Hockey Night In Japan.

Although most of the hockey in Japan is played in the most northern island, there are still some hockey rinks in Tokyo, and where there are rinks there will be hockey.

Curious as to the state of the game here in Japan, I attended a practise of the Kukodo Lions of the Asian Hockey League. This is a professional legaue, with 4 teams from Japan, three from China, and two from Korea. It is stocked with former NHL Players such as Esa Tikkannen, Shjon Podein and, Derek Plante, as well as a collection of European, Canadian, American and local players. This is a new league, created as a result of the contraction of exisiting franchises. The downturn in the economy has had consequences for the domestic hockey leagues, since most clubs are privately sponsored and funded. At the practise I met and talked a great deal with the star player of the Kukodo Lions, Joel Prpic. Joel is from Sudbury, and following stints with the Boston Bruins and Colorado Avananche, has made his living here in Japan. He, like teamate Ryan Fuschita, spends from late August to April in Japan, and then returns home for the off-season. The club plays a 40-game schedule and draws a base crowd of some 2,000 for homegames. At left, me poising with Joel Prpic at the bench.

I found both the games and the practices to be surprizingly Western in philosophy, method, culture and execution; maybe not such a great surprize given that the coaches and most of the players are either from or have spent time, playing in North America. The level of the quality of play is quite high, although they play a skating and finesse game, rather than a physical one.

In all, I attended two semi-final playoff games, doing technical work for the Lions' coach, Mr. Chris Wakabashi, who is the son of one of Japan's early hockey icons. The Lions won their semi-final round and now advance to the league finals. Unfortunately, I will not be able to take in any homegames, as I will be back in Canada by that time. However, I do wish Joel and his team all the best for the future, and I hope that they will continue to represent some of the best of the Canadian exports to the locals.

Elsewhere, we took in the atmosphere of the Maple Leaf Club, in Shibuya. This is a cultural island in Japan, featuring as it does, such treats as widscreen hockey and curling games, hamburgers, and even a Mondy Nite Special; a Labatt's Blue and a Poutine for $10! Suitably decorate with an Early Log Cabin motif, one is surrounded by such cultural icons as the Provincial Flags, hockey sweaters from all Canadian NHL Teams, a stuffed Jackalope, skates, and even snowshoes hanging from the walls.

I could not help but notice that there were way more Europeans there than Canadians, and that the Japanese favour the place as somewhere they can practise their English! One more little slice of home on this island on the other side of the world. At Left; some of the Shibuya skyscrapers, and at right; the Tokyo skyline as seen from the top of the building at the left.


Sited Along The Way:

• The Japanese are always cleaning and tidying up, even the streets in from of their homes. Here is a handy cleanup kit put on a utility pole in the residential area.

• Another sweet shop. this one is the Beard Papa Sweet shop.

• St. Valentine's Day in Japan operates slightly differently than back home. first of all, it is a day where the lady gives the man flowers or a gift. The guys wait until mid-March, when it is their turn to bestow gifts on what is called The White Day. Intrestingly-enough, White is not normally worn as a colour other than at funerials to express mourning. The sole expection to this is in the case of a Western Wedding, where the bride will wear all-white. Black is consistered good luck, and most people wear this colour daily. At left; a lady on the subway bearing a Valentine gift.
• Weddings here are a decidedly casual affair, as might be expected under the Shinto relion, which is remarkably tolerant in approach. (For one thing, it is entirely possible to be both Buddahist and Shinto in religion; neither is viewed as being exclusive.) Secondly, you are 'married' by whomever, whenever. Jay's sister is a nun, and, interested in the marriage ceremony details, once asked a local man who performs marriages what qualified him to do so. He replied "Well, I am a Christian!".

Doug-San In Japan

Saying Sayonara for now.