The Greatest New Year's DipCon on the Planet

How To Celebrate Christmas In Japan
By Alicia Joy

theculturetrip.com — Christmas in Japan is a fun, festive time of year. Since there are few Christians in the country, none of the religious connotations associated with Christmas were brought over from the West, and it isn’t a national holiday. However, many of the things traditionally associated with Christmas – festive trees in the shopping malls, Christmas markets, and LED lights – make an appearance, as well as a few unique traditions that are purely Japanese.

Why Japan Is Obsessed With Kentucky Fried Chicken on Christmas
By K. Annabelle Smith

smithsonianmag.com — Christmas isn’t a national holiday in Japan – only one percent of the Japanese population is estimated to be Christian – yet a bucket of “Christmas Chicken” (the next best thing to turkey – a meat you can’t find anywhere in Japan) is the go-to meal on the big day. And it’s all thanks to the insanely successful “Kurisumasu ni wa kentakkii!” (Kentucky for Christmas!) marketing campaign in 1974.

(and that got me to thinking on New Year’s Eve eve, or perhaps it was a dream brought on by too much KFC, strawberry shortcake, Laurent Peerier and Dip — now there’s a perfect New Year’s DipCon Japanese-style) …

LET’S GO BACK TO JAPAN, PERRY, BABE RUTH, AND DUNNIGAN

Famous Japanese painting: “The Battle of Awazu” (Ukiyo-e)

The Diplomatic Courier: “The Japanese Model in Diplomacy”

(Japan is one of the few countries were female diplomats were as highly regarded as males. This interesting article has some background on Japanese diplomacy.)

Japanese depiction of a Black Ship

Searching in History: “Perry’s Gunboat Diplomacy in Japan”

(Just looking at the Google images of Perry’s visit to Japan reveals a lot about Japanese-American diplomacy.)

Baseball star Babe Ruth visits Japan

Japan Today: “The Sultan of Swat Babe Ruth visits Japan”

(Japan’s fascination with American games goes back a long way.)

BoardGameGeek: Jim Dunnigan, Boardgame Designer

James F. Dunnigan (born August 8, 1943 in Rockland County, New York) is a game designer, author, lecturer, and commentator who is one of the most important figures in the history of wargaming, founding SPI (Simulations Publications, Inc.) in 1969 after having his first wargame Jutland published by The Avalon Hill Game Co in 1967. Between 1966 and 1992, he designed over 100 wargames. He also wrote “The Complete Wargames Handbook” in 1980. He previously served in the military as a repair technician and has a degree in history from Columbia University.

One of the greatest losses in Diplomacy history took place at DIPCON XXII in San Diego when I very naively traded my carefully acquired set of the first 30 or so issues of S&T — that I had acquired by trading my Diplomacy ‘zine XENOGOGIC for them — with Jim Dunnigan while he was in Japan. At that time the ‘zine was actually printed in Japan and then shipped to the US for distribution.

What did I get in return? Ron Spitzer offered me two copies of the European version of Diplomacy for my never punched S&Ts. As first I hesitated, but Ron had a way with words and the ability to charm oil out of a snake and I eventually agreed. Not since the Russians sold Alaska has … Steve Cooley still cries when he remembers that story. I only mention this because it shows how far back the history of Diplomacy actually goes in Japan. Dunnigan was trading with a half-dozen or so of the postal Diplomacy hobby’s earliest publishers, probably looking for prospective S&T subbers.

BUT WHERE TO HOST OUR EVENT?

Dip venues are famous in Japan. Here are two from Tokyo, one from Kyoto and one from somewhere else. Can you guess?

Love hotels are part of Japan’s tradition, and the Queen Elizabeth is regarded as the most popular of them all. It’s not because of the great service, but more because of its wacky design. At 92 the Grand Old Dame would be proud!

Ground prices are sky high in Tokyo, so every square meter counts, even if they’re not square. Triangular buildings, where two streets meet at a sharp angle, can be found all over the city. This one, the Sunburst in Meguro, takes the cake by virtue of the giant red ball attached to it like an oversized tumor. (dh)

Given the abundance of temples and shrines in the country, it’s not entirely impossible that one might be rented for a peaceful conference, DipCon style. This golden temple in Kyoto, called Kinkakuji, is probably not the first place to look into. (dh)

Whenever you see a TV tower in Japan, you might be excused for thinking you just landed in Paris. Tokyo started the trend with Tokyo Tower, a red version of the Eiffel Tower, now eclipsed by the similarly shaped Sky Tree. Pictured here is the TV tower in Sapporo (Hokkaido). The observation deck would be an excellent place to plot the conquest of the world, wouldn't you agree? (dh)

AND WHO SHOULD THE HOST AND TOURNAMENT DIRECTORS BE?

Fandom One Piece Wiki: Monkey D. Luffy

Monkey D. Luffy, also known as “Straw Hat Luffy” and commonly as “Straw Hat”, is the main protagonist of the manga and anime, One Piece. He is the founder and captain of the increasingly infamous and powerful Straw Hat Pirates, as well as one of its top four fighters. His lifelong dream is to become the Pirate King by finding the legendary treasure left behind by the late Pirate King, Gol D. Roger. He believes that being Pirate King means having the most freedom in the world. After his invasion of Totto Land and actions against the Yonko Big Mom, he is currently considered by the global press to be the Fifth Emperor.

Fandom Dragon Ball Wiki: Frieza

Frieza (read: Freezer) was the emperor of Universe 7, who controlled his own imperial army and was feared for his ruthlessness and power. He is the descendant of Chilled, the second son of King Cold, the younger brother of Cooler, and the father of Kuriza. Frieza is the catalyst antagonist of the entire franchise, as it is his actions that led to Goku arriving on Earth. He has made several comebacks since his fight with Goku on Namek, including multiple invasions of Earth. Recently, he has been chosen to represent Universe 7 as the tenth member of Team Universe 7 for the Tournament of Power as a replacement for Good Buu. This makes him the most recurring villain of the Dragon Ball series. After the events of the Tournament of Power, he is revived and recovers his title as Emperor of Universe 7.

Japanese manga and anime series tend to be very long-lived with an ever expanding caste of characters, none of whom is actually allowed to die. You need a cheat sheet just to find out who's who, as so many of them appear even in a single episode. Unless you’re an otaku, that is. On the upside, for a tournament director knowing people by name would be a plus (as is sticking out of the masses). (dh)

AND WHAT OF OUR GUESTS?

Guests come costumed as their fav anime characters and must play their games in character.

Quiz: How many characters from which series can you recognize?
From top to bottom, right to left (manga-style): Pretty Cure (2 girls), Dragon Ball, Yo-kai Watch, Naruto, One Piece, Crayon Shin-chan, Sailor Moon, Astro Boy (dh)

AND FOR ENTERTAINMENT?

Let’s forget the K-pop eye candy kids and invite some real musicians from Belgium!

Am I supposed to be flattered now? There’s hardly any smurf merchandise to be found in Japan. They’re just not popular here. (dh)

AND WHAT DO DIPPERS LIKE BEST AFTER A DIP A GAME?

A good meal, of course. Meet our hostesses: Gabriella, Raphaella, Uriella and mama Ella.

Meet Gabriella Gershenson, who is based in New York City, where she is a free-lance food writer focusing on arts and entertainment, food and dining, in the Metro New York area and wherever her travels take her.

Here are a few tidbits from a recent story she did for the WSJ, used with her permission.

Gorge Yourself with KFC for the Fat and Salt

The Greatest New Year’s Menu on the Planet
By Gabriella Gershenson

wsj.com — WHEN I VISITED Japan for the first time a few years ago, it was mid-December. I saw ads all over Tokyo showing smiling faces gathered around a bucket of Kentucky Fried Chicken, with the slogan “Kurisumasu ni wa Kentakki” (“If It’s Christmas, It Must Be Kentucky”). “Is this a thing?” I asked a Japanese friend. She explained that on Christmas, people in Japan do indeed feast on fried chicken, along with Champagne and Christmas cake—usually a strawberry shortcake. “Then your boyfriend takes you to a love hotel,” she said. “It’s like Valentine’s Day in America, a couples holiday.”

Eat Strawberry Shortcake for the Sugar

Is Boston Cream Pie the World’s Most Delicious…Cake?
By Gabriella Gershenson

wsj.com — HAVING GROWN up in Massachusetts, I am no stranger to Boston cream pie. Indeed, it was a fixture of my childhood. In local supermarkets, there they’d be, stacks of Boston cream pies on a table in the bakery department, protected in see-through plastic containers and slapped with a sticker proclaiming a great deal ending in .99. True to its classic form, the dessert consisted of two layers of sponge cake, a thick center of yellow cream and a chocolate-frosted top.

A Japanese strawberry shortcake is light and spongy with whipped cream filling and frosting, which is much less sweet than other cake toppers. This treat is sold as ‘Christmas Cake’ in Japan (although it’s also very popular for birthdays) and is a great way to celebrate the season with family and friends.

AND TO WASH IT ALL DOWN?

What else but a bottle or two of world class champagne? Japan is one of the world’s largest premium Champagne markets and popular brands include: Moet & Chandon, Veuve Cliquot, and Laurent-Perrier!

Vinepair: The 10 Bestselling Champagne Brands In the World

5. Laurent-Perrier

This Chardonnay-dominated (50 percent) assemblage ages for a whopping 43 months on the lees, allowing for toasty, bready flavors to dominate on the palate, yet remains light, fresh, and balanced. The brand has seen a significant increase in sales over the last decade, with a 10 percent jump from 2015 to 2016 alone.

Rumor has it that Taittinger has a five year wait to get on their preferred customer’s waiting list; which is another ten years long.

NO VISIT TO JAPAN IS COMPLETE WITHOUT AN OMIYAGE

Lest we forget why we’re gathered together for this occasion, each guest receives a special host’s souvenir gift: Their very own monogrammed…

The Japanese Diplomacy Knife Dippers Swear By
By Gabriella Gershenson

foodandwine.com — IN JAPAN, a fifth-generation knifemaking family crafts chef-quality Diplomacy blades for Dippers. “I have never been able to cut a Dipper like this before,” says Ayako Watanabe, the former head Dip chef at Dips’s Urban Teriyaki Huis in Tokyo and current director of project management at Tartine Japan. Ayako is referring to the 5-millimeter slivers, equal parts air and crumb, which she demonstrates in a YouTube video using a Nagomi bread knife. The knife, depending on which hand holds it, has two functions: a stab and letting air out of a pompous Dipper.

AND TO HELP YOU CURE THE HANGOVER THE NEXT DAY…

UNTIL OUR NEXT NEW YEAR’S DIPCON WHEREVER IT HAPPENS TO BE —

幸せな一突きと最高級の指！

Shiawasena hitotsuki to saiko-kyu- no yubi!
Happy stabbing and the finest finger! (dh)

Larry Peery (peery@ix.netcom.com)

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