Feb. 14, 2010
On Valentines Day, there was an event that occurred here in OKAYAMA. Weeks prior a group of for international students met in secret to practice music together. Ok, well maybe it wasn’t so secret for the people that lived around them in the dorm…. Actually it was as loud as hell, and a lot of people actually heard them practicing. It was “all good” though, because they were practicing for their debut concert.
Seeing that some of the people are going to be going home, they wanted to do something before their final days here. One of them, Phoebe (Philippines), was a guitarist, and she wanted to make sure she played publicly before she left. Thus, came the idea of the “ICHIBANGAIJIN”.
This title was a play on words. There is an underground shopping mall here, and the name is: “ICHIBANGAI” (一番街). To get into the mall, there are various stairs, escalators, and ramps. At most of the ramps, there are typically people selling goods and/or playing music. Therefore, the thought was why not have “the best foreigners” (ICHIBANGAIJIN) play there.
It was then born. The newest and hardest working band in OKAYAMA (OK, maybe not the newest), was born. They were known as the “ICHIBANGAIJIN” (一番ガイ人). They were made up of: Emily Liao (Violin & Vocals), Ray Ruemanapp (Drums & Vocals), Phoebe Beltran (Guitar & Vocals), and Norman (Ukulele & Vocals). It was a great hit.
The funny thing is, down in the photos, the police told them that they were too close to a storefront and had to move. Therefore, there are photos of the police, and the movement of gear to the new position. This new location was one really far away from any storefronts. Oops! Oh well, live and learn.
They were a great band though, and even though it was cold as balls, it was great fun. My friends and I really enjoyed going to see them play. Not only that, but out of all the other bands and what not they were the ones with the biggest gathering and people interested in them.
Now, most of the people that are in the photo are just friends. This is because I don’t know the laws in Japan, and would prefer not to get in trouble for taking photos of strangers watching. There are some spectators in the photos, but they are not the main aim of the photos. I hope that you can enjoy the photos, as much as I enjoyed taking them!
I also have video, but the sound didn’t come out well. I’m also looking for a way to do some editing. Maybe if we are all lucky, I will be posting some videos. I have a ton of photos being edited right now, and hopefully the uploads will start coming sooner rather than later.
There are also many more interviews in the works. The photos are coming along slowly. Please continue to follow!
MORE PHOTOS OF THE ICHIBANGAI HERE!
Here is the band, and groupies moving.
The manager had to step in and find out what was going on, thanks J!
The Cops stepping in and telling us to leave! Yikes!
Interview Sheet:
1. What is your name: MORIKAWA YUUKA
2. What is your Nationality: Japanese
3. How old are you: 19
4. Are you single: Yes
5. What is your Major/Faculty: Economics
6. What year are you: Freshman
7. Are you in any clubs: Yes
8. Which ones:
I'm in the 'Weight Training Club'. I'm also in the 'Basketball Circle' called: "Five Stars"
9. What is your position in the club? What do you do?
I'm just a regular attending member in both the club and the cirlce.
9a. What is interesting about your club?
I like going to practice with my friends.... That is really all.
10. Do you have a job: Yes
10a. What do you do?
I'm an at home teacher; I teach Japanese and Math.
11. What are your hobbies?
Well let's see, I really like anything pink and/or red. I am also really into perfumes. At home I have about 13 different bottles of perfume.
12. What music/movies/TV shows do you like?
Umm... Sum 41 and Green Day are a couple of bands that I like. I guess you can say that I like rock music.
As for movies I really like Disney movies and Studio GHIBLI movies. “Enchanted” is my favorite movie.
I don’t watch TV, and thus I have no shows that I like.
13. Do you have any special skills/abilities?
I’m good at cooking. I also like to lay in bed, and I think I'm pretty good at it. :0)
14. What do you like about Japan? Why?
What do I like about Japan, huh? I like rice and Japanese style cooking. Also, I really like SUSHI and TEMPURA. If we are talking about desserts, then I like cheesecake, but the Japanese style cake.
Another cultural item I like about Japan are YUKATAs! This is something that I really like about Japan. We love to wear them during summer.
15. Do you like to travel: Yes
15a. Where have you been, outside of Japan:
Unfortunately, I have not been out of Japan yet, but I am going to Guam in the spring. I'll let you know more details about the trip when I get back.
16. Where have you traveled in Japan?
I have been to a ton of places in Japan, it includes: OKINAWA, TOKYO, KYOTO, NARA, & OSAKA. I really want to go to HOKKAIDO to enjoy the good food there.
16a. Please, explain what you saw/experienced in these places:
In OKINAWA, I went diving into the sea, and tried black sugar. I don’t know why the sugar is black, but it is black right out of the sugar cane.
While in TOKYO, it was all about TOKYO Disneyland and the shopping. That was actually all there was for me there.
In KYOTO & NARA I went to go see the temples and EIGAMURA (Japanese movie style Universal Studios). I also went shopping, again.... hehehe.
17. Are there any places that you would recommend a traveler to visit?
I would recommend OKINAWA, KOBE, and KYOTO.
17a. Why would you recommend those places?
OKINAWA is very slow and calm. It is also a very heart warming place, with very nice and gentle people.
KOBE the night scene is very beautiful. It is really a site to see. If you like cake, then it is really delicious here.
KYOTO is a very old city, therefore you should go. It helps explain the culture and the history of Japan.
18. What do you wish to do in the future?
I want to have a boyfriend. Also, I want to go to the summer festival, and watch the fireworks with him.
19. Where do you see yourself 10 years from now?
I will be in Osaka and/or Kyoto working hard. Wearing a suit daily, and always being busy. I would also like to have many cats. Nya!
20. What are a few things about yourself, and your country, that you would like the world to know about, that can help describe your character and understand who you are, or where your from?
I’m from KASAI city, and it has a very large flower park. In the spring a lot of people from all over Japan flock there to see the flowers. The most famous being the peonies.
As for me, I don’t like to be down/unhappy. I like being happy. I like to think that I’m always happy and fun. Sometimes I’m tired, but as long as I’m with my friends I’m fine. It doesn’t even matter if I’m at school, home, club activity, or just away.
I want a boyfriend soon! THANK YOU!
For more photos click the title or HERE!
