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The first thing that amazed this interviewer was how fluently Mr. Clugston speaks Japanese. This became easier to understand when we learned that he was born in Kobe and lived in Japan until he was 16 years old. He went on to graduate from university in his native country, Canada, where he became a diplomat for the Canadian Government. This career led to a stint at the Canadian Embassy in Tokyo for a number of years. Says Mr. Clugston, "I have in fact spent about half my life in Japan."
Ms. Paula Bowers is clearly his ideal partner, with an equally expansive knowledge of Japan, having studied Japanese culture and history as a university student. The couple has been living in Kansai since last August when Mr. Clugston arrived to take up his new post as Consul General. Asked about the features that make Kansai attractive, he first pointed to the historical and cultural aspects that survive in so many places. He said, "The other day, we had an opportunity to look around the Katsura Imperial Villa in Kyoto. It was magnificent and I was especially impressed by the sense of absolute harmony created between the buildings, gardens and nature." Ms. Paula Bowers added, "Sento Imperial Palace was also marvelous. In traditional Japanese culture there is true artistry in the way nature's beauty is condensed within very limited spaces. That is especially apparent in the gardens and flower arrangements and really appeals to us." Both husband and wife are deeply impressed by the genuine beauty inherent within traditions that Japanese people nowadays often seem to neglect. They also noted that each of the areas around Kansai, including Osaka, Kobe, Kyoto, Nara etc. retain their own distinct identities having their own unique features. Osaka and Kobe have the kind of bustling vitality and atmosphere of the big city each having a personality that stands very much in contrast to Kyoto and Nara. Each and every town has a special history and culture that acts as a source of pride for all their residents. |
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The couple, who also lived in Tokyo for many years, prefer city life for every day living. They commented that cities such as Osaka and Kobe in which people and things are concentrated have the same attraction as big cities like New York. Says Mr. Clugston, " My wife and I like to dine out at 'Izakaya' (Japanese-style bars) where we can eat and drink a wide variety of foods in a lively atmosphere." Ms. Paula Bowers enjoys hunting for antiques and curios in the shopping center beneath the elevated railway lines of Motomachi. Other aspects of life they enjoy are the urban facilities, cultural establishments and amusement facilities found in such places as the Kitano area and Harbor Land in Kobe. In Osaka they particularly like the Osaka Aquarium (Kaiyukan) and Suntory Museum. To have a quiet and safe life within such big cities is an attraction not found in any other country in the world. They are especially pleased about this feature, adding "We have two little boys and can let them play around the neighborhood without worrying. They are very popular with the old folk who live nearby who keep remarking how cute they are". Mr. Clugston and Ms. Paula Bowers are clearly satisfied with living in Kansai where they can socialize with the neighbors very comfortably. |
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Another attraction of Kansai is that historical, traditional and natural attractions are located so conveniently around the modern and safe cities. "For example" they said, "from our house we have good views of Mt. Rokko as well as over the city and can even see as far as Wakayama on a fine day like today. As well as being able to see the ocean and mountain we are very close to Suma beach. Such things are impossible in Tokyo." Coming from a mother country that is so affluent in nature on a grand scale, they can appreciate having natural attractions near at hand while living in the city. One happy anecdote they shared with us " The other day when we were driving in our car along a road in Mt. Rokko, we had wild boars running after us. So now we always look out for them every time we drive through the area." Kansai's nature, ever close, allows various forms of enjoyment to accompany the changing seasons. Mr. Clugston and Ms. Paula Bowers have enjoyed Arima Onsen (hot springs) among the seasonal colors and tints of autumn, Katsura Imperial Villa with a light dusting of snow and the seasonal bustle of Nishinomiya Ebisu Shrine at New year. Now they are looking forward to the cherry blossom viewing in spring. "There are many wonderful spots for viewing the cherry blossom in Kansai", they continued "for example, Osaka Castle, Yoshino and Shukugawa in our own neighborhood." Mr. Clugston added that he also appreciates the variety of seasonal events and food flavors that come around in turn. "Drinking and eating under the cherry blossoms in spring, cold sake in summer, and various hot pot dishes (nabe) for keeping warm in winter are examples of some of the wonderful aspects of Japanese life in which the charm of each season is celebrated in a number of different ways." |
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The couple enjoys the charm of Kansai's four seasons to the full, but one thing they find difficult to cope with is the heat of the Japanese summer. "I arrived at my new post in August, which is high summer in Kansai. I tried to wear a business suit and tie when meeting people for the first time, but it was extremely hot" said Mr. Clugston. So the 'Kansai summer energy saving campaign (ecostyle campaign)' promoted by Kansai Council impressed him a great deal. "When I met Mr. Akiyama, President of the Kansai Economic Confederation, he was lightly dressed for work in just a shirt and no tie. Considering how hot it is in summer here, I thought this made so much sense. Wearing light clothes in summer allows energy saving and is therefore much more environmentally friendly. I hope this campaign will catch widely from now on" said Mr. Clugston, offering powerful encouragement in true gentleman style. |
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Lastly, when we asked the couple about the tourism spots they would highly recommend to Canadian visitors, they each gave the other a puzzled look and exclaimed, " There are just too many!" Mr. Clugston singled out old temples like Kinkakuji or Ginkakuji in Kyoto, and Todaiji or Horyuji in Nara. And he felt he should add the Grand Shrine of Ise and Himeji Castle too. He also said that Osaka has a lot of historic places like Sumiyoshi Grand Shrine and Osaka Castle. Ms. Paula Bowers mentioned that "the Osaka Aquarium (Kaiyukan) and Universal Studios Japan (set to open this spring) are particularly good for people travelling with children." Mr. Clugston went on to list some other favorable spots as follows. Amano Hashidate which is famous (and curious) for being best viewed from between one's own thighs, the rural scenery in the Tanba area, the hot springs in Arima, Kinosaki and Tozugawa. He also included Fukui, Kyoto and the northern parts of Hyogo where the coastal scenery along the Sea of Japan is especially beautiful. Mr. Clugston and Ms. Paula Bowers both have an encyclopedic knowledge of Kansai and it is impossible to list all the spots they recommended. |
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They have completely adapted themselves to Japanese life after many years living here although they always observe the life and culture in Kansai from an international perspective and as diplomats. After the interview with Mr. Clugston and Ms. Paula Bowers, we could keenly sense their sincere understanding of the special attractions in Kansai that too many Japanese people today take for granted. |
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