This year we remember the 400-year relation between Japan and Holland.
Deshima supports events that the embassy does not cover by sending out performers, artists, artisans, personnel and rental goods,
by its imports and distribution-channels.
We participated in the festivals
"Edo Sanpu" from Nagasaki to Tokyo during 11/2 months, "Kiso Sansen-park", "Sakura Tulip-festival", "Dagplein Osaka," Yokosuka-sail, Irago koen, "Takasaki saya-Mall's Holland Festa", Seibu Railways, Takashimaya, Keyo, Daimaru, Hankyu Department-stores, Art-Exhibitions in Osaka, Tokyo, Nagoya, Takasaki and other villages , towns and cities, Temporary Holland Villages in Nagoya and Tokyo, a ski-resort in Maibara; Hotels, the Niigata flower festival, Hitachi Kaihin Park, Osaka Tsurumi Kumin Festival, Osaka Hanabunkaen. The WORLD Folkloriada in Tokyo, Washoi festivals in Osaka
In Business-shows Deshima participates in the "Table & coordinate-fair" in Osaka,
the "Gift-Show", the International Business Show in Intex, the Medical-Show, and in the "EU's Gateway to Japan"
Coming Business show:
At this moment no other planning than our 23rd appearance in the "Gift Show" in Tokyo's Big Sight; the biggest Consumer-goods-show of Japan. This year we devote half our space to our hit-item:
Glass files from Czech Republic.

Work In Deshima (by Gina Kruit)

The year 2000 marks the 400'th anniversary of the arrival of the Dutch ship "De Liefde" on Japan's shores, and therewith Japan's link with the Netherlands. This anniversary has incited the organization of a host of events and festivals in both countries. . . . And you might be able to take part!
There is a friendly and intriguing Dutchman who also has a special link with Japan. Ever since Dirk Rebel came here, over 25 years ago, he continued to bring Dutch tradition to this country. With his Japanese company, Deshima, he provides Dutch goods, crafts, artisans, artists and people in national costume, at festivals , hotels and department stores all over Japan.
People who have worked with him are very enthusiastic.
Now, and especially with this years celebrations, he needs more staff.

There are different types of work: First of all there's department store work. Here he might sell cheese, waffles or Delfts blue pottery: "Each store has its own culture and rules on how to behave: what you say to the customer, where you stand, how you arrange your selling point. A foreigner working in this environment doesn't have to bow exactly as the rest of the sales-persons. But the best department-stores still have their daily exercises in teaching everybody how to behave towards the CLIENT, who is the King-or-Queen at this moment. These lessons ale very valuable, because it gives you the proper way of behavior, or if nothing else, the rules against which you can knowingly deviate after submerging into them.

The other type of work Deshima organizes is at festivals in the countryside, in villages and in parks. This is even more fun as it usually is outside. Besides having the stand with souvenirs, Rebel comes along with one of his musical organs (draai orgel), everybody is in Dutch national costume and there's sometimes a big windmill so people can pose for the ultimate Dutch photograph. Cooking-shows, restaurants and performances complete the show: these range anywhere from traditional Dutch crafts (oude ambachten) via dance, music to pure street performances.

It doesn't really matter if you speak Japanese or not; Rebel says it's ultimately how well you pitch your sales/performer- role that counts. He recalls how one tall young Dutchman impressed the girls as he explained with English, actions and mimics, that the little Christmas tree seeds he was selling would grow as tall as himself if they nurtured them as lovingly as his mother did for him.

"The point is," says Rebel, "this job is about meeting people, performing. It gives you the opportunity to take part in a group. Within a Japanese context. If you come to visit Japan you're usually only an outsider. By joining in my staff you'll be participating. You see a festival from the inside and work in a team. That's what's so stimulating. We always have a lot of fun together. You learn language and culture by living it."

There are many jobs to be taken! Therefore, Rebel and his company Deshima are asking you to join in the fun and hard work. He wants people from Holland, or other nationalities who look like the Japanese people's stereotype of the Dutch, who happen to be spending some time in Japan or for whatever reason in Japan, or people who want to visit, but need a purpose. The salary is generous, expenses, transport and board is paid for. Wives of men who are on a foreign assignments are often very interested, because it gives them a job, a possibility to exploit past know-how, and learn by new experiences!

If you are interested please don't hesitate to call Dirk Rebel at his office in Ikebukuro, Tokyo. Tel. +81 (0)3 3988 1740, Fax +81 (0) 3988 5248, Email: rebel@deshima.co.jp
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