20110224 "Happy Japan!"
"TRANSMUTED" International Performance Art Festival Mexico City Mexico
Almost
7 years ago Japanese diet decided what are Japanese flag and
Japanese anthem in the law. Before there was no law for Japanese
flag and the national anthem. Now in some school ceremonies like
graduation, People should show Japanese flag and sing the
national anthem. And sometimes teachers and students who do not
like to respect the flag and sing the national anthem in the
ceremony are punished by the director because of the law now.
Before there was some agreement among people with
Japanese flag was symbol of militarism and the anthem celebrate
the Emperor in spite of them not agreeing.
As a
member of Japan Overseas Cooperate Volunteers I lived Zanzibar,
Tanzania from '92 to '94 and I taught wood block printing to
Zanzibar young artists at the art school of Nyumba ya Sanaa,
Zanzibar.
Before I went to Tanzania , All members of Japan Overseas
Cooperate Volunteers had to meet the Emperor who is the hornoly
president of the organization. When I said to the organization
that I wanted to not meet him the day before the meeting, They
said to me that It was OK,but your mission would be canceled not
because of the law.
In Tanzania we got 200USD per month for meals, books and petrols
for motor bike. Those days Tanzanian people got 30USD from their
jobs as usual.
In Tanzania I had a lot of girl friend who loved my money.