Contractions and abbreviations

(This has been sitting in my post list as a draft for a while, so since I had some time today I figured I'd finally post it.)

Spoken and manga Japanese is full of contractions/abbreviations. Some of them are widely known and used while others are not. It can make things rather difficult for a non-native speaker. Here's a short list of some of the random ones that I often use/hear or have simply stuck in my head:

konbini コンビニ = convenience store コンビニエンスストア
(Ubiquitous in Japan and actually very very convenient)

shaapen シャーペン = sharp pencil シャープペンシル
mechanical pencil

K.Y. = kuuki yomenai 空気読めない
can't read the atmosphere, clueless

goukon 合コン= goudou kompa 合同コンパ
group blind date (a group of guys meets with a group of girls in equal numbers)

konkatsu 婚活= kekkon katsudou 結婚活動
marriage hunting; activities leading to marriage (e.g. dating, courtship, etc.)

enren 遠恋　= enkyori renai 遠距離恋愛
long distance relationship

enkou　援交 =  enjo kousai 援助交際
dating with compensation; schoolgirl prostitution
(Got this from the Kimi ni Todoke 君に届け manga. My Japanese teacher friend was more than a little surprised when I asked her what it meant.)

konmisu コンミス = concert mistress コンサートミストレス
apparently the concert master/mistress is second only to the conductor in an orchestra

paarii パーリー = part leader パートリーダー
eg. the trumpets' (part) leader
(Got this from the Aozora Yell: Yell for the Blue Sky 青空エール manga, whose main character is part of the school brass band. I think the short form sounds an awful lot like the French/Japanese pronunciation of "Paris"...)

*TKG = tamago kake gohan 卵かけご飯
a dish of rice (gohan) topped with  (raw) egg (tamago), usually mixed with a little soy sauce
(*some boys in one of my junior high school made this one up)

*daijoubanai = daijoubu de wa nai 大丈夫ではない
not OK
(*another one made up by some of my junior high school boys)

Fellow students of Japanese, what are some of your "favourites"?
(Incidentally, mine are TKG and daijoubanai even though probably because they were made up by my students and therefore aren't widely used--kind of like an inside joke.)

Spring 2012 Events in Towada

Spring has come (?) to Towada and with it come a whole bunch of events!!

See this site for a comprehensive listing of events (Japanese only):
Towada Spring Festival 2012 Event Map/Information

栗林隆WATER >|< WASSER　（ウオーター　ミズ　ヴァッサー）
Takashi Kuribayashi WATER >|< WASSER
Date:  Sat. Apr. 21-Sun. Sep. 2, 2012
Time: 9:00-17:00, Tue.-Sun. (closed Mondays, except Apr. 23, May 1, Aug. 8 & 13) 
   11:00-17:00 Sat. Apr. 21
   9:00-19:30 Fri. Apr. 27-Sun. May 6; Fri. Aug.3-Sun. Aug. 5, Fri. Aug. 10-Sun. Aug. 12
Location: 十和田市現代美術館、中心商店街ほか　Towada Art Center, around the Central Shopping Arcade, etc.
Admission:  500yen; 300yen/person for groups of 20 or more;  free for high school students and under

栗林隆アーティストトーク　Takashi Kuribayashi Artist Talk
Date: Sun. Apr. 22
Time: 14:00-15:30
Location: 十和田市現代美術館 Towada Art Center
Admission: Free *exhibit ticket required* **limited to first 50 people**
Special Guests:
- 中田英寿（一般財団法人TAKE ACTION FOUNDATION 代表理事）
Hidetoshi Nakata (TAKE ACTION FOUNDATION, Representative Director)
- 南條史生（森美術館館長） Fumio Nanjo (Mori Art Museum, Director)


第９回桜流鏑馬 (Sakura Yabusame)
Cherry Blossom* Horseback Archery
(PDF poster)
Date: Sat. Apr. 28-Sun. Apr. 29, 2012
Time: 10:00-14:00
Location: 中央公園緑地 Chuo (Central) Park (map)
Admission: Free
Events:
- 流鏑馬競技（初級・中級・プロ級・団体戦) Women's competitions (all levels)
-体験乗馬、馬車運行など Horseback riding; horse-pulled cart rides, etc. 
- やぶさめビンゴゲーム Yabusame BINGO Game (Sun. Apr. 29 only)
* The event is called "Cherry Blossom Horseback Archery" but considering the cherry blossom blooming period of the past few years (around Golden Week--i.e. the first week of May) and the particularly long, cold winter this year, unfortunately it's entirely probable that there won't actually be any cherry blossoms out in time for the event

"メンズ限定"YABUSAMEエキシビション 
Men's Yabusame Exhibition
Date: Mon. Apr. 30, 2012 (Showa Day Substitute Holiday)
Time: 11:00-14:00
Location: 中央公園緑地 Chuo Park (map)
Admission: Free

Dance in 駒っこ広場 (Komakko Hiroba)
(Street　the　party　vo．1)
Date: Sun. Apr. 29, 2012
Time: 13:00-15:00
Place: 駒っこ広場 (官庁街通り) Komakko Hiroba (Kanchogai Dori) - across from the Police Box on Kanchogai Street *雨天時はアートステーショントワダ or Art Station Towada (map) in the event of rain*

よさこい元気祭り Yosakoi Genki Matsuri
Date: Mon. Apr. 30 (Showa Day Substitute Holiday)
Time: 13:00-15:00
Location: 駒っこ広場 Komakko Hiroba *雨天時はアートステーショントワダ or Art Station Towada (map) in the event of rain*

市内幼稚園児作成したワックスボールを点灯します
Lit Up Wax Globes Made by Local Nursery School Students
Date:  Sat. Apr. 28 - Sun. May 6
Time: 18:00-20:00
Location: アートステーショントワダ (AST) Art Station Towada (map)

桜展望台 Cherry Blossom Viewing Observation Floor
Date: Cherry Blossom blooming period
Time: 9:30-20:00
Location: 市役所新館5階展望ロビー　City Hall (New Building), 5th flr (map)
Admission: Free

夜桜と光の演出 Night Sakura Illuminations
Date: Cherry Blossom blooming period
Time: 18:00-22:00
 Location: Kanchogai Dori (Street) & Chuo (Central) Park
Admission: Free 

太素ウオーク 2012 (Taiso Walk)
Date: Thu. May 3 (Constitution Memorial Day Holiday)
Time: 8:30-15:00 (Registration 7:30-8:30)
Location: 太素塚集合 Start at the Taisozuka (Nitobe Memorial Museum area)
Fee: 1500 yen (includes lunch, insurance, etc.)
Courses: A Course (19km), B Course (14km), C Course (6km)
Registration Period: Tue. Apr. 3 - Fri. Apr. 20
Contact: 社団法人　十和田市観光協会 Towada Tourism Bureau
TEL:0176 -24 -3006

太素祭 Taiso-sai (Taiso Festival)
Date: Thu. May 3-Sat. May 5
Time: 10:00-19:00
Location: 太素塚 Taisozuka (Nitobe Memorial Museum area)
Admission: Free
Events: Student choral performances, karaoke contests, Japanese drum (taiko) performances *stage performances are only on Thu. May 3 & Fri. May 4*

ToWaCoN まちコン 
Towada Singles Party (Goukon*)
Date: Sat. May 12Time: 18:00-21:00 (Registration 16:30-17:30)
Location: アートステーショントワダ (AST) Art Station Towada (map)
Fee: 6000yen men; 4000yen women
Registration: Single men & women over 20 years of age should register in pairs (of the same gender) online
*See JeKai for a concise explanation of "goukon" and a Feb. 14, 2012 Japan Times article for an explanation about the recent "Machikon" phenomenon

February 2012 Events in Towada

第24回とわだ雪見ラリー 
Towada Yukimi (Snow Viewing) Rally
Date: Wed. 8 Feb. 2011
Time: Sign-in: 17:00~; Start: 18:00; Finish (for Prize Draw): 20:00 
Location: (受付・抽選会場)十和田商工会館 (Phone: 0176-24-1111 / Fax: 0176-24-1563)
(Reception/Prize Draw) Towada Chamber of Commerce & Industry
Fee: 2500 yen (in advance); 3000yen (at door)
Description: Your fee gets you one drink (of your choice) at a number of specified bars. Get a stamp for each finished drink and bring the completed stamp card back to the Chamber of Commerce & Industry (by 20:00) to be entered into the prize draw.

十和田市伝統芸能まつり
Towada Dentou Geinou Matsuri (Traditional Performing Arts Festival) 
(Download: PDF Poster)
Date: Sun. Feb. 12, 2012, 12:00~16:00
Location: Bunka Center
Admission: Free
Description: Performances include Koma Odori (horse dance), Keimai (rooster dance), Nanatsu Dougu (dance with seven implements)

十和田現代美術館イベント・ワークショップ
Towada Art Center Events/Workshops:
(For more info, see the website (Japanese): towadaartcenter.com)

こたつの天板にラクガキしちゃおう
Graffiti Up the Kotatsu Tabletop
Date: Sat. Feb. 4, 2012
Time: 10:00-15:00
Admission: Free
*NO reservations required!*

大団欒パフォーマンス (Dance Wag)
Large group performance (Dance Wag)
Date: Sun. Feb. 5, 2012
Time: 10:00-15:00
Admission: Free
*NO reservations required!* 

石鹸・小物デコパージュ
Soap and Small Item Decoupage*
*decoupage: the art of decorating surfaces by applying cutouts (as of paper) and then coating with usually several layers of finish (as lacquer or varnish)- Merriam-Webster
Date(s) & Time(s): Fri. Feb. 10 & 24, 2012, 10:00-15:00
Fee: 石鹸 soap 500yen; 小物 small item 1000yen

羊毛フェルトのちいさなマスコット
(youmou felt no chiisana mascot ) Wool Felt Small Mascot (Making)
Date(s) & Time(s): Fri. Feb. 10 & Sat. Feb. 18, 2012, 9:50 & 13:10 *limit of 10 people/session, reservations required
Fee: 1000yen

樹脂粘土アクセサリー
Resin Clay Accessory
Date(s) & Time(s): Sat. Feb. 11 & 25, 2012, 10-00-15:00
Fee: 1000yen

甘い香りを楽しみながら「育てる」蜜蝋キャンドルづくり
Beeswax Candle Making
Date(s) & Time(s): Sat. Feb. 11 & Fri. Feb. 24, 2012, 9:50 & 13:10 *limit of 10 people/session, reservations required
Fee: 1000yen

和布ボトン飾り付きブローチ（クリッピ付き）
Japanese Fabric Brooch Decorated with a Button (with Clip)
Date(s) & Time(s): Sun. Feb. 12 & Fri. Feb. 17, 2012, 10:00-15:00
Fee: 500yen

フェアトレードガラスビーズのアクセサリーづくり
Fair Trade Glass Bead Accessory
Date(s) & Time(s): Sun. Feb. 12, 2012, 10:00-15:00
Fee: from 500yen

ゆびあみシュシュ・アクセサリー
Finger Knit(ting) Scrunchie/Accessory
Date(s) & Time(s): Fri. Feb. 17, Sun. Feb. 26, 2012, 10:00-15:00
Fee: 500yen

和布シュシュ（ビーズ付き）
Japanese Fabric Scrunchie (with Beads)
Date(s) & Time(s): Sat. Feb. 18, 2012, 10:00-15:00
Fee: 500yen

段ボール機（はた）裂織
Cardboard Sakiori* Loom
(*sakiori: cloth made from old pieces of fabric and threads woven together)
Date(s) & Time(s): Sun. Feb. 19, 2012, 13:10 *limit of 15 people/session, reservations required
Fee: 500yen

スイーツデコホイップ
Sweets Deco-Whip (?)
Date(s) & Time(s): Sun. Feb. 19, 2012, 13:10 *limit of 15 people/session, reservations required
Fee: 500yen

自分で作るアロマスプレー＋ヨガの呼吸とセルフマッサージ
Create Your Own Aroma Spray, Yoga Breathing and Self-Massage
Date(s) & Time(s): Sat. Feb. 25 & Sun. Feb. 26, 9:50 & 13:10 *limit of 15 people/session, reservations required
Fee: 800yen

Towadako Fuyu Monogatari 2012

十和田湖冬物語Snow & Light Fantavista
Towadako Fuyu Monogatari (Lake Towada Winter Story)

Date: Fri. 3 Feb.-Sun. 26 Feb. 2012
Location: Lake Towada (Access maps available here: http://www.towadakofuyumonogatari.com/access/access_01.html)
*scroll down for special shuttle bus info*

Time/Event Schedule: 
Try:
 - 体験館 Workshops & Events (e.g. make a wax ball for 500yen): Mon.-Fri.: 15:00-21:00, Sat.-Sun.: 11:00-21:00 *participants limited; reservations recommended
- 十和田湖畔温泉足湯体験 Foot (Hot) Spa: Mon.-Fri.:17:00-21:00; Sat.-Sun.: 11:00-21:00: 300yen
Eat & Drink:
- *NEW* ゆきあかり横丁　Yuki Akari Yokocho (Alleyway "Restaurants"/food court): Mon.-Fri.: 15:00-21:00; Sat.-Sun.: 11:00-21:00
- ウインターバーWinter Bar: Daily 17:00-21:00: 500yen for a commemorative glass and hot mulled wine (free refills!)
- かまくらBAR Kamakura (Snow Hut) Bar: Daily 17:30-21:00
- 酒かま蔵 Sake Kamakura (Snow Hut): Daily 18:00-21:00: 500yen/cup
 View:
- お笑いかまくら "Cutie Brothers" Kamakura Comedy Performance: Sat.-Sun.: 20:10~ : 500yen admission fee
- Stage performances: Mon.-Fri.: 17:30, 19:00, 20:30; Sat.-Sun: 19:00~
- Illuminations: Daily 17:00~21:00
- Fireworks: Daily 20:00

For more information, see the website (Japanese): http://www.towadakofuyumonogatari.com/

*Special Shuttle Bus*
(running once daily between the Towada Art Center and Lake Towada)
Cost: 1000 yen (round trip)
Departure: leaving 16:00* Art Museum, arriving 17:30 at Lake
Return: leaving 20:30*, arriving 22:00 at Art Museum
*please get to the bus stop at least 5min before the scheduled departure time

Seats are limited to 40 seats per day on a first-come, first-served basis. Reservations must be made at least *one day* in advance of departure.

Ticket reservations can be made by phone/fax from 9:00-17:00: TEL: 0176-23-7765/ FAX: 0176-22-7731

十和田奥入瀬まるごとシャトル予約専用"『冬物語号』予約"とお申し付けください。(Ask for  "'Fuyu Monogatari Gou' yoyaku" to be transferred to the Towada Oirase Marugoto Shuttle reservation line)

See the Towada Kankou (Japanese) site for more info: http://www.towada-kankou.jp/sight/2012/01/post-14.html