Suwa Dialect
The Strange "O"
Usually when we put "o" in front of the noun, it means the word polite. We don't know the reason why
"o" is put in front of the following two examples, but it's there anyway.
| omachi |
town, city It's the same meaning as "machi".
Honnamon, omachi ni ikanakyaneewa. You can only get such things in TOWN. |
|
|
Events you have to attend whether you like it or not, to keep up good relations with your relatives or neighbours.
"Giri" is a social duty. Having more to do with principles, it should not depend on your gaining profit.
Kyo wa ogiri ga arunode, shitsureisimasu. I have to leave now because of "Ogiri". |
Let's Say Good-by to the Heisei Recession!
Low-priced Stores in the Fujimi Area!
"Minna-no-Te (Hands of Friends)" -
Bakery and Secondhand Clothes
Store
Minna-no-Te is a store full of heartwarming atmosphere in which disabled and able-bodied people are working together.
You should see the prices of their clothes!
Tel : 0266-62-7744
Closed on Sundays and holidays
Open from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
* Bread available on Thursdays only
"Refine Habaoka" -
Recycled Furniture Shop
Tombe, Shimosuwa-town (along Route 20, parking available)
If you are looking for used of discount furniture, this shop is where to go. There you will meet Ms. Yoshimi YOSHIMURA,
the advisor, who is willing to show you around the shop.
They will also take your used furniture (only if your bought it firsthand). But you are supposed to carry it to
the shop by yourself.
Tel : 0266-28-0348
Closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays
Open from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
"Ao-I-Tori (Blue Bird)" -
It also has a welfare shop.
A recycle shop which just moved to its present place in January this year. Next to the shop is a place called
"Human Network Friend" where warmhearted people get together and you can enjoy some tea and cake.
Tel : 0266-58-7307
Closed on Sundays, holidays and the 2nd Saturday of every month.
Open from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
"Fure-ai Bazaar (Heart Communication Bazaar)" -
a flea market
held twice a year
"Handmade" bazaar organised by the people of Fujimi Town for communication among themselves and with
those from outside. It is held at the beginning of May and in October every year.
Entry application are collected in advance every time. Contact the Fujimi Town Library for more information.
Place : Community Festival Square
Appeals for entry can be found on community broadcasting and newspaper.
Unmanned vegetable market
There are unattended markets where the local farmers come and put out various vegetables and where those vegetables
are sold.
They are so popular that you should go in the morning before they are sold out. Don't forget to bring small change.
JA's perishable foods sale hours, SEIYU's 100 yen sales
You will find many good bargains at supermarkets in the evening hours. Some are reduced nearly to half of the price
of just a few minutes before. But first come, first served.
At SEIYU, they have a special 100 yen sale on every Tuesday, and it's advisable to buy enough for the whole week
on this day.
Why don't you join in a flea market?
Some tips for setting up shop:
First call the organiser and tell them you intend to set up a booth. At this time, it is useful to ask about the
following points.
1) Any qualification required? Any entry fee?
2) How booth are assigned. If they are assigned on a first-come-first-serve basis on the day of the market, you
should arrive at the site early.
3) Is it allowed to sell food?
Once you set up your booth:
a) Feature some attractive articles. Something special to your home country will be very good!
b) Prepare some corners such as "100 yen each", "free gift", etc.
c) Reduce the price in the afternoon. Mark the lower price on the original price card.
What I Have Learned from Non-Japanese Immigrants
Ms Ikuyo Miyazawa, Suwa City
I had an opportunity to live with non-Japanese who came to Japan to find work. Because of the high prices in Japan,
they cut their own hair by themselves arranging two mirrors at such an angle that they could see their own backs,
and they even plugged a hole in a broken plastic cup with adhensive and used it. They also bought a car which seemed
like it may come apart at any moment and made it new by painting or repairing it. One husband even made a folding
ironing board for his plump wife, which she could use in a standing position.
I was much impressed with these things, but they only said to me laughing, "We do this, as we are poor."
When I heard this, I thought we Japanese might be poorer in sprit than they. Whenever they saw a dumping ground
with many appliances and cars still in working condition, they asked me, "Why do Japanese people do such a
thing?"
We often had parties, which were just simple affairs. They cooked specialties of their home countries with ground
chicken which cost 30 yen per 100 grams, and they talked and drank throughout the night. It was full of peals of
laughter with lots of friends there. One day before I left, they rented the public gym for 200 yen and a farewell
volleyball match for me. They cheered me even though I was not good at sports.
I'm now out of work. I, being a single mother, had been so busy with work while wondering if it was all right that
I couldn't pay any attention to the important things. I have no income now, but I have plenty of time, so I can
have another look at the many disused articles in my house and some things my children who have left home have
left behind.
I miss the life my non-Japanese friends who have taught me a very important lesson.
English Last Night
To our Japanese readers,
Have you ever had dreams in English? Let me tell you about my experience in Canada.
A long time ago when I first went to Canada to study English, I could hardly understand a word of English for the
first few days. So my dreams were all in Japanese. Then I began to understand and speak it little by little. At
that time people in my dreams spoke nothing -- it was like a silent movie. About one month later, however, as I
began to understand and speak English more and more, everyone in my dreams started to speak English! At first they
spoke only words, then simple sentences, and later people were speaking at the ordinary speed as they did in their
real life. It was a reflection of the reality of my life in Canada!
I have been teaching English since I cam back to Japan and sometimes work as an interpreter. So now my dreams are
both English and Japanese. On a day when I speak and hear a lot of English, my dream are in English. When I speak
only Japanese, do you know what happens to my dreams?
I have told my students about my dreams. Then don't believe me at first and say to me, "You must be kidding!"
So I reply to them, "Try to think about many things in English. Keep trying to do so." Some of my former
students have come to me and said, "Mrs. Kasai, listen, I had dream in ENGLISH LAST NIGHT!" Why don't
you try that too?
Good luck!
Sincerely
Yoriko Kasai
