Bloggers, Let’s Make Sure the Next Japan Blog Matsuri Rocks! - an interview with Rocking In Hakata

On October 21, 2007 in Interviews, JapanBlogMatsuri, On the J-web

We’re back again today with Deas from Rocking In Hakata. Yesterday I mentioned why RIH is one of my favourite sites. Today we’re going to hear about Deas’ motivations for starting the site and a bit about the Japan Blog Matsuri.

So let’s get started:

Daily J: What motivated you to start Rocking in Hakata?

Deas: I started the site for a few reasons. 1) I live on an island where everything closes down at 7 or 7:30, and I needed a hobby and a way to stay connected to the outside world. 2) I wanted a way to have the kinds of discussions I used to have in person with my buddies - so as an expressive outlet? Sounds kind of uppity to say it that way. I basically like sharing thoughts. 3) It is partially a continuation of my old student journal, which was there for other prospective students. I don’t know how accurate that is anymore, though.

Daily J: Where did you get the idea for the name of your site? (i.e. why “rocking”?)

Deas: This is probably boring…but it comes from the slang phrases in English. You know, “Rock on!” and so on. I’m not in a band here or anything. It was actually part of my cell phone email here. During study abroad, I had a bad pun - Youth in Asia - in my address. This time, it seemed popular to reference your placement as an ALT (on the JET program) in the cell address. Maybe people can keep better track of my location than they can my name? I’ve actually been thinking of changing it…because…what happens when I’m no longer on Hakatajima? (Plus, people frequently think I’m talking about THE Hakata. The one in Kyushu. Understandable.)

Daily J: Can you tell us a bit about April’s blog matsuri? Have you heard any word on the next blog matsuri? Will you do it again if there is one?

Deas: April’s Japan Blog Matsuri was an attempt at a Japan-themed Blog Carnival that was put together by Ken Y-N over at What Japan Thinks. I highly recommend that you ask him for an interview next. He’s a great fellow. Anyway, it was my turn to host the matsuri, so I chose the theme of “tourism.” It was…well, in a word, mediocre. It was astoundingly difficult to inspire other bloggers to participate, and ginning up support requires a lot of time and effort. Due to the lack of enthusiasm, the official Japan Blog Matsuri is on hold…but I’m more than willing to jump back into it when / if it’s reinstated.

It’s sad to hear things like “lack of enthusiasm” and “difficult to inspire other bloggers to participate.” I think that bloggers have a responsibility to all the other Japan-enthusiasts out there. And it is a fun responsibility so I don’t know why coming together is so hard. But I know that it can be done and if we work together the next Japan Blog Matsuri will ROCK!

Well, I’ll get off of my soapbox now. Be sure to check out RockingInHakata. And then tune in again tomorrow as we will be chatting with Deas about some of the creative and entertaining content on his site. Heroes and horses and whales, oh my…

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