Last week, I had the good fortune of interpreting for Governor Shiota of Kagoshima prefecture, who visited DC for a few days with a large delegation to promote local agricultural and fishery products. Apparently, half of Kagoshima’s agricultural and fishery exports come to the U.S. (mainly the West Coast), and they are looking to further expand their customer base to other regions within the U.S.
I accompanied the Kagoshima delegation as they participated in the Japanese Street Festival (part of the National Cherry Blossom Festival) and promoted its tea and shochu, among many other products. I was surprised to learn that Kagoshima is the largest producer of tea in Japan. This includes green tea but many other varieties as well, including black tea (for which they are also the #1 producer in Japan!), hojicha, and oolong.
One of the greatest highlights during the delegation’s visit was a reception held at the Japanese ambassador’s residence. Chefs of several local restaurants showcased creative dishes using Kagoshima ingredients, including yellowtail, wagyu, eel, bonito flakes, and burdock root. Tea and shochu from Kagoshima once again had their own booths, much to the delight of guests. (I was especially thrilled to see Hamada Syuzou, who I had interpreted for seven years ago at an event at the Smithsonian!)
This event was widely covered by the media, and I also had the opportunity to talk about it in last week’s episode of TBS’s Washington Weekly.
This was a particularly meaningful assignment for me because my grandparents (who were originally from Tokyo) used to live in Kagoshima City. I spent many summers visiting them, and even got to attend a local elementary school for a few weeks. I have great memories enjoying the view of the majestic Sakurajima, being fascinated by how the city is regularly covered in volcanic ash, relishing heaps of black pork, and learning about the unique history of the Satsuma Domain at the end of the Edo period (including taking on a fight with Great Britain!) .
Many thanks to Governor Shiota and the Kagoshima delegation for the opportunity, Ambassador Yamada and everyone at the Embassy of Japan for their wonderful hospitality, and Grace Eventive for kindly introducing me to the delegation!
先週、ワシントンDCを訪問中だった鹿児島県の塩田知事の通訳を務めさせていただきました。知事は、地元の農林水産物のプロモーションのため、県庁・県議会や企業の方々とともに数日間いらしてました。鹿児島県の農林水産物の輸出の半分は米国（主に西海岸）向けであり、今回の訪問で、米国内の他の地域における顧客基盤の拡大を目指しているそうです。
鹿児島県の皆様は、ジャパニーズ・ストリート・フェスティバル（全米桜祭りの一環）に参加し、お茶や焼酎を含む多くの飲食物や観光のプロモーションを行いました。鹿児島県は、実は日本最大のお茶の産地だそうで、緑茶だけでなく、やはり日本一の生産量を誇る紅茶、ほうじ茶、烏龍茶など、バラエティにも富んでいるそうです。
今回の最大のハイライトの一つは、日本大使公邸で開催されたレセプションでした。地元のレストラン数軒のシェフらが、ブリ、和牛、ウナギ、鰹節、ゴボウなど、鹿児島の食材を使った様々な料理を披露しました。鹿児島産のお茶と焼酎のブースがここでも登場し、人気を博していました。（7年前に私がスミソニアンでのイベントで通訳をさせていただいた濱田酒造を見かけ、個人的にもとても嬉しく思いました。）
このイベントはメディアにも広く取り上げられ、私も先週放送されたTBSの『週刊ワシントン』でこの件についてお話しさせていただきました。
私にとって、これは特に意義深い仕事でした。祖父母（元は東京出身）がかつて鹿児島市に住んでいたため、私は夏になるとよく彼らを訪ねていました。地元の小学校に数週間通ったこともあります。雄大な桜島の景色を楽しんだり、街が火山灰に覆われる様子に驚いたり、黒豚をおなか一杯いただいたり、幕末の薩摩藩の歴史（藩として国を相手取った薩英戦争含め！）について学んだりした思い出が蘇り、とても懐かしく思いました。
Related post:
- Satsuma Shochu and memories of Kagoshima (Sake events in Washington, DC and Baltimore)
