Occupation:
Composer and professor of music
Time in Japan:
Four years
What do you do here?
I teach fall semesters at Keio University (Mita). My course is called "The Arts in
American Culture Since 1945." The other half of the year, I teach musical composition
at Dartmouth College in New Hampshire, USA. I also spend my time composing music.
What kind of music do you compose?
I compose two kinds: traditional classical instrumental and electro-acoustic music, for
example, Contes de la Memoire, available at Tower Records (Shibuya) in the
ambient and new age section.
What do you think about Japanese music?
The traditional court music is unique, but it has as little to do with contemporary Japan
as classical music does with American life today. On the other hand, the Japanese know
more about American music than people in the United States do, especially jazz and new
music. Japanese pop seems too imitative of American and European pop.
How did you get started?
I originally came to Japan as part of an official exchange between Keio and Dartmouth.
Having enjoyed my Japanese students, I arranged to be here half of each year. I now feel
at home in both places - Tokyo because it is an exciting city, and New England because the
countryside is so beautiful.
Are Japanese students different from American students?
For most Japanese university students, their four years of undergraduate study are the
only time they will experience a measure of freedom in their lives; the period between the
grueling college entrance examinations and their lives as salarymen or shufu (housewives).
Hence, most of my students don' come to class but somehow still manage to graduate. Most
of my students in America are interested in their education, attend class and do not
graduate if they ignore them.
Where are you from?
I was born and raised in Hollywood, California, but I have lived in Vermont since 1967.
And, of course, I live here every year for six months.
Are you planning to stay?
Since I am nearly sixty years old, I sometimes think I should settle in one place.
What do you like about Japan most?
The deep and subtle understanding Japanese people have of each other. Also, the absence of
overt conflict and the efficiency of daily life.
What do you dislike about Japan most?
The fear of risk-taking in educational and creative work and the efficiency of daily life.
Do you organize your CDs alphabetically?
No, simply by the style of music. The biggest category is those that don't belong to any
style!
What's the weirdest thing you've ever seen or experienced in Japan?
At 6:30 in the morning, in an otherwise empty subway car, I was squashed between two sumo
wrestlers in full costume.
What do you sing in the shower?
I want to be loved by you, boo boo bee do!
If you could take one thing back from Japan to your native country, what would it
be?
Manners.
Do you have a favorite place to eat or drink in Tokyo?
A wonderfully exotic and creative Japanese restaurant near the Russian Embassy called
Kome.
Where would you like to be when the big one hits?
In someone's arms.
Where do you want to be New Year's Eve 1999?
The Kingdom of Tonga. It's the first place to greet the new year, I think. Look at the
globe. The dateline is moved to accommodate that country. Also, I am a friend of His Royal
Highness Crown Prince Tupouto'a and he invited me.
You have to spend the rest of your life trapped on the Yamanote line. You're
allowed to take one book, one CD and one luxury item. What would they be?
The book would be The Teachings of Buddha. The CD would be my own, Contes de
la Memoire. The luxury item would be a cellular phone capable of reaching anyone in
the world.
Jon Appleton
LIFE IN JAPAN: