A new trend in Japanese contemporary culture”Nigaoe”-An American and Japanese caricaturists/cartoonists meeting with Japanese pro tour guides

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  A famous  American caricaturist/cartoonist/photographer, Mr.David  “Bippy” Boyer http://web.mac.com/bippy/Site/Main_Selection.html  and a Japanese famous caricaturist Ms. Tomoko Ogawara http://www.hoshinoko.co.jp/tomoko/  had a  friendship meeting with some Japanese certified guide-interpreters in Ginza on this Aug.  26th(Thur.).

Dave-san,Tomoko-san, and the pro tour guides ( Photo: David Boyer, 2010, www.bippies.com)

 “Dave-san”(that is how I call Mr.David Boyer) and Tomoko-san(Ms.Ogawara) are my friends, with whom I went to Kamakura  for a one- day sightseeing there last November at Dave-san’s last visit to Japan as I wrote here. http://www.tenkai-japan.com/2010/01/14/one-day-in-kamakura-with-great-nigaoe-artists-part-1/

I met Dave-san at Yurakucho Station near Ginza and showed him around Ginza area for a walking tour.  He was took an interest in the Ginza street and its fancy stores and refined scenery there and took a lot of photos of them.  At the intersection of  the 4th block of Ginza, the most expensive land or block in whole of  Japan, he took a photo of himself with his photography book of travel of  his journeys to Japan. This book “Japan: A  Carttonist’s Journey -Vol.1.10” is available at the website here via the Internet. http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/1517766  The book is full of  beautiful photos that  he took of  daily life of people, streets, parks, and scenes in many places in Japan with his intriguing  comments over his impressions of Japan and things he has come across there. 

Dave-san holding his first book of travel at the most expensive corner in Japan(the intersection of the 4th block in Ginza) (Photo: David Boyer, 2010, www.bippies.com)

Dave-san playing the Shakuhachi flute for us

 Tomoko-san kindly drew nigaoe for every member of us , all of which were quite amazingly looked like the each subject and splendid.

Tomoko-san drawing Nigaoe pictures for us

She also explained her activities of promoting Nigaoe culture internationally. She is drawing up the “Artists’ Sheets” recruiting her nigaoe artists supporters from all over the world to set up a good international network of  realizing prevalence of Nigaoe culture in the international community.I personally helped fer form such artists’ sheets with translations.

Tomoko-san showing and explaining her "Artists Sheets" to us (photos: David Boyer,2010, www.bippies.com)

We all exchanged information, ideas, and opinions about how we can and should develop and promote Japanese tourism, inbound industry, and our characteristic culture appealing potential foreign visitors and tourists to Japan. Dave-san emphasized the significance of  the soul of “Hospitality” and considerations for people you meet.

Dave-san explaining about the importance of "Hospitality" and his personal experience of looking after tourists in US

He also taught us about the over 14 American dialects. To understand those geographical, topographical,  demographic, and other traits of the places, occasions, and people including the incoming visitors should be kept in mind in order for tour guides to do the best, Dave-san said.   According to him, for example, most of customers to a Chinese restaurant  tend to take an interest in  just ordering “fried rice or white rice”, though such a facility is decorated with variety of beautiful oriental arts.  This could be said to a Japanese  restaurant as well where a foreign customer tends to think there is only one kind of “miso soup” may exist, despite in the reality there are various types of  miso soups featured by each prefectural or regional characters and propensities.

  Therefore,  tour guides should give short interesting tips about a cultural aspect that one can understand quickly.  Japanese can be good teachers of  Japanese  culture to foreign visitors. He also stated the concept of “fun” is a very important element when it comes to taking care of  guests.   Our modern life tends to be very quick and whirlwind  like a merry-go-round ,but the concept of relaxation is an acute factor in the hospitality business.

Dave-san talking about the merry-go-round like cycles

Dave-san and Tomoko-san explaining the Nigaoe culture

Tomoko-san drawing nigaoe, explaing how to do so to the members

the tour guides members

the tour guides members listening to Dave-san and Tomoko-san

Dave-san talking to the members

 We were able to make a very good and intriguing opportunity of  an international and cultural communications.  After the meeting, Dave-san and I did a “Ginza Walking Tour” again. I think  there a lot of  chances and room for developing “Nigaoe” as a new aspect of  a”Japanese” culture which will attract anyone worldwide.   

Dave-san, intereted in watches including Japanese ones, on one of the main streets in Ginza

Dave-san enjoying a piece of a pinapple at a fruit store in front of Yurakucho station

Posted in Old and New Cultural Scenes in Japan • • Top Of Page

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3 Responses to “A new trend in Japanese contemporary culture”Nigaoe”-An American and Japanese caricaturists/cartoonists meeting with Japanese pro tour guides”

Comment from David Boyer
Time 24/09/2010 at 11:38

2010.9.23 – This is one of the best reports I have ever read. It has been edited and shows clearly that what we met about was very important.

If there is any way that the report helps the certified translators and tour guides, then I am happy. To move forward, you need a plan of action now with a schedule.

I continue to wish to help in this effort by at least answering any questions someone may have. Yoroshiko onegaishimasu.

Anatano tomodachi,
Dave “Bippy” Boyer
New York

Comment from TERRY
Time 30/09/2010 at 23:33

＞Dave-san

Thank you for your kind comment! I am very happy,too.I clearly remember what we talked about at the meeting on that day. Let us keep exchanging our ideas,information,and opiniions over our activities !