The Japantimes の Municipalities set up skate parks amid post-Olympics popularity という記事を読んだ方からのメッセージをご紹介します。
アメリカのカリフォルニア州ストックトンにルーツがあり、日本在住１０年以上のスケーターの方からのメッセージです。
日本のストリートスポーツ環境をもっともっと改善したいと考えて下さっている方とのメッセージのやり取りです。
スケートパークを地元に欲しいと考えている皆様の参考になると幸いです。
Here is a message from a reader of The Japantimes article Municipalities set up skate parks amid post-Olympics popularity.
A message from a skater who has roots in Stockton, California, USA and has been living in Japan for over 10 years.
This is an exchange of messages with people who want to improve the Japanese street sports environment.
I hope that it will be a reference for everyone who wants a skate park in their hometown.
Dear Mr. Kawasaki Satoru, I read your quote in the Japan Times, “If we create a place (for skateboarders) to coexist with local residents and the scenery, fewer people will do (skateboarding) on the street,” Satoru Kawasaki, head of the association, said. “We want to see an increase in the number of fascinating skate parks.” I live in Nishi Waseda, and I would be very interested in connecting with you to help develop safe and well mannered skateparks for people to keep the growing sport of skateboarding alive in Japan while keeping people off the street. As a skateboarder since the late 70s in California, I believe I understand what the older and younger generation are looking for in park design, and I think I could make a contribution to skatepark design in Japan. I would be very interested in meeting you to discuss what your ideas are for the future of such an exciting and sport grown sport in Japan. My major in college was Asian Studies with a minor in Japanese language, and I have spent over 10 years living in Japan. I would be great to share creative ideas with you. Sincerely, Robert Fillpot
Dear Mr. Robert Fillpot First of all, is it okay if I share your message and my reply (in English) on Facebook or SNS? “Please reply.” The street culture of Japan is very different from that of advanced skateboarding countries such as the United States, Australia, and European countries. On public roads and general parks in Japan, if only a small portion of non-users feel that skateboard users are a nuisance and complain to the government, they will always be excluded. We accept the reasons as follows. The unique culture of the Japanese has a positive side. It is guaranteed safe living in public spaces more than any other country in the world. However, on the other hand, if there is a person who causes trouble in public space, they will try to thoroughly eliminate all people who are seen as their companions. This is also the bad side of Japanese culture. This is because, compared to other countries, there are far fewer people who actually take action to aim for “coexistence” by adjusting their emotions through discussions, mutual understanding, and communication. Many Japanese people do not like to discuss their opinions, thoughts and feelings among themselves. To avoid getting yourself into trouble, you turn against those you perceive as problematic. I think it’s a bad aspect of Japanese culture to overthrow the stress that builds up in everyday life at the enemy. First of all, what Japan needs now is for the dominant age group in Japanese society to try to understand the new youth culture. At the same time, young people with a new culture should come closer to the ideas of the dominant age group in Japanese society and deepen mutual understanding. By doing so, the number of places where street sports are permitted (skate parks) in Japan will increase. Skatepark section designs and bowl shapes are less important to skateboarders and BMXers with street roots. This is because skate parks that are purposefully designed for street sports are based on the existing history in the designer’s brain, so new ideas, new skating methods, and new techniques are not developed. There are three choices: a place that is difficult, rudimentary and uninteresting, a place that is the most advanced and difficult place imaginable, or a place that is incomplete and uncool. We think It’s so uncool Place. That’s why skaters find a way out on the actual street. The actual street is not made with the use of street sports in mind. So interesting! I believe that this is the root of street sports. Today, I will go to Planet Park in Hachioji City. https://goo.gl/maps/ZCibsu8pTsLV7ACXA Also, if you have a chance, please let us know your opinions and thoughts. Thank you very much.
Dear Mr. Kawasaki, Yes. Of course you may share my message with whomever you wish. I completely understand all the cultural aspects of Japan you have mentioned. As a skater from the vertical revolution, with a background mostly in pools and pipes, I’d really like to develop a park that can have the best of both worlds for street and vert skaters. As well as young and older skaters. I would really like to see young skaters get back to the roots of skating vertical and nice parks with pools and pipes. I see so many talented youngsters spend hours trying to learn kick-flips, which is great! But some of the best roots of skating has been lost in the street culture, even at existing skateparks. An emphasis to hold more competitions in the vert arena in Japan might help the roots grow again, without losing the street skate culture. I have a lot of ideas that I would like to brainstorm with you. Thank you very much for your response. My home town is Stockton, CA. I just got back from vacation where a did some skating at a skatepark in Sebastopol, CA in the photo below. Thank you again, and I look forward to hearing from you when you have time.
