyo's main gay district ("Homosexuality and...").
6. The first ever Gay and Lesbian Parade in Japan was held on Shinjuku Street in 1992 ("Homosexuality and...").
7. Gay organizations have a small number of members because most Japanese gays don’t want to draw attention to themselves ("Homosexuality and...").
8. Tokyo is the host to a gay and lesbian film festival every year ("Tokyo International...")
9. Japanese gays are not big on fighting discrimination ("Homosexuality and...").
10. Japan is a society where conformity and social harmony are valued, but homosexual are often looked upon as outcasts ("Homosexuality and...").

Assignment 1

What is your grad project topic?

My topic is homosexuality in Japan. I am focusing on how it has changed throughout the centuries and why.

What do you already know about it?

There are a few things that I already know about my topic. I know that same-sex marriage is illegal in Japan like most other countries. But before the Meiji period (which began in 1868) many men had relationships with other men. It was separate from their productive life with their wives. At that time, since it was such a common and normal thing, it wasn't considered being homosexual. From what I have read in the past, Japan tried bringing in Western cultures to their country which was mostly the reason that same-sex relationships became taboo.

Also, a genre called "yaoi" or "shounen-ai" (translating to "boys' love") is very popular in Japanese anime and manga (and I know this from personal experience...).