Sayonara

Konbanwa students,

Well, this is my last night in Japan. I leave tomorrow to come back to the States enriched by the experiences that I have had in Japan, but eager to return to you with those experiences.

It hardly seems like three weeks since I left home to venture to this land I knew only through my many hours of research, but yet it seems like I have been here for a lifetime because some of my experiences have changed my perspective so much as to be life altering.

There are many things I will miss about Japan: the freshest of seafood, the cleanliness of the cities, the beauty of the land, the long history, but mostly I will miss the people of Japan and their gentleness, humbleness, humor, unassuming ways, and connection and love of Nature.

Sayonara is the Japanese word that is traditionally translated as "goodbye" in English, but the exact translation from Japanese to English is "if it must be so.

And so I say to Japan "Sayonara", and hope that one day I will return.

Host Family Oct. 26, afternoon to Oct. 27 afternoon

Konbanwa students,

I just had to mentioned my host family for part of my stay in Japan. After the tea ceremony we waited, like orphans, to be picked up by the host family with whom we were to spend the rest of Saturday and Sunday. All of us had a little trepidation (apprehension---fear!) anticipating the experience. Most people are afraid of the unknown, and we teachers were no exception. I'm on the shy side of the outgoing spectrum, so I was quite nervous.

But, the JFMF staff has had twelve years of pairing visiting American teachers with Japanese families who are willing to open their homes to foreign visitors. They have developed a sensibility about compatibility. BUT, we were foreign visitors who have been enemies in the past. However, the Japanese people do not live in the past. They may have learned from it, but they do not live there. Just as in the tea ceremony teaches, one must live in the present, and make the most of the opportunities presented in the moment.

My Japanese host family was comprised of 3 generations living in the same home. Otohsan, father Okahsan,mother Rumiko, Obahsan, grandmother (mother of the father), and Ojihsan, grandfather (father of the father), and musuko san. Although musuko san was in Tokyo, at a friend's wedding, the other members of the family were all there to welcome me. Although my Japanese is minimal, Rumiko is excellent at English and she, her husband, and I were able to carry on a deep concerning American politics and the impending election. I found that we had much in common. Rumiko and I were both Hillary Clinton supporters, and wished that she was on the ballot.

Through their interest and our conversation they touched my heart.

After discussions following a ohshi (delicious) dinner, I took a traditional Japanese bath (more on that later), and went to bed.

The next day we visited a Shinto Shrine because Rumiko learned that I was interested in learning more about Shinto, the original and prehistoric religion of Japan, and then the ocean side. Her husband had gone fishing at 3:00 am---I know many of you can relate to that!

We had lunch and then it was time to return to my group. Too short a visit, but one I hope will be reciprocated here in the U.S.

Here are pictures of Otohsan, and his mother Obahsan, and Rumiko. Ojihan was napping at the time, but the garden in the background is one he created, so I feel that he is there.

Chado...The way of tea

Ohayo gozaimasu students,

Today, we are going to learn a little about tea. Coming from the south we know about our kind of tea, sweet and iced, but macha is a green tea used only in the tea ceremony, and is very bitter tasting to many Westerners; I did not find it to be so.

A whole culture has evolved around the serving of this type of tea, and it is know as the tea ceremony. It is considered an art in Japan and sometimes it takes many years for the person who serves the tea to become a tea master.

As with many things, the Japanese took the green tea brought here, by a priest named Eisai, and used it in a way to suit their needs. At first it was used as a medicine, but in the 15TH century a Zen Master, a monk, refined the way tea was served into what came to be known as Chado--the way of tea. Cha means tea, and Do means way. Do, the way, is based on a Chinese philosophy (way of thinking about life), that believes that a person should live in the moment, not worrying about the past or future, but the present moment only.

The tea ceremony has prescibed movements which allow both the server-host, and participant to focus only on what is occurring during the ceremony. Because of its prescribed movements, and way participants should act, the samurai often used the tea ceremony as a way to step out of their way of war and find a moment of peace.

The tea ceremony can be served in a tea house, designed and only used for the tea ceremony, or it can be presented in a special room. Some elements are always common. There is always a beautiful garden to contemplate (think about); there are always tatami mats (notice them on the floor), there is a special alcove called a tokonoma, special a scroll with an appropriate verse and thought expressed, and a seasonal arrangement.

Tea ceremony is meant to be a spiritual experience cultivating certain ideas: "wa" peace and harmony, "kei" respect for the other person, "sei" purity and simplicity, and "jaku", calmness even in the face of difficult circumstances in one's life. Deep respect and sincere gratitude are two fundamental concepts that define the tea ceremony.

Our Minamisoma group was honored by some Japanese ladies who teach the "way of tea" to others who are interested in learning this ceremony. They were very happy and generous in wanting to do this for us. I felt very appreciative that we had this opportunity.

Here are some pictures of: the garden, the tokonoma, the ladies, and me trying to learn the correct manner to froth the tea.

Saturday, Oct 25, Cultural Museum

Konnichiwa students,

When I left you on Friday, it was because I was going to have some cultural experiences in Minamisoma.

The day began with our group learning out more about the Minamisoma Festival, I mentioned earlier, by watching a video at the Minamisoma Cultural Museum.

We then were introduced to some artistic cultural handicrafts. During the first activity we made magatama beads from a soft stone. Comma-shaped magatama beads were found in ancient burial mounds excavated in Minamisoma. However, people did not start wearing these beads until the Buddhist religion was established in Japan in the 7Th century. The wearing of these beads symbolized power; they also were used as a protective charm. In ancient cultures, the medicine man, or shaman wore a stone that conveyed power to their community. These comma-shaped ancient beads have not been found anywhere but Japan, so perhaps early Japanese shamans wore them.

The second artistic endeavor we completed was painting wooden postcards using water-colors in a delicate fashion. These postcards can only be sent through domestic mail in Japan, otherwise, I would have sent one to the school!

Thirdly, we were participants in the Tea ceremony, which deserves another entry to itself because I think it is a very important ceremony.

And, lastly, we met our host family for the evening and next day, and went with them to their homes. It was a FULL day.

Back to Tokyo and the Samurai

Konbanwa students,

Hai, once again we have much to relate since my last entry. Where shall I start? My group and I have left Minamisoma, but since Minamisoma has much to do with Japanese samurai history, let's return to that topic.

I also have a contest with this entry.
Abby K. won the Breakfast food identification, congratulations to her!

Samurai means "to serve", and that they did. They were people of noble rank who swore allegiance to a Daiymo, or lord. It was their duty to protect him and his land. In turn, they received land of their own as payment. In order to protect their lord, they chose to become master warriors, perfecting their skill in archery, swordsmanship, and horseback riding. They were the Japanese counterpart of the Medieval knight protecting and serving the feudal lord of the castle. Samurai were regarded as top in the hierarchy of Japan. When Japan entered a period of peace lasting 250 years, the samurai no longer maintained their warrior skills, but became bureaucrats (people who serve in the government), artists, or teachers. In 1868 Japan's feudal era ended and the samurai class was abolished.

Here is an examples of samurai dress and armor displayed at the Tokyo National Museum. You will need to study it to be able to compete in the contest.

To win the contest, you must name a movie character that wears a costume derived from samurai gear. Hint: the movie has nothing to do with Japanese or samurai culture other than influencing the costume designer.

Thermal power and tatami mats

Hai, Hai,

It is 12:32 am Minamisoma time, now Saturday Oct 25. Friday we visited a tatami mat workshop and a large thermal power plant which supplies 18% of Japan's energy. It rained hard today, and the ocean was very turbulent; we were able to visit it for a few minutes since the power plant is very close to the ocean. It has it's own port where ships deliver coal, and it needs the water to cool the water it is returning to the ocean after heating it up. The power plant sits on 378 acres of ground, 16 of which have been reclaimed from the ocean. It was very interesting,and I have much more to say, but I might have to save some of the information for a presentation when I get back to Kentucky. I still have to pack tonight. Tomorrow we meet our host family and will stay with them Saturday, and then we will leave Sunday afternoon for a Japanese style inn called a ryokan (pronounced row-can). We were told that there would be no Internet access for those 2 days.
So, don't think that I've forgotten you, I will blog on Monday when we get back to Tokyo.

Minamisoma Festival

Ohayo gozaimasu students,

Former samurai culture is a big part of Minamisoma's heritage. For over a 1000 years this area of Fukushima prefecture has been used as a military training ground for samurai warriors. When the samurai first started training here under the direction of a Daimyo, or feudal lord, they captured wild horses to use. The Festival which takes place every July is one of the most popular festivals in Japan, much like the Kentucky Derby. During the festival, men whose ancestors were samurai here during the feudal period participate in events that recall their past history. Perhaps you are familiar with the Civil War reenactment that takes place in Perryville, I think, every June; it is very similar to that activity. Participants must research the attire they will use, the weapons, the tack for their horses, and the manners the samurai used. Originally, the samurai would capture wild horses to use in the training exercises, then the samurai would release them to return to the wild. Today, the participants release wild horses that they have captured also, but the horses that they use in the festival activities are their own horses and go back home with them.
More about the samurai tomorrow.

A Tale of Two Breakfasts

Moshi, Moshi students,

This will be short. It is a contest. The first student to correctly match the desciption of a food item in the Japanese breakfast to the list on this entry will win a little gift from Japan when I return.

Look at the pictures closely. I know you can tell which is the the American breakfast even though there are some atypical items included. The other, of course, is Japanese. Here are the items (yes, I know 2 are covered---you will have to guess from the list as to what they could be):
1. miso soup
2. grilled fish
3. honeydew melon
4. pickled plum
5. green tea
6. taro pudding
7. mixed vegetable with mushrooms
8. salad
9. potato salad

Use the location to give me the answers. For example, the covered dish on the right has eggplant in it.

Now guess which one I ate.

gud-do rak! (good luck)

Haramachi Elementary

Hai, Hai,

Thank you for your comments! It is so nice to know y'all are reading my blog! I'm having a great time, but I am tired! And, I do miss you. I especially missed you today when we went to Haramachi Elementary School.

There are 347 students in this school in grades 1 through 6. They are called "Hibarikko" after the Japanese lark, called Hibariin Japanese, which is a very "lively" bird; the are hoping to become a lively child like the Hibari. School is from 8am to 4pm., 203 days a year. They are responsible for cleaning the school and serving their lunch, and cleaning the plates after lunch. They do not have a cafeteria, but eat in their classroom. They have 30 minutes of recess after lunch and two 10 minute breaks to run outside in the morning and in the afternoon. Here are some photos I think you will enjoy. We were asked not to put any up that would show their faces on the Internet, but I will show them to you when I get back to school.

They do not have a librarian, they know the term, but they don't have a clue as to what a school librarian, or library media specialist, which is the new correct title, should do. In fact, one of the Board of Education members asked me in yesterday's meeting how a library functions in a United States school. I think you will be surprised when you see the pictures of their library, and be glad that yours is different than it is. Books are checked out by students who are on the library committee; they do not have a computer for checkout, but write the book title and the student's name on a sheet of paper. The bigger of the two library rooms is about the size of two of our classrooms put together. The room with the short bookcases is the size of one of our regular classrooms. The only encyclopedia set they had on the shelves was copyrighted in 1980.

October 20, 2008: Meeting and Greeting

Konbanwa students!

It is 9:30 p.m. here and it is Oct.22nd. I've been having technical difficulties in accessing the Internet, but the technical support guy and our group translator were finally able to solve the problem. So I will try to do catch-up on the next few blogs.
Let's go back to Monday Oct20Th...
We left our hotel in Fukushima City headed for Fukushima University. It is the only University in Fukushima Prefecture! It would be as if I said that there was only the University of Louisville in Kentucky. I know that probably made some of the University of Kentucky fans angry, but think of what it would be like to have only one university in our state from which to choose for college.

We learned how they trained students wanting to become teachers. By the time you, as a student, would get to the university level you would have already decided that being a teacher was really, really, really what you wanted to do, because there is no changing of your college plan once you begin. So all Japanese teachers begin their teaching career in their early twenties with no opportunity to really make sure that is what they want to do. The Japanese believe that teachers are like "Holy Men"; that is the termed that they used, because they believe that being a teacher is a calling, just like being called to be a preacher. That is the reason that teachers receive a lot of respect in Japanese society.

After leaving the University, we traveled to Minamisoma, and a welcoming introduction by the mayor, school superintendent and Board of Education members

Fukushima City is 180 miles north of Tokyo, and Minamisoma is a little bit closer than that, because it is directly above Tokyo, and about a 2 hr. walk to the Pacific Ocean. It has a temperate climate, and all of Fukushima is known as Japan's fruit paradise for the quality of fruit that is produced here. They are known for the especially for passion fruit, tomatoes, apples, and persimmons.

After our meeting with the major we went on a tour of the city. It is also known all over Japan for its Fire festival held in July. More about that later.
Pictures: Departing Fukushima University with the President and English teacher(who teaches the English language) saying good-bye, an official and the Welcoming sign, with the mayor,and the superintendent of schools behind and next to Mareiko, our translator/interpreter. Our group picture was taken with the officials and we will be in both daily newspapers tomorrow.

Where am I?

Ohayo gozaimasu,

Yesterday afternoon we took the Shinakansen to Fukushima Prefecture. The Shinakansen is translated into English as "bullet train. The train took off exactly on time and arrived exactly on time 1.5 hrs. later. Most Japanese people eat a meal on the train. They can buy one before they depart, bring it from home, or buy on the train. We were provided with a box lunch; the only thing Japanese was the little thimble like container filled with fruit-flavored gelatin. The other things were Japanese versions of what they think Americans eat. And, unlike the Japanese meals I've already had, it didn't taste too good. I think my first clue to this was that I noticed we were given a fork instead of chopsticks; we were given a little wet towel, but it was not warm, of course. Fukushima is north of Tokyo Metropolitan Prefecture, but not nearly as large; it is almost the same size as Kentucky---2,000,000,000 people. We arrived in Fukushima city, and were taken to the Prefectural Art Museum. They have some Japanese artists represented, but also Andrew Wyeth, as an American artist (we could not see his works because they were on a traveling exhibition), and some famous French artists like Monet and Chagall! I was pretty impressed since these artist's works cost millions of dollars to buy.

When we left the museum many people oohed and aahed over the scenery, saying how beautiful it is, and that they had never seen anything like it. I just said, "Oh it is beautiful; but it looks just like Home.

Here are some bullet trains (the seats swivel to face the other direction when the train is making the return trip), my box lunch( called bento boxes in Japan), Fukushima Prefectural Art Museum with the hills that remind me of my old Kentucky home.

Nishikigoi

Hai, Hai, readers,

Hai is the Japanese word "yes" and it is used often to let the other person know that you know they are there...a kind of recognition of them being with you and you being attentive to them.

I must say another word called Koi in the Hotel's garden pond. It seems as those they were eaten by Japanese rice farmers along time ago. We are in Japan, after all, and fish is abundant. But, more about that is future entries...we are not finished with the topic of "fish".

Koi is the word for carp, and they were kept for 2,500 years ago first by the Chinese. They were first kept in ponds for the viewing pleasure of Chinese nobility. You know carp as gold fish. They began exhibiting patches of color while being kept in China, but it wasn't until they came to Japan that they were bred for beauty. The Japanese are given credit for creating Nishikigoi which in translation means: Living Jewels.

A homophone of the word Koi means love, affection; koi are therefore symbols of love and friendship in Japan, and they are no longer eaten because of this status.

They have fascinated me every time I have visited the garden. Isn't the yellow one unique? I've never seen one that color before.

Kimono

Moshi, Moshi readers,

I have been interested in materials called textiles, and embroidery, for a long time now, so I was really hoping that I would see exquisite material and embroidery on the Japanese-style of clothing called kimono. I learned from several people on the plane that wearing kimono is not very common any more among the youth of Japan.

Kimono is actually the Japanese word for clothing, but now it has become a word that is used to describe traditional Japanese clothing. Kimonos came into begin during the Heian period (794-1192). It was during this period that Japanese clothing evolved from 2 separate pieces into one. Tailors devised a straight-line method of cutting material which took less time to fit and sew since they did not have to concern themselves with the shape of the wearer's body. Kimonos became popular because they were easy to fold, and were comfortable. In winter, they could be layered to keep the wearer warmer(remember, central heating is a new development in heating dwellings), and in summer they were made of material like linen, which was "breathable" and kept the wearer cool.

People began wearing seasonal colors, or colors which showed their political class, and the Japanese began paying attention to how different colors looked together. They developed a sensitivity to color which has been translated today into a heightened awareness of fashion sense and style.

During the Meiji period (1868-19120), The Emperor wanted everyone to dress in the Western style at his court, so this became the fashion. The Japanese now dress in modern Western style clothing most of the time, except for special days like weddings, funerals, or celebrations. However, I was fortunate enough to meet some women wearing kimonos. One you've already seen in the pictures from the subway.
One of the pictures is of kimonos in a shop window; they are very expensive. The white kimono has flying cranes as its embroidered motif; the blue is of chrysanthemums, an autumn flower. The other pieces of fancy material are for the sashes called obi, which shape the kimono to the body. Notice the purses. One is decorated in autumn leaves, carrying out the seasonal theme. The other pictures were taken of historical kimonos found at the Tokyo National Museum in Ueno. The last picture is of modern women wearing kimono.

Riding the rails

Konbanwa!

It is 7:30 p.m. Tokyo time, and I just got back from the Imperial Palace, Ueno, and Asakusa. I did, of necessity, spend part of the day riding the rails. There is so much to tell about not only today, but also other topics that I have wanted to cover, but haven't seemed a priority although they are unique to Japanese culture. So, instead of having a sequence here, I'm just going to write about what pops into my mind first.

There is nothing, I believe, that gets a traveler more in touch with a city than traveling to various parts of it throughout a day, or many days, by the subway. One just emerges from under the street and sees a new and different part of it. So, for all of my readers who need more visuals, here are more subway photos. These were taken early in the day for Tokyo (around 9:00 a.m.); this is definitely a late night city.

Peaceful Garden

Ohayo gozaimasu,

I'm getting ready to leave for the Imperial Palace. of course, I won't be able to go inside since the Imperial family still lives there, but I can take my very own photo of Edo castle.

I am a gardener, so I have been visiting the Japanese garden that is connected to my hotel. I has been very calming to go there after all the sessions I have attended.
You can see at least one thing that reminds me of home in one of these pictures.

Can you guess which one?

And since we are in Japan, there are more fish. These are called koi, and are NOT eaten!

In this garden I also came upon a Christian Chapel, while sitting inside I thought of my favorite hymn---

In the Garden

Hibakusha

Konnichiwa students,

Today, the first session I attended was entitled "Peace Education". One part of the program was given by a teacher from Hiroshima. The second half of the program was the retelling of the personal experience of one person, Matsushima san, who survived the Atomic bombing of Hiroshima on August 6, 1945.

The dropping of the A-bomb on Hiroshima was accomplished by the United States, although all countries were working towards producing such a bomb. What they did not know at the time was that it would turn out to be a weapon so frightening that those who know of the devastating results would be compelled to convince world powers never to use it again.

The U.S. dropped the A- bomb thinking that it would put an end to World War II by crippling Japan's ability to continue fighting. The bombing did accomplish this end.

Matsushima san said that he was lucky because he was it in classroom about 2 miles away from the epicenter, and on the opposite side of his middle school. When the bomb hit the ground, it totally annihilated everything in a mile radius of the denotation mark. Those who weren't killed immediately, either died shortly after, or years later due to radiation poisoning. He said that in a instant his life changed forever. He was blinding felt intense heat, and was thrown across the room by the force of the blast. He had cuts all over his body from the shards of glass from the windows penetrating his skin and was bleeding everywhere, but he was alive.
He saw people evacuating the city with ashen gray skin sometimes. without hair, or their hair standing straight up. They walked with their arms stretched straight out from the intense pain. They looked like ghosts, he said. He made it out of the city to further inland where his mother was living. He was sick for 10 days with diarrhea, but he was alive.

However, those who did survive were called Hibakusha, and faced discrimination because they survived. People were afraid that they would be contaminated with radiation poisoning. People didn't want their children to marry survivors because they thought their grandchildren would suffer genetic defects. Those Hiroshima children who had not been born yet came into the world mentally retarded, and people were afraid of associating with others who might experience terrible after effects.
From this experience, Matsushima san has had the desire to speak for peace, and the banning of using the A-boom again. He speaks to promote peace education. Something I think we should all do.

Here we are holding an origami peace crain.

Shimbuya

Konbanwa students,

I'm sorry that I didn't have an entry for last night. I was having technical difficulties, and by the time my problem was corrected, I was too tired to keep my eyes open. I did only have 3 hours of sleep before I went to the fish market. I actually wrote the entry about the fish market when I returned at 6:00 a.m., so I was too exhausted to do another after 10:00 p.m. Sometimes you will see a couple of entries dated the same date. Sometimes I will write two or three at one time if I have a lot to write and time allows it. Also, since Google is the creator and host of Blogger my blogspot loads through Google at a specific time of day, California time.

I am not at a loss for anything to write about, there is plenty and all of it has been either interesting, a different experience, an adventure, or all three. Lack of time is sit down at the computer has been a problem for me...But let's begin now.

I just returned from an area of Tokyo known as Shimbuya. The Shimbuya area is known as a hang-out for the youth culture, and has the busiest intersection in the world. Besides the the stores that are located there, it is also the end of the Ginza Metro Line, and that is one of the reasons it is so busy. People are exiting the Metro at all times of day, every day. I know that if you have never been to a big city like New York, Chicago, Washington D.C., London, Paris, or Tokyo you don't know what I'm talking about. These cities all have commuter trains underground. Some are called by terms like subway, others use the word metro, short for metropolitan, or city area.

Metros are safe in terms of the incident of accidents, avoid traffic interference, go fast, are a cheap way to travel, are better for the environment, and save time. I like them, so tonight I decided I would learn how to travel the Tokyo Metro. For 160 yen, which is about $1.56 in U.S. currency I traveled one way across half of Tokyo in about 10-15 minutes. I returned the same way for the same price.

Here are pictures of busiest intersection in the world, a map of the four or the nine different metro lines posted for this metro station with the stations that it stops at on each line (the other lines are not posted on this list because you would have to transfer from one of these lines and get on another to go to a different area of the city---you would use the same ticket because they are not collected until you exit the station), and the Neon lights that illuminated my first Friday night in Japan.

I'm inviting comments. Where are they, please?

October 16, 4:30 a.m. Tokyo time

Ohayo gozaimasu students,

Are you thinking that I can not sleep? That is not the case. I left the hotel early this morning to visit the Tokyo fish market. Everyone who has visited said that it was worth getting up early to have this experience.

The market is very, very large, and very, very busy. There is much noise from the traffic immediately outside and inside the building, but it is amazingly quiet amongst the workers. The operations were in full swing when I arrived, so these workers must have started work at 3 in the morning. Perhaps it is too early to talk at during this part of the day.

Not only does this market have fish, it almost has everything else you can find it the sea.
When we looked at Japan's geography in class, and I asked what you thought the Japan used as their main source of protein, some of you knew that it was fish. But besides the fish, there was squid, octopus, whelk, crab, clam, oyster, eel, and sea cucumbers. However there, was no Sponge Bob and Patrick the starfish.

The first picture shows a some workers, the next shows fish eggs, and the last picture is of whelk---you can clearly see one coming out of its shell. Click to enlarge.

Senso-ji Temple

Moshi, Moshi students,

Today we went sightseeing and saw much of Tokyo, but not all of Tokyo! Together with the rest of the Metropolitan Prefecture, there are 32 million people living in a rather small area. I learned from our guide, Iishii san, that Tok means east and yo means capital. Now I know why Edo was changed to Tokyo once the Emperor moved here. He still lives here, because where ever the Emperor is living is the capital. When Tokyo was still called Edo, the Emperor lived in Kyoto, which is west of Tokyo. You will have to look at your map again!

One of the places I enjoyed today was our visit to the Senso-ji Temple. It is a Buddhist Temple, and today was the first day of a celebration commemorating its restoration. Most people in Japan are practicing Buddhists. Buddhism came to China from India in the 5TH century, but Japan was converted to Buddhism when monks from China came here as missionaries in the 6Th century. Buddhists follow the teachings of Buddha, the Enlightened One, he is called. Buddhists are not too concerned with the material world of day to day living beacuse they view material things as being temporary compared to the real life of the soul.In these pictures you will see the T a prayer pole. It stands about 500 feet in front of the temple. The people hold one of the ribbons, or all of the ribbons, while praying. The colored ribbons are connected to white ribbons overhead leading all the way into the temple where they are fastened to the hands of the statue representing the Kannon Buddha. The other picture is only a part of Tokyo's office buildings.