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.