I learnt a lot with the funny, direct woman from my speech. I knew I would like somebody like her. I immediately took her up on her offer to meet with me again and we met this weekend.
She showed me her house – I saw her allotment. I exclaimed how common I noticed that it was for many Japanese people to have a small allotment. How often I have been offered gifts of homegrown mandarins, or apples (or gone fruit picking myself - 3 times!).
So many families have these vegetable gardens. So often I see the orange trees in people`s gardens when I travel past houses in a car. A common sight also at this time of year, is the Kaki (persimmon) strips hanging from the houses, drying (so that they lose their sourness).
She explained to me, how the cultivating way is something deep in the Japanese consciousness – back from prehistoric times when the Japanese were all rice farmers. She talked of the difference between westerners being hunters and the Asians being a people with a greater emphasis on cultivation. How true this is I do not know. But, it does make sense to me.
The difference is clear between England and Japan certainly. Objectively there is a lot of locally produced food here in Ibaraki, and I`m sure, all over the kens of Japan.
I received gifts of apples from Yuko-sensei`s husbands family farm up in the north. My host family grow many vegetables, and Ottosan likes to go fishing for eating.
When we go on trips by road the “service stations” are farmers markets basically. There is so much local production that happens.
It doesn`t surprise me anymore to see the odd rice field in the middle of an urban settlement … but it still always makes me laugh.
Furu Koshi grows rice. Lots of older people grow rice when they have retired from their office jobs. It is not an unusual occurrence for a regular person with a office job to have a little allotment/ farm at home as well. Cultivation, on a smallscale, is done by the average person here.
In England, farmers are farmers – whether largescale operations or smaller organic operations these people live and work on their fields/ warehouses – and they are very separate from the rest of the population of the country who are not farmers, and who live in the villages/ suburbs/ towns/ cities. It is a huge difference that here in Japan, cultivating is just much more a part of the life of the general population who lives in a town (even a big town, - like Hitachi) (admittedly not the huge metropolises like Tokyo though). So many people here with ordinary town jobs also have a little farming lifestyle aswell.
I think that it is a much better way to be. It means the eating local produce is much more a natural thing here. There isn`t a big national cry to “eat local!” because it happens. People are much more connected to the growth of their food (well, vegetables and rice at least) because many people do it! It is an important part of the Japanese culture that wasn`t immediately obvious to me at first, but something that I have gradually realized, over time here.
Wednesday, 17 December 2008
The International Japanese
I have been in Japan for 4 1/2 months now. I have a good idea how most Japanese people are, how they interact etc. The problem I have, is with working out people who ARE more familiar with other cultures. I find it difficult to know how to behave, what I can and cannot talk about with them sometimes. Like Kawakami-sensei for instance. He has lived in Canada for 1 year and is therefore very familiar with western culture. There are many things he does differently from other Japanese people as a result. (In his classes, for example, his students don`t stand up and bow to him). I find him so hard to work out sometimes! And sometimes things are a bit funny (amusing) between us because I don`t really know what to expect!
Those people who are more westernized I do very much enjoy hanging out with though. I can be honest, and explain things to them in a very detailed way. (Although, I am also very honest with most people generally, because of my character).
But with the Japanese-Japanese, I can only be honest when the honesty is something that that person can relate to – that is either a cultural universal, or, something to do with Japan.
With the western-familiar Japanese, I can explain many other feelings that a Japanese person wouldn`t really understand if they hadn`t been outside of Japan – because they probably just can`t comprehend how different it is! (also, there is the significant factor that the Japanese-Japanese tend to have less good English than the internationalised Japanese, so it`s more difficult to explain from that point of view aswell).
I do enjoy being friends with both types of Japanese person though, definitely. As sometimes, the western Japanese can be a bit denigrative of certain aspects of Japanese culture (eg – Midorikawa-senssi: “I hate tea ceremony – it tastes so bitter!”. And sometimes I love it the Japanese-Japanese love to tell me about Japan, and I love to tell them what good aspects of Japan are new for me.
But, I do particularly enjoy being with the internationalized Japanese primarily, simply because they can relate to this life-changing experience I am having, living in a completely different culture.
Some international-Japanese people are so knowledgeable about western ways and western culture (due to a strong interest) that when talking to a western person, they want to try and adapt to the western way so much (to make the westerner feel comfortable I guess?!), that they almost have unrecognizable behavior for a Japanese person!
An example is the woman who sat in the front row of my speech. She was obviously very keen, and confident. She was so direct in her conversation – suggesting we should meet again, very quickly. So, I was surprised. But then I recovered myself quickly, and returned to her, equally direct conversation: “how about this weekend?” I think even she was surprised about the directness and immediacy of that! (That kind of directness is unusual for me – I wouldn`t be quite like that in England, but in Japan, in this country where you only meet people fleetingly, you have to take action to make friends. You have to be like this to make your connections here).
Anyway, the weekend was decided, and the characteristically UN-Japanese directness from her continued: “Lets meet, 12 o`clock, Mito station, south exit. OK?”. No voicing of the word “maybe” to be heard anywhere!! The lack of the word maybe in ANY conversation with a Japanese person is absolutely UNHEARD of usually.
She was so un-Japanese, in so many ways that I was laughing. But then, at the Kenya talk we attended, with all the other Japanese people in the room, I did notice her bowing profusely (as I do these days) as she met/ left people. I was reassured. She was in fact Japanese, … and not some kind of imposter!
Those people who are more westernized I do very much enjoy hanging out with though. I can be honest, and explain things to them in a very detailed way. (Although, I am also very honest with most people generally, because of my character).
But with the Japanese-Japanese, I can only be honest when the honesty is something that that person can relate to – that is either a cultural universal, or, something to do with Japan.
With the western-familiar Japanese, I can explain many other feelings that a Japanese person wouldn`t really understand if they hadn`t been outside of Japan – because they probably just can`t comprehend how different it is! (also, there is the significant factor that the Japanese-Japanese tend to have less good English than the internationalised Japanese, so it`s more difficult to explain from that point of view aswell).
I do enjoy being friends with both types of Japanese person though, definitely. As sometimes, the western Japanese can be a bit denigrative of certain aspects of Japanese culture (eg – Midorikawa-senssi: “I hate tea ceremony – it tastes so bitter!”. And sometimes I love it the Japanese-Japanese love to tell me about Japan, and I love to tell them what good aspects of Japan are new for me.
But, I do particularly enjoy being with the internationalized Japanese primarily, simply because they can relate to this life-changing experience I am having, living in a completely different culture.
Some international-Japanese people are so knowledgeable about western ways and western culture (due to a strong interest) that when talking to a western person, they want to try and adapt to the western way so much (to make the westerner feel comfortable I guess?!), that they almost have unrecognizable behavior for a Japanese person!
An example is the woman who sat in the front row of my speech. She was obviously very keen, and confident. She was so direct in her conversation – suggesting we should meet again, very quickly. So, I was surprised. But then I recovered myself quickly, and returned to her, equally direct conversation: “how about this weekend?” I think even she was surprised about the directness and immediacy of that! (That kind of directness is unusual for me – I wouldn`t be quite like that in England, but in Japan, in this country where you only meet people fleetingly, you have to take action to make friends. You have to be like this to make your connections here).
Anyway, the weekend was decided, and the characteristically UN-Japanese directness from her continued: “Lets meet, 12 o`clock, Mito station, south exit. OK?”. No voicing of the word “maybe” to be heard anywhere!! The lack of the word maybe in ANY conversation with a Japanese person is absolutely UNHEARD of usually.
She was so un-Japanese, in so many ways that I was laughing. But then, at the Kenya talk we attended, with all the other Japanese people in the room, I did notice her bowing profusely (as I do these days) as she met/ left people. I was reassured. She was in fact Japanese, … and not some kind of imposter!
Other Asia
It is always surprising, and unnerving to meet other Asian (non-Japanese) people here in Japan. I feel like this because the cultural difference really is significant. They don`t behave in the Japanese way that I am used to. It is as if I am culturally shocked when I meet them. In some cases I also feel really awkward when I see them interacting with Japanese people.
I think that many Japanese people (particularly those who don`t often mix with people from other cultures and who arn`t familiar with how other cultures are) must find dealing with people who LOOK so similar to them – but who behave and interact so differently must be very confusing for them.
I often think that Japanese people must find it easier to deal with western foreigners in a way. Because of the media in which western culture is the most dominant exported external culture, because of English lessons in schools, Japanese people are much more familiar with western culture compared to different asian cultures. They have their sterotypes. In many ways broadly true (if ignorant of the subtler aspects and differences between western cultures). But, they know to expect we are more direct, for example.
But to meet other Asians who behave in different ways must be strange. I`ll take the example of the Malaysian teacher who came with his student on the exchange visit. I was at the nabe party with him. And I found it SO STRANGE to be talking so frankly and directly with someone, across the table. We were talking about education, and the excessively hard-working nature of the Japanese – so not exactly a totally positive conversation about Japan. This man appeared not to have any reserve or embarrassment given the situation we were in – a formal party in the vice-principal`s house. He just kept on talking to me!
He was just so direct, and open. I was so unused to this coming from an Asian person that I was really shocked! (although perhaps Malaysia is a special case, being an EXTREMELY multicultural country itself).
The behavior of the younger Malaysian student also surprised me when upon noticing the wall hanging of Chinese characters (the wall hanging in the corner of the special tatami room that all Japanese homes seem to contain, where there is an alcove and several beautiful Japanese/ Chinese style objects and artworks are on display – sort of in the manner of a small shrine I suppose). Anyway, on recognizing the characters in the wall hanging as a song she knew, she immediately jumped up from the floor and volunteered herself to sing. The self-volunteering and the immediacy of the whole thing was just something I was wholly unused to.
The presence of this almost dominant Malaysian character did seem to make the Japanese people around the table shrink back a little. Perhaps this was due to the language being English so naturally they were less confident in their speaking ability. But, it was noticeable that they weren`t so involved then, and I felt a bit uncomfortable. Perhaps, it was because of the directness of us. Japanese people are definitely used to more indirect conversation – and certainly in formal parties like this one. Of course, it`s completely wrong to say all Japanese are shy and indirect all the time, because they can be loud and brash definitely (particularly when drunk!) but, I think maybe they just couldn`t relax in this unusual situation for them, where there was an equal number of foreigners and Japanese people.
The awkwardness of cross-cultural interaction does depend hugely on the personalities of the host and visitor involved. I like to think that I am quite sensitive culturally, and I can pick up on things (though, saying that, I`m sure I miss out on a huge amount of non-verbal (well … and verbal!) messages from Japanese interactions). But I try to be as sensitive and forth-guessing (??) as I can. I felt the awkwardness that the Malaysian person made the Japanese sometimes, with his directness.
But when people from foreign cultures are more familiar with the Japanese and how they are, how they interact, what they do and don`t like, then cross asian cultural interaction is naturally more easy.
When the Laotians came to cook … (sounds like the start of a story!) But when the Laotians came to cook, was a great day. For one, they have fantastic food. They came to run a cooking class for students at Tokai High School. It was as an English lesson, as the Laotians speak English and not Japanese.
It was interesting for me to meet them aswell. It was at a time that I was frustrated with Japan, and I found it SO refreshing to talk to people who were more direct, and where there was not so much unnecessary sweetness 8as does tend to occur with Japanese women). I found them to be relaxed and chilled, jokey – not something you always get when first meeting Japanese people in a work setting. I was so happy to be with them (and eat their spicy, exciting, food) for an hour that day.
Being in company with the Laotians and the Japanese together was easier. And it`s because these people have been living in Japan for a year or so now. They`ve been studying here. They`re familiar with how Japanese people behave, so they can adjust their behavior accordingly. And that`s what I do, now that I`ve been here for 4 1/2 months. And that`s how I can get on with many different people here.
I don`t want to give the impression that I encounter non-Japanese people all the time, because that is CERTAINLY not the case. A more accurate explanation of this long post, is that these are all the instances, described in detail, of my meetings with non-Japanese Asians during my whole time here!
Japanese peculiarities, I have become accustomed to now, and although I am occasionally shocked when certain international Japanese people do something/ interact in some way, that is not characteristically Japanese, this shock is NOTHING compared to dealing with other non-western people in Japan, which is a whole, other preverbial kettle of fish.
Dealing with “my particular brand of Asian”, as a fellow JET (of Indian descent) put it, is a big chunk of hilarity for me. I just don`t know what to do with myself! My encounter with a person from south Asia was in an all-you-can-eat Indian restaurant – Spicy Tandoori. On entering a restaurant in Japan you always, ALWAYS bow to the person who greets you. But I just didn`t know what to do with myself with these Indians!! I did some kind of strange sideways sway, and shuffled off quickly.
But, I really didn`t know what to do, and I still don`t. Bowing is such a Japanese thing (other East Asians bow in a different way). I`d never do it to a fellow westerner, but an Indian? Do they bow?? I was wondering, later on, if whether they spoke Japanese would come into the question. But even if they did, I don`t think that would help me know what to do.
There is so much confusion for me surrounding other Asia in Japan.
I think that many Japanese people (particularly those who don`t often mix with people from other cultures and who arn`t familiar with how other cultures are) must find dealing with people who LOOK so similar to them – but who behave and interact so differently must be very confusing for them.
I often think that Japanese people must find it easier to deal with western foreigners in a way. Because of the media in which western culture is the most dominant exported external culture, because of English lessons in schools, Japanese people are much more familiar with western culture compared to different asian cultures. They have their sterotypes. In many ways broadly true (if ignorant of the subtler aspects and differences between western cultures). But, they know to expect we are more direct, for example.
But to meet other Asians who behave in different ways must be strange. I`ll take the example of the Malaysian teacher who came with his student on the exchange visit. I was at the nabe party with him. And I found it SO STRANGE to be talking so frankly and directly with someone, across the table. We were talking about education, and the excessively hard-working nature of the Japanese – so not exactly a totally positive conversation about Japan. This man appeared not to have any reserve or embarrassment given the situation we were in – a formal party in the vice-principal`s house. He just kept on talking to me!
He was just so direct, and open. I was so unused to this coming from an Asian person that I was really shocked! (although perhaps Malaysia is a special case, being an EXTREMELY multicultural country itself).
The behavior of the younger Malaysian student also surprised me when upon noticing the wall hanging of Chinese characters (the wall hanging in the corner of the special tatami room that all Japanese homes seem to contain, where there is an alcove and several beautiful Japanese/ Chinese style objects and artworks are on display – sort of in the manner of a small shrine I suppose). Anyway, on recognizing the characters in the wall hanging as a song she knew, she immediately jumped up from the floor and volunteered herself to sing. The self-volunteering and the immediacy of the whole thing was just something I was wholly unused to.
The presence of this almost dominant Malaysian character did seem to make the Japanese people around the table shrink back a little. Perhaps this was due to the language being English so naturally they were less confident in their speaking ability. But, it was noticeable that they weren`t so involved then, and I felt a bit uncomfortable. Perhaps, it was because of the directness of us. Japanese people are definitely used to more indirect conversation – and certainly in formal parties like this one. Of course, it`s completely wrong to say all Japanese are shy and indirect all the time, because they can be loud and brash definitely (particularly when drunk!) but, I think maybe they just couldn`t relax in this unusual situation for them, where there was an equal number of foreigners and Japanese people.
The awkwardness of cross-cultural interaction does depend hugely on the personalities of the host and visitor involved. I like to think that I am quite sensitive culturally, and I can pick up on things (though, saying that, I`m sure I miss out on a huge amount of non-verbal (well … and verbal!) messages from Japanese interactions). But I try to be as sensitive and forth-guessing (??) as I can. I felt the awkwardness that the Malaysian person made the Japanese sometimes, with his directness.
But when people from foreign cultures are more familiar with the Japanese and how they are, how they interact, what they do and don`t like, then cross asian cultural interaction is naturally more easy.
When the Laotians came to cook … (sounds like the start of a story!) But when the Laotians came to cook, was a great day. For one, they have fantastic food. They came to run a cooking class for students at Tokai High School. It was as an English lesson, as the Laotians speak English and not Japanese.
It was interesting for me to meet them aswell. It was at a time that I was frustrated with Japan, and I found it SO refreshing to talk to people who were more direct, and where there was not so much unnecessary sweetness 8as does tend to occur with Japanese women). I found them to be relaxed and chilled, jokey – not something you always get when first meeting Japanese people in a work setting. I was so happy to be with them (and eat their spicy, exciting, food) for an hour that day.
Being in company with the Laotians and the Japanese together was easier. And it`s because these people have been living in Japan for a year or so now. They`ve been studying here. They`re familiar with how Japanese people behave, so they can adjust their behavior accordingly. And that`s what I do, now that I`ve been here for 4 1/2 months. And that`s how I can get on with many different people here.
I don`t want to give the impression that I encounter non-Japanese people all the time, because that is CERTAINLY not the case. A more accurate explanation of this long post, is that these are all the instances, described in detail, of my meetings with non-Japanese Asians during my whole time here!
Japanese peculiarities, I have become accustomed to now, and although I am occasionally shocked when certain international Japanese people do something/ interact in some way, that is not characteristically Japanese, this shock is NOTHING compared to dealing with other non-western people in Japan, which is a whole, other preverbial kettle of fish.
Dealing with “my particular brand of Asian”, as a fellow JET (of Indian descent) put it, is a big chunk of hilarity for me. I just don`t know what to do with myself! My encounter with a person from south Asia was in an all-you-can-eat Indian restaurant – Spicy Tandoori. On entering a restaurant in Japan you always, ALWAYS bow to the person who greets you. But I just didn`t know what to do with myself with these Indians!! I did some kind of strange sideways sway, and shuffled off quickly.
But, I really didn`t know what to do, and I still don`t. Bowing is such a Japanese thing (other East Asians bow in a different way). I`d never do it to a fellow westerner, but an Indian? Do they bow?? I was wondering, later on, if whether they spoke Japanese would come into the question. But even if they did, I don`t think that would help me know what to do.
There is so much confusion for me surrounding other Asia in Japan.
Monday, 8 December 2008
Kawai Culture
Culture is my interest. Talking about my culture, finding out about their culture, and the psychology of it too – that`s all fascinating to me.
I don`t speak Japanese and by result of this fact, the people I meet and make friends with are the ones that speak English. Usually these are the peoplewho are interested in cultures too – that`s why they want to learn. And obviously the people who like to come to events like the world culture seminar, certainly are those who are interested to learn about new cultures, who want to share cultures.
As a significant side point to note, the vast majority of this group of people that I have just been classifying, are middle-aged to old women.
I tend to meet a lot of these women. They tend to befriend me. I am interested in them because I love to find out more about the Japanese culture. (Though it does get a little out of control at times – the bombardment of questions during teatime after my speech was quite overwhelming, as one example).
I have been reliably informed that I am very attractive to women like this. They see me as the polite English girl. Absolutely typical of their image of my culture – and that is why they love to meet me, and befriend me. I don`t mind it. I like to meet women who are interested, like me, in sharing information about cultural differences. Though sometimes it does get a little out of control with multiple clashing invitations of lunch dates with old women!
But, it is just brilliant in many other ways, because these women like to share their culture just as I do … and I love to learn about their culture. Sometimes they tell me explicit new things (like what Japanese people do for New Year – decorate their front gate, and make a special Mochi rice cake, and what they eat for breakfast – rice and natto). But, other times they tell me nothing new. We talk about things that I have already observed, but they explain why those things are like that/ done like that. Sometimes, they mention things that I have observed unconsciously but never really thought about as something different or significant in itself.
One conversation, it was as if she had invented a new phrase – but it fitted so perfectly to what I had been unconsciously noticing, but without properly realizing: Kawai Culture. I hadn`t heard it before … but it is so true.
Kawai translates into English as “cute”. Girls and women in Japan, as a generalized rule like everything Kawai. They are Kawai. They strive to be Kawai. Females like everything pink, and young, and cute. As winter has been approaching so the baby blankets which the Japanese girls wear to keep their legs warm are coming out. These are 15-16-17-18 year old girls – with really baby blankets. I was quite surprised. But, that`s what it is – kawai culture exactly.
I wonder if boys like girls who are kawai. I wonder where it comes from, this urge to be small, little, cute and pink. Hello Kitty as well – the alternative national symbol of Japan! Kawai culture. It is everywhere here.
And Kawai culture doesn`t stop with teenage girls. Japanese women are Kawai aswell. My supervisor – probably aged 40 ish (but you never can tell …) – she has a bright pink phone and a pale pink, girly lunchbox. The 40 year old woman I have English conversation practice with is similarly cute and pink in her tastes for things. Her Home Economics room is very girly. You wouldn`t really see many middle aged women like this outside of Japan I don`t think.
Perhaps it is bound up with an urge to look childlike. I wonder if that is in fashion. Certainly, everyone in Japan always looks younger than their years. Maybe this is due to genetics, but also due to the fact that many women do wear young fashions.
Something that struck me in my class this afternoon was the immaturity of Japanese students. Perhaps this is all related as well. This was a class of 15-16 year olds, and yet I realized I was talking to them as if they were 12-13, or 11 even! I always am like this towards them. And it is normal – that is how they are. That is how they want to be talked to. They are immature, and I wonder if this is all bound together with the Kawai, cute, young culture.
I was particularly struck by this immaturity in this lesson because of the presence of the Australian exchange student. She was much more as I would expect a 15-16 year old to be. It made me realize that when I teach, I often forget the age of the students. I realize that I often teach as if I am teaching a class of 12-13 year olds – because that is how they behave! That is how they are! Immature, and the girls kawai aswell.
I wonder where this urge to be young, cute, small, childlike and kawai comes from. It is distinctively Japanese. I can`t think of other countries where physical immaturity like this is an ideal.
I don`t speak Japanese and by result of this fact, the people I meet and make friends with are the ones that speak English. Usually these are the peoplewho are interested in cultures too – that`s why they want to learn. And obviously the people who like to come to events like the world culture seminar, certainly are those who are interested to learn about new cultures, who want to share cultures.
As a significant side point to note, the vast majority of this group of people that I have just been classifying, are middle-aged to old women.
I tend to meet a lot of these women. They tend to befriend me. I am interested in them because I love to find out more about the Japanese culture. (Though it does get a little out of control at times – the bombardment of questions during teatime after my speech was quite overwhelming, as one example).
I have been reliably informed that I am very attractive to women like this. They see me as the polite English girl. Absolutely typical of their image of my culture – and that is why they love to meet me, and befriend me. I don`t mind it. I like to meet women who are interested, like me, in sharing information about cultural differences. Though sometimes it does get a little out of control with multiple clashing invitations of lunch dates with old women!
But, it is just brilliant in many other ways, because these women like to share their culture just as I do … and I love to learn about their culture. Sometimes they tell me explicit new things (like what Japanese people do for New Year – decorate their front gate, and make a special Mochi rice cake, and what they eat for breakfast – rice and natto). But, other times they tell me nothing new. We talk about things that I have already observed, but they explain why those things are like that/ done like that. Sometimes, they mention things that I have observed unconsciously but never really thought about as something different or significant in itself.
One conversation, it was as if she had invented a new phrase – but it fitted so perfectly to what I had been unconsciously noticing, but without properly realizing: Kawai Culture. I hadn`t heard it before … but it is so true.
Kawai translates into English as “cute”. Girls and women in Japan, as a generalized rule like everything Kawai. They are Kawai. They strive to be Kawai. Females like everything pink, and young, and cute. As winter has been approaching so the baby blankets which the Japanese girls wear to keep their legs warm are coming out. These are 15-16-17-18 year old girls – with really baby blankets. I was quite surprised. But, that`s what it is – kawai culture exactly.
I wonder if boys like girls who are kawai. I wonder where it comes from, this urge to be small, little, cute and pink. Hello Kitty as well – the alternative national symbol of Japan! Kawai culture. It is everywhere here.
And Kawai culture doesn`t stop with teenage girls. Japanese women are Kawai aswell. My supervisor – probably aged 40 ish (but you never can tell …) – she has a bright pink phone and a pale pink, girly lunchbox. The 40 year old woman I have English conversation practice with is similarly cute and pink in her tastes for things. Her Home Economics room is very girly. You wouldn`t really see many middle aged women like this outside of Japan I don`t think.
Perhaps it is bound up with an urge to look childlike. I wonder if that is in fashion. Certainly, everyone in Japan always looks younger than their years. Maybe this is due to genetics, but also due to the fact that many women do wear young fashions.
Something that struck me in my class this afternoon was the immaturity of Japanese students. Perhaps this is all related as well. This was a class of 15-16 year olds, and yet I realized I was talking to them as if they were 12-13, or 11 even! I always am like this towards them. And it is normal – that is how they are. That is how they want to be talked to. They are immature, and I wonder if this is all bound together with the Kawai, cute, young culture.
I was particularly struck by this immaturity in this lesson because of the presence of the Australian exchange student. She was much more as I would expect a 15-16 year old to be. It made me realize that when I teach, I often forget the age of the students. I realize that I often teach as if I am teaching a class of 12-13 year olds – because that is how they behave! That is how they are! Immature, and the girls kawai aswell.
I wonder where this urge to be young, cute, small, childlike and kawai comes from. It is distinctively Japanese. I can`t think of other countries where physical immaturity like this is an ideal.
Hidden Europe: the mountain villages of northern Albania
Having meaning in my day-to-day life is something that focuses my mind and my energy and gets me back feeling good. Recently that meaning has been created by my speech for the World Culture Seminar in Mito. I have been working on this speech since the beginning of my time here and I am thrilled that it was a great success, and I feel, a real personal achievement for me.
I do feel that this year has changed me in so many positive ways. And I`m sure I haven`t realized all of these ways yet. I feel confident in my life, I know much more now what I want to do (career-wise), what I am interested in, what my abilities are.
And I don`t have a problem with public speaking. I have never been a public speaker in my life. But, speaking to a class of students doesn`t faze me. And neither did the speech to the World Culture Seminar group. Perhaps it was because I was allowed to sit down, and it was a relatively informal atmosphere. But I spoke for about 1 hour and a half on my subject. I`m still surprised at myself really. Trying to imagine myself doing this in England.
Being in Japan has helped me to articulate myself better too. People have commented that they find it easy to understand my English. Before I left, I`d often be criticised for mumbling so perhaps as a result of this year in Japan, that has become a thing of the past.
I have noticed that I am more sure of myself when I speak, I do articulate myself better. Being in Japan has helped me to express myself more clearly (because I have to) and articulate myself better, and perhaps to become a better public speaker.
But, I think my enthusiasm for the topic was definitely a key reason for the success of the speech. But, to have such an enthusiasm itself is something relatively new for me! A few years ago I had no passion for anything in particular. Now, to be so interested in the subject of my speech helped me to articulate the topic well. I am so pleased that the year in Japan has had this effect to improve my communication skills and my confidence in myself and who I am. ….. what a cliché – to go round the world to discover yourself. …but there seems to be a thread of truth in my case.
I do feel that this year has changed me in so many positive ways. And I`m sure I haven`t realized all of these ways yet. I feel confident in my life, I know much more now what I want to do (career-wise), what I am interested in, what my abilities are.
And I don`t have a problem with public speaking. I have never been a public speaker in my life. But, speaking to a class of students doesn`t faze me. And neither did the speech to the World Culture Seminar group. Perhaps it was because I was allowed to sit down, and it was a relatively informal atmosphere. But I spoke for about 1 hour and a half on my subject. I`m still surprised at myself really. Trying to imagine myself doing this in England.
Being in Japan has helped me to articulate myself better too. People have commented that they find it easy to understand my English. Before I left, I`d often be criticised for mumbling so perhaps as a result of this year in Japan, that has become a thing of the past.
I have noticed that I am more sure of myself when I speak, I do articulate myself better. Being in Japan has helped me to express myself more clearly (because I have to) and articulate myself better, and perhaps to become a better public speaker.
But, I think my enthusiasm for the topic was definitely a key reason for the success of the speech. But, to have such an enthusiasm itself is something relatively new for me! A few years ago I had no passion for anything in particular. Now, to be so interested in the subject of my speech helped me to articulate the topic well. I am so pleased that the year in Japan has had this effect to improve my communication skills and my confidence in myself and who I am. ….. what a cliché – to go round the world to discover yourself. …but there seems to be a thread of truth in my case.
Push Factors
My decision to leave was sudden, and my initial investigation of the flight WAS directly due to an aspect of Japan that I hate, which I experienced last weekend.
There are so many things that I love about Japan. But of the things I hate, everything surrounding the holiday-making habits of the Japanese ranks pretty highly. The reasoning behind the horrific tourist phenomenon that I experienced last weekend goes roughly like this, I think:
In every Japanese workplace there is a strong work ethic. It looks bad if you take lots holiday (meaning take more than half of your yearly holiday allowance, or, take that half holiday allowance all at once – rather than odd days here an there). – The only time when it is legitimately acceptable to take holiday is on the specified national holiday days. (as a side point Japan does have a lot of national holidays – possibly relating to the prevention of national insanity by making people take time off).
Another significant point relevant to the analysis of my bad weekend is the Japanese national enthusiasm for their four seasons. The number of times I have conversations about the beautiful autumn leaves, or the incredible spring cherry blossom, is some absolute astronomical figure. Continuously, I am recommended to go to places at this time, because the autumn leaves will be at their most magnificent, or at this time because of the ultimate cherry blossom. TV channels make predictions of where the best blossom flowers will be as the weeks roll by, and the weather changes from north to south. Autumn leaves viewing, and cherry blossom viewing is a very popular pastime for many Japanese people, so naturally most people know which weekend is the best time to visit particular places to enjoy the beauty.
And therein lies the problem. Hakone is a popular tourist site. I knew that, - a great view of Mt. Fuji, a nice lake, nice nature, (and beautiful autumn leaves at this time of year of course). The weekend we chose to travel to Hakone was a national holiday weekend, in autumn. Error, ERROR. Everyone knows Hakone has beautiful autumn leaves now. Everyone is set free from work because it is a national holiday weekend. So they all go to the SAME beautiful places, at the SAME time.
Tourism on bank holidays is always going to be busy, whichever country you are in, but it is so much more extreme in Japan.
Problem 1 – there was a problem with our hotel booking, and it turned out we didn`t have one. Therefore, the activities we had planned for 3 days originally had to be packed into 1 day. Before, I came to Hakone this already didn`t sound like my idea of a relaxing weekend because I like to have to time to explore, stop and enjoy. And not be a standard tourist following the set route, taking the obligatory photos as and when.
But that was only the tip of the preverbial iceberg. After finally arriving in Hakone at 12 o`clock, after waiting for everyone not turning up on time, and losing people, waiting for smokers to have their cigarettes in the designated smoking squares on the street (you can`t smoke in the street in Japan). (I`m never traveling in a group of 14 again by the way), we stepped off the train.
We stepped off the train into a swarm of human bodies. There were crowds and crowds of people EVERYWHERE. Turned out we had to join the hour long queue of people going out of the station to come back into the station to get on the cram packed train which was taking people up the mountain.
In places like Hakone, where there are set sites to see there are free pass tickets you can by. To do the route of sight-seeing that gets all the important sights in. It is how I hate to be a tourist. No chance to be independent. No chance to explore on your own. Just join the queue, join the crowds of commuters who are moving around the sites like zombies. Horrific. I saw no beauty in Hakone that day. I was in a queue for the whole day. It was fantastic weather outside. And I`m sure the autumn leaves were beautiful if I could have seen them, beyond all the human heads and bodies crushed next to me, beyond the concrete walls and barriers of the building I was standing inside on this beautiful day.
After 2 more hours in queues, by 2 o`clock we had been on the train and got some distance up the mountain, but we were getting really hungry. I wanted a good meal not just some rice ball or newsagent snack.
Unbelievably to me, there was only on restaurant in this people swarmed place. So, guess what – we stepped out of our place in the set route queue – and joined another one! – to get into the restaurant! It was nearing 4 o`clock by the time we were done in the restaurant.
And the sun was on it`s way down – oh yes. I kid you not. We would finally reach the destination of one of the sights in Hakone and we wouldn`t bloody be able to see it because it would be dark!
As it goes, we did have a stroke of luck (which was rather overdue this weekend). We did travel on the ropeway at the time of the sunset, giving us a fabulous view of Mt. Fuji with the sun setting around it. Stunning. Of course, everybody was viewing this through the LCD screens of their cameras (will they remember actually being there??? Another problem of tourists everywhere). My camera was broken. But I hope I will remember that view for a long time because it was amazing.
That was the one highlight of a bad trip. We had to skip other aspects of our free pass due to lack of time to complete everything (no chance to fry an egg on the hot volcanic ground!). So quickly back in the queue for us. The view from the lake of Fuji is also said be be incredible, but by the time we made the last boat of the day Hakone was in darkness.
The whole trip was just ridiculous. I wonder how many Japanese enjoy their holiday time like that.
SO, all in all, in returning from Hakone to think about my Christmas plans, I came back thinking, there is NO WAY I want to be near any tourist site in Japan during a period of national holiday time. That`s why I decided to go home! The best place to have a relaxing holiday. Because, a holiday like Hakone, or even a milder version of – would not be relaxing.
There are so many things that I love about Japan. But of the things I hate, everything surrounding the holiday-making habits of the Japanese ranks pretty highly. The reasoning behind the horrific tourist phenomenon that I experienced last weekend goes roughly like this, I think:
In every Japanese workplace there is a strong work ethic. It looks bad if you take lots holiday (meaning take more than half of your yearly holiday allowance, or, take that half holiday allowance all at once – rather than odd days here an there). – The only time when it is legitimately acceptable to take holiday is on the specified national holiday days. (as a side point Japan does have a lot of national holidays – possibly relating to the prevention of national insanity by making people take time off).
Another significant point relevant to the analysis of my bad weekend is the Japanese national enthusiasm for their four seasons. The number of times I have conversations about the beautiful autumn leaves, or the incredible spring cherry blossom, is some absolute astronomical figure. Continuously, I am recommended to go to places at this time, because the autumn leaves will be at their most magnificent, or at this time because of the ultimate cherry blossom. TV channels make predictions of where the best blossom flowers will be as the weeks roll by, and the weather changes from north to south. Autumn leaves viewing, and cherry blossom viewing is a very popular pastime for many Japanese people, so naturally most people know which weekend is the best time to visit particular places to enjoy the beauty.
And therein lies the problem. Hakone is a popular tourist site. I knew that, - a great view of Mt. Fuji, a nice lake, nice nature, (and beautiful autumn leaves at this time of year of course). The weekend we chose to travel to Hakone was a national holiday weekend, in autumn. Error, ERROR. Everyone knows Hakone has beautiful autumn leaves now. Everyone is set free from work because it is a national holiday weekend. So they all go to the SAME beautiful places, at the SAME time.
Tourism on bank holidays is always going to be busy, whichever country you are in, but it is so much more extreme in Japan.
Problem 1 – there was a problem with our hotel booking, and it turned out we didn`t have one. Therefore, the activities we had planned for 3 days originally had to be packed into 1 day. Before, I came to Hakone this already didn`t sound like my idea of a relaxing weekend because I like to have to time to explore, stop and enjoy. And not be a standard tourist following the set route, taking the obligatory photos as and when.
But that was only the tip of the preverbial iceberg. After finally arriving in Hakone at 12 o`clock, after waiting for everyone not turning up on time, and losing people, waiting for smokers to have their cigarettes in the designated smoking squares on the street (you can`t smoke in the street in Japan). (I`m never traveling in a group of 14 again by the way), we stepped off the train.
We stepped off the train into a swarm of human bodies. There were crowds and crowds of people EVERYWHERE. Turned out we had to join the hour long queue of people going out of the station to come back into the station to get on the cram packed train which was taking people up the mountain.
In places like Hakone, where there are set sites to see there are free pass tickets you can by. To do the route of sight-seeing that gets all the important sights in. It is how I hate to be a tourist. No chance to be independent. No chance to explore on your own. Just join the queue, join the crowds of commuters who are moving around the sites like zombies. Horrific. I saw no beauty in Hakone that day. I was in a queue for the whole day. It was fantastic weather outside. And I`m sure the autumn leaves were beautiful if I could have seen them, beyond all the human heads and bodies crushed next to me, beyond the concrete walls and barriers of the building I was standing inside on this beautiful day.
After 2 more hours in queues, by 2 o`clock we had been on the train and got some distance up the mountain, but we were getting really hungry. I wanted a good meal not just some rice ball or newsagent snack.
Unbelievably to me, there was only on restaurant in this people swarmed place. So, guess what – we stepped out of our place in the set route queue – and joined another one! – to get into the restaurant! It was nearing 4 o`clock by the time we were done in the restaurant.
And the sun was on it`s way down – oh yes. I kid you not. We would finally reach the destination of one of the sights in Hakone and we wouldn`t bloody be able to see it because it would be dark!
As it goes, we did have a stroke of luck (which was rather overdue this weekend). We did travel on the ropeway at the time of the sunset, giving us a fabulous view of Mt. Fuji with the sun setting around it. Stunning. Of course, everybody was viewing this through the LCD screens of their cameras (will they remember actually being there??? Another problem of tourists everywhere). My camera was broken. But I hope I will remember that view for a long time because it was amazing.
That was the one highlight of a bad trip. We had to skip other aspects of our free pass due to lack of time to complete everything (no chance to fry an egg on the hot volcanic ground!). So quickly back in the queue for us. The view from the lake of Fuji is also said be be incredible, but by the time we made the last boat of the day Hakone was in darkness.
The whole trip was just ridiculous. I wonder how many Japanese enjoy their holiday time like that.
SO, all in all, in returning from Hakone to think about my Christmas plans, I came back thinking, there is NO WAY I want to be near any tourist site in Japan during a period of national holiday time. That`s why I decided to go home! The best place to have a relaxing holiday. Because, a holiday like Hakone, or even a milder version of – would not be relaxing.
A Sudden Change of Direction
Well, a sudden change of feeling, a dramatic change of direction, and a big movement of cash, and I`m off home for Christmas in 3 weeks.
Up until the last couple of weeks I was brilliantly happy in Japan, and in a secure way. My job, and the other related aspects to being an ALT here is fulfilling. My social life was active, and I was thriving in my complete independence from my English friends and family.
When I signed the acceptance slip of my job offer from JET I knew full well the chanllenge of total independence from family support would be the biggest challenge to meet. I pushed myself to independence – that`s what I always want. That`s what I always view as an ultimate human achievement of human life. To push yourself to be able to survive completely alone in a foreign country. And I`ve done it. I`ve done it for 4 months here.
But I find myself questioning why I strive for this extreme independence all the time. At the end of the day (literally, too), I am on my own. Human beings are social animals. We are meant to form relationships with each other – that`s the real meaning in my existence. I am not in a relationship so the most important links are with my family. And here I am, the other side of the world, nearly as far away as I can be from the most significant relationships in my life at the moment.
My reasoning for my current independence is obviously not completely unfounded. I did definitely really want to come here. It is good to be able to know that you can rely on yourself. That you can survive and look after yourself. That you won`t fall apart if you don`t have your family and your friends around you for support. And because of this experience I have proved to myself that I can do that.
But, people shouldn`t just survive. They should live, and have meaning in their lives. If it just becomes survival through the days - just to prove a point, that you ae strong, and you can survive on your own, then that`s just ridiculous and pointless.
This is definitely not to say, things have got so bad to the extent I am just surviving here, which I am definitely not. As I said I find a lot to stimulate me in my job, (not so much the language teaching, but the opportunity to share my culture is something I find very rewarding).
However, it is the relationships that are a difficulty. Making friends takes timead obviously not everyone you meet at the beginning is such a good friend as you thought they were. People adjust their personalities to a common norm at the beginning – it`s natural of course – to get along with each other. I`m not complaining, I am just wanting something that is not here/ I haven`t found yet.
You need energy to stay in the social loop, energy to not fall out and not miss out on future events. I realise that, and I must keep my energy up.
I`ve concluded from my endless thinking about the meanings in my life, that I have decided to go go home for Christmas. It is starting to feel a terribly long time without my family. I can`t wait to see them – there is so much you miss out on, not being in physical presence with a person, and it is something I feel that I am increasingly missing.
Once the intial serious thought of going home first entered my mind as a serious possibility I think that opened a small gate in my brain that I had been keeping shut, as a “staying happy and on top of life” mechanism. It allowed me to fell, actually, yes, I really do want to be at home now. I don`t know if these feelings had been there for longer, but if I had been thinking them before I didn`t register it. And a good job too because I wouldn`t have enjoyed myself in Japan as much as I have done because half of my mind would have been in England.
Occasionally I feel as though it is giving up, to go home for Christmas. But the very fact I use that very language says something in itself. Giving up on what?? Giving up struggling alone?? If I got to that stage on non-enjoyment there is no point. Whay force myself not to be with my family when that is where Iwant to be?? Why take the difficult path? Should enjoy my relationships, and be with the people I want to be with.
Discovering other cultures is something I am diefinitely keen on, and is a passion of mine, but extended periods of life without people who are important to you is nothing, (or at least unnecessarily difficult).
I might well be idolising home. And of course, I probably am. Of course, Mum and Dad and E and J frustrate me.But, I am happy that I now have a definite plan to go home for Christmas. :-)
Up until the last couple of weeks I was brilliantly happy in Japan, and in a secure way. My job, and the other related aspects to being an ALT here is fulfilling. My social life was active, and I was thriving in my complete independence from my English friends and family.
When I signed the acceptance slip of my job offer from JET I knew full well the chanllenge of total independence from family support would be the biggest challenge to meet. I pushed myself to independence – that`s what I always want. That`s what I always view as an ultimate human achievement of human life. To push yourself to be able to survive completely alone in a foreign country. And I`ve done it. I`ve done it for 4 months here.
But I find myself questioning why I strive for this extreme independence all the time. At the end of the day (literally, too), I am on my own. Human beings are social animals. We are meant to form relationships with each other – that`s the real meaning in my existence. I am not in a relationship so the most important links are with my family. And here I am, the other side of the world, nearly as far away as I can be from the most significant relationships in my life at the moment.
My reasoning for my current independence is obviously not completely unfounded. I did definitely really want to come here. It is good to be able to know that you can rely on yourself. That you can survive and look after yourself. That you won`t fall apart if you don`t have your family and your friends around you for support. And because of this experience I have proved to myself that I can do that.
But, people shouldn`t just survive. They should live, and have meaning in their lives. If it just becomes survival through the days - just to prove a point, that you ae strong, and you can survive on your own, then that`s just ridiculous and pointless.
This is definitely not to say, things have got so bad to the extent I am just surviving here, which I am definitely not. As I said I find a lot to stimulate me in my job, (not so much the language teaching, but the opportunity to share my culture is something I find very rewarding).
However, it is the relationships that are a difficulty. Making friends takes timead obviously not everyone you meet at the beginning is such a good friend as you thought they were. People adjust their personalities to a common norm at the beginning – it`s natural of course – to get along with each other. I`m not complaining, I am just wanting something that is not here/ I haven`t found yet.
You need energy to stay in the social loop, energy to not fall out and not miss out on future events. I realise that, and I must keep my energy up.
I`ve concluded from my endless thinking about the meanings in my life, that I have decided to go go home for Christmas. It is starting to feel a terribly long time without my family. I can`t wait to see them – there is so much you miss out on, not being in physical presence with a person, and it is something I feel that I am increasingly missing.
Once the intial serious thought of going home first entered my mind as a serious possibility I think that opened a small gate in my brain that I had been keeping shut, as a “staying happy and on top of life” mechanism. It allowed me to fell, actually, yes, I really do want to be at home now. I don`t know if these feelings had been there for longer, but if I had been thinking them before I didn`t register it. And a good job too because I wouldn`t have enjoyed myself in Japan as much as I have done because half of my mind would have been in England.
Occasionally I feel as though it is giving up, to go home for Christmas. But the very fact I use that very language says something in itself. Giving up on what?? Giving up struggling alone?? If I got to that stage on non-enjoyment there is no point. Whay force myself not to be with my family when that is where Iwant to be?? Why take the difficult path? Should enjoy my relationships, and be with the people I want to be with.
Discovering other cultures is something I am diefinitely keen on, and is a passion of mine, but extended periods of life without people who are important to you is nothing, (or at least unnecessarily difficult).
I might well be idolising home. And of course, I probably am. Of course, Mum and Dad and E and J frustrate me.But, I am happy that I now have a definite plan to go home for Christmas. :-)
Tuesday, 4 November 2008
The Health of the Japanese Workforce
Any outsider – on finding out the working hours of the average Japanese worker might assume that the Japanese working population are a haggard, work weary, sleep deprived, aged group of souls who have lost touch with the true meaning of life.
But the reality is startlingly opposite to that. The Japanese nation, on average, to my eyes is a picture of health and vitality. After being at the office until god-knows-what hour being busybusy, teaching classes, team-teaching with me, with A LOT of energy and enthusiasm, staying late doing things I would never know about, meeting parents, running tea ceremony club and all the rest, my supervisor heads home for about 9 pm. There she will be responsible for cooking her son, hers and her husband’s dinner, and doing the housework, before heading for bed, and then getting up at 5 am the next morning, for another similarly relentless day. This is what I can gather is my supervisors daily routine, and probably has been all of her adult life. (Except up until this year she ran tennis club for 2-3 hours every day after school and 4 hours on weekend days – she stopped this to be able to spend more time with her son because of his stage in the last year of junior high – a key year). My supervisor is a vision of health. She is energetic – running around the teachers room, always. She is hysterical – always laughing out loud. I never really see her trudge around with tiredness. And it is the same with many other teachers. This hardcore intense lifestyle seems to suit them in some unfathomable way to me. How they manage to keep it up is a mystery to. Maybe it`s something in that rice that they eat.
But – I`ve been eating Japanese rice for nearly 3 months now and I still trudge around. It is indeed a mystery. I wonder if I will ever discover it …
But the reality is startlingly opposite to that. The Japanese nation, on average, to my eyes is a picture of health and vitality. After being at the office until god-knows-what hour being busybusy, teaching classes, team-teaching with me, with A LOT of energy and enthusiasm, staying late doing things I would never know about, meeting parents, running tea ceremony club and all the rest, my supervisor heads home for about 9 pm. There she will be responsible for cooking her son, hers and her husband’s dinner, and doing the housework, before heading for bed, and then getting up at 5 am the next morning, for another similarly relentless day. This is what I can gather is my supervisors daily routine, and probably has been all of her adult life. (Except up until this year she ran tennis club for 2-3 hours every day after school and 4 hours on weekend days – she stopped this to be able to spend more time with her son because of his stage in the last year of junior high – a key year). My supervisor is a vision of health. She is energetic – running around the teachers room, always. She is hysterical – always laughing out loud. I never really see her trudge around with tiredness. And it is the same with many other teachers. This hardcore intense lifestyle seems to suit them in some unfathomable way to me. How they manage to keep it up is a mystery to. Maybe it`s something in that rice that they eat.
But – I`ve been eating Japanese rice for nearly 3 months now and I still trudge around. It is indeed a mystery. I wonder if I will ever discover it …
E-ju-cay-shun
The club activities are clearly a major difference between the job of an English teacher and the job of a teacher in Japan (see previous post).
Taken aback is too strong a word to use, but I was mildly surprised at teachers behavior towards students in general. It wasn`t just one teacher but I notice it with nearly every JTE I teach with. And the fact I noticed it, a small difference, is important. Japanese teachers have a much more hands-on contact with their students compared to English teachers. If the student is slumped over their desk asleep (as many often are) the teacher will touch the student, and shake them to get them going, hit them (gently!) around the head – almost in a coaxing sort of way. Teachers in Japan have a lot more person-to-person contact with their students. I`m sure that if this occurred in England, students would view it as strange, and probably some smart-arse student would say it was paedophilia/ child abuse in a joking way. Even though in jest, this would cross the minds of English people – the students, their parents, their teachers. But, in Japan this would not cross the mind of anyone. This is just a normal way to be in the classroom.
It reflects a deeper, overall divergence between the style of Japanese and English education. Japanese teachers are much more similar to parents in many ways, concerning the amount of input they have into the raising of children into young adults. Many times in the teachers room I see students talking deeply to teachers about matters that are probably quite serious. This is not just a few isolated cases, but I see it relatively often, in all of my schools. When I speak to teachers and ask how they can possibly find enough work to do to keep them in the teachers room until late into the evening, the teachers often state that they are speaking to the parents of their students on the phone. That that are meeting with the parents of the students. These teachers play a hugely important role in the upbringing of the children. They spend so much time with these children through the school day, and as part of the club activities, meeting the students individually to discuss their work (and having more personal conversations too is what I guess from seeing some hushed conversations here). Naturally, because of all this contact, the homeroom teacher of a student knows that student extremely well, perhaps almost to the level of a parent in some cases. It was interesting for me to find out, that in Japan if a student ever gets into trouble with the police, the first thing the police will do, is to call the school, to get the student`s homeroom teacher to come down to the station! The teachers do have this level of involvement in the moral upbringing of their students.
But, this role similar to a parent has led to problems I believe with the maturity (or lack thereof, as the case may be) in Japanese students. Because the teachers have such a close parental-like role the students can become very dependent on them. Never afraid to ask for help from their teacher-parent (and never will this help be turned down).
It crystallized for me after I had been to Hitachi-kita school for a couple of weeks. Hitachi-kita is my high level school. As is logical, in the higher level schools the students are more serious about school, the teachers are more serious about school. Therefore, the relationship between students and their teacher is perhaps intensified compared to the lower level schools (where the kids view school as purely a social occasion). Hitachi-kita`s aim is to get maximum kids into maximum good universities. They are the 3rd best ranked school in Hitachi and because of this aim there is pressure, pressure, pressure – on the teachers AND the students.
These teachers take few breaks as far as I can see. Even during lunchtime students are frequently in the classroom talking with their teachers, receiving personal help with their school work. Teachers do this because they are so motivated by the university pressure, but also because of the general attitude of heavy involvement in the students` academic and personal achievement and development. A couple of students come and ask me to check over their work during lunchtime. I do it, I correct it, as all teachers do (because these kids are keen – want to study English at university, and to reject them would be seen to discourage them). But, I just think and imagine the situation if this were to happen on a daily basis in an English staffroom as it does here (a stream of students coming into the staffroom to ask for help with their work). Fuck off, let me eat my lunch in peace! would be the response I reckon.
Is this a good thing? This personal help. It might improve them in the short-term. Having your teacher standing over you, making you work, giving you detailed personal help will surely increase your marks, but I would say it is a problem in the longterm. These kids are going through school extremely immature. Teachers do comment that Japanese students are immature, and this heavy involvement in their students lives is I`m sure, part of the problem. When they leave school and study at university it must be a big shock. To work individually without such close teacher help. To work without the knowledge that a teacher is standing over you, and will act as a big motivating force in you getting your work done. To work without knowing in the back of your head that your teacher will correct your work if you ask for it.
It is this kind of personal work that takes so much of a teacher`s time. I remember talking to Tomota-sensei. Leaving school at 5.15 pm. She would be working on a student`s speech contest speech that evening. The student had made some crap attempt at it, but Tomota-sensei was going to rewrite it because she didn`t think it was good enough. She even emailed it to me to check it as well. The dedication of these teachers to their students does astound me. (And for a teacher to write a student`s speech is entirely normal by the way. I judged a speech contest last weekend – and knowing the standard of high school student English there is NO WAY that most of the students had written what they wrote).
So, how has this method of teaching – which in my view tends to produce immature students, come about? Why are these teachers taking on a parental role? It`s because of the wider Japanese working culture. Japanese adults all work late. If both parents work – what happens to the kid? Teachers take the parent role, because the parents often hardly have time to! If the kids don`t spend all their evenings and much of their weekends and their holidays doing club activities who is going to look after the children? Working parents certainly don`t have time too. So the teachers take on this pseudo-parent role. To fill the role that working parents do not have time for, because THEY are at work. It`s a little sad really.
To summarise it is the never-ending commitment to the club activity and all that it entails (coaching, refereeing, driving the club to matches all around Ibaraki – and beyond, if your club is good), and the intense personal attention students receive from their teachers, on top of the regular lessons and lesson planning, that account for the way Japanese teachers work the hours that they do.
Taken aback is too strong a word to use, but I was mildly surprised at teachers behavior towards students in general. It wasn`t just one teacher but I notice it with nearly every JTE I teach with. And the fact I noticed it, a small difference, is important. Japanese teachers have a much more hands-on contact with their students compared to English teachers. If the student is slumped over their desk asleep (as many often are) the teacher will touch the student, and shake them to get them going, hit them (gently!) around the head – almost in a coaxing sort of way. Teachers in Japan have a lot more person-to-person contact with their students. I`m sure that if this occurred in England, students would view it as strange, and probably some smart-arse student would say it was paedophilia/ child abuse in a joking way. Even though in jest, this would cross the minds of English people – the students, their parents, their teachers. But, in Japan this would not cross the mind of anyone. This is just a normal way to be in the classroom.
It reflects a deeper, overall divergence between the style of Japanese and English education. Japanese teachers are much more similar to parents in many ways, concerning the amount of input they have into the raising of children into young adults. Many times in the teachers room I see students talking deeply to teachers about matters that are probably quite serious. This is not just a few isolated cases, but I see it relatively often, in all of my schools. When I speak to teachers and ask how they can possibly find enough work to do to keep them in the teachers room until late into the evening, the teachers often state that they are speaking to the parents of their students on the phone. That that are meeting with the parents of the students. These teachers play a hugely important role in the upbringing of the children. They spend so much time with these children through the school day, and as part of the club activities, meeting the students individually to discuss their work (and having more personal conversations too is what I guess from seeing some hushed conversations here). Naturally, because of all this contact, the homeroom teacher of a student knows that student extremely well, perhaps almost to the level of a parent in some cases. It was interesting for me to find out, that in Japan if a student ever gets into trouble with the police, the first thing the police will do, is to call the school, to get the student`s homeroom teacher to come down to the station! The teachers do have this level of involvement in the moral upbringing of their students.
But, this role similar to a parent has led to problems I believe with the maturity (or lack thereof, as the case may be) in Japanese students. Because the teachers have such a close parental-like role the students can become very dependent on them. Never afraid to ask for help from their teacher-parent (and never will this help be turned down).
It crystallized for me after I had been to Hitachi-kita school for a couple of weeks. Hitachi-kita is my high level school. As is logical, in the higher level schools the students are more serious about school, the teachers are more serious about school. Therefore, the relationship between students and their teacher is perhaps intensified compared to the lower level schools (where the kids view school as purely a social occasion). Hitachi-kita`s aim is to get maximum kids into maximum good universities. They are the 3rd best ranked school in Hitachi and because of this aim there is pressure, pressure, pressure – on the teachers AND the students.
These teachers take few breaks as far as I can see. Even during lunchtime students are frequently in the classroom talking with their teachers, receiving personal help with their school work. Teachers do this because they are so motivated by the university pressure, but also because of the general attitude of heavy involvement in the students` academic and personal achievement and development. A couple of students come and ask me to check over their work during lunchtime. I do it, I correct it, as all teachers do (because these kids are keen – want to study English at university, and to reject them would be seen to discourage them). But, I just think and imagine the situation if this were to happen on a daily basis in an English staffroom as it does here (a stream of students coming into the staffroom to ask for help with their work). Fuck off, let me eat my lunch in peace! would be the response I reckon.
Is this a good thing? This personal help. It might improve them in the short-term. Having your teacher standing over you, making you work, giving you detailed personal help will surely increase your marks, but I would say it is a problem in the longterm. These kids are going through school extremely immature. Teachers do comment that Japanese students are immature, and this heavy involvement in their students lives is I`m sure, part of the problem. When they leave school and study at university it must be a big shock. To work individually without such close teacher help. To work without the knowledge that a teacher is standing over you, and will act as a big motivating force in you getting your work done. To work without knowing in the back of your head that your teacher will correct your work if you ask for it.
It is this kind of personal work that takes so much of a teacher`s time. I remember talking to Tomota-sensei. Leaving school at 5.15 pm. She would be working on a student`s speech contest speech that evening. The student had made some crap attempt at it, but Tomota-sensei was going to rewrite it because she didn`t think it was good enough. She even emailed it to me to check it as well. The dedication of these teachers to their students does astound me. (And for a teacher to write a student`s speech is entirely normal by the way. I judged a speech contest last weekend – and knowing the standard of high school student English there is NO WAY that most of the students had written what they wrote).
So, how has this method of teaching – which in my view tends to produce immature students, come about? Why are these teachers taking on a parental role? It`s because of the wider Japanese working culture. Japanese adults all work late. If both parents work – what happens to the kid? Teachers take the parent role, because the parents often hardly have time to! If the kids don`t spend all their evenings and much of their weekends and their holidays doing club activities who is going to look after the children? Working parents certainly don`t have time too. So the teachers take on this pseudo-parent role. To fill the role that working parents do not have time for, because THEY are at work. It`s a little sad really.
To summarise it is the never-ending commitment to the club activity and all that it entails (coaching, refereeing, driving the club to matches all around Ibaraki – and beyond, if your club is good), and the intense personal attention students receive from their teachers, on top of the regular lessons and lesson planning, that account for the way Japanese teachers work the hours that they do.
Working Hours and CLUB ACTIVITIES
The Japanese education system is different from education in England in so MANY ways that I hardly know where to begin with this blog post.
But, I will start, logically, with my initial incredulity from my first few days in Japan (which continues today, and I`m sure will continue until the end of the year) at the teachers who remain at school late into the evening, everyday. This is a different case from the reason they all come into work during the school holidays (which relates to the fact that teachers are public servants in Japan. The public expects that they work hard, and not slack off. Just because there are no students to teach doesn`t mean they shouldn`t be at work!).
No, during the school term, it is not like the holidays. Teachers do not draw out their time at work for good appearance to the public (though I am sure that not appearing lazy in front of your colleagues by going home before the average, is a part of it). Teachers remain at work late into the evening because they genuinely are THAT busy, and have not completed their work.
The time at which teachers will break out and leave the teacher`s room does vary from school to school. One JTE at my low level school leaves at 5.30 pm. (NB – all Japanese schools “finish” at 3.30 pm). This seemed very early to me. My supervisor at Taga typically leaves at 7 pm, and a JTE at a higher level school leaves at 8 pm. I am convinced that many teachers remain longer than this though. Certainly when I returned to school one day at 6.45 pm ish the teachers room was as full and lively as at any time during the school hours, and not many were showing signs of readiness to leave yet.
I am exemplifying typical timings here for everyday, normal days. However, Japanese schools have sports festivals, culture festivals, generic school festivals, a lot of effort for which is put in by the students and the teachers alike. Staying until 9.30-10 pm is the norm for my supervisor on these days. (And she only went home because her son was getting hungry(!)).
I am so curious about the teacher`s working hours that I like to ask as many people as I can, their daily schedule. The biggest shock I received was when talking to a junior high school teacher. He stated that typically he left work at 9 pm everyday (having arrived at work at 7 am by the way), arriving home to eat supper at 11 pm every night.
Why do they all work like this? The reason is they do not only plan lessons and teach lessons. That forms half or less of a teachers work in Japan. Admittedly, I have been told that junior high school teachers do have a slightly fuller schedule of lessons to teach in comparison to senior high school teachers who may have more free periods. But, these teachers are busy.
A major contribution to their busy-ness is the infamous “club activity”. Club activities are hugely important in Japanese schools. Every teacher should have responsibility for one (and those that do not, ARE looked down upon as not contributing significantly to the school life, and may even be moved on to another school soon).
Dedication, turning up to the club everyday for practice earns you respect. It is valued highly in Japan. Not only in the sphere of club activities but widely as a whole. In a way how dedicated you are to your club sport is more important than how good you are at the sport (though the two are obviously linked). My supervisor’s husband teaches at junior high level and had moved schools a few years ago. At his previous school he had been in charge of baseball club but at his new school he was to replace the teacher that had been in charge of basketball club. SO, what else was he to do – but learn the rules of basketball! He bought a rule book, he studied it. He turned up to the practice with the students. They respected him as their team coach BECAUSE of that dedication to their team. That is what is important in Japan – participation, dedication to the group, the community.
The teachers participation in the club activity is definitely given a lot of recognition by all the teachers and senior staff (well – you`d hope it would be, given the effort teachers make on this front). Japanese teachers are required to move schools – they are not allowed to stay working in one school for ever and ever (that would just be too kind – to allow a teacher to get comfortable in their school, perhaps live relatively nearby etc). They must stay in their schools for a minimum of 4 years and a maximum of 12 years. Though, a period of just 6 years at one school is typical. Teachers can only make a short list of 4 schools and they will be assigned to their next school by the authorities as where to go next. (The final decision as to where the teacher will teach does not rest with the teacher). But, it was interesting for me to find out that the only teacher I know who has stayed at a school for the 12 years is a teacher who is extremely dedicated to his swimming club. The club has been very successful in many prefectural competitions. And everybody in the teachers room knows, is very impressed. I am sure this teacher has not been required to move on from Taga High School because of his role in the club activity. More interesting is the case of a teacher who sits opposite me. My supervisor had told me early on, that she worries about this teacher. This teacher does not have a club activity of her own. As a result during the school holidays this teacher really did have nothing to do. She sat and read Japanese novels and did leave early. Of course this lack of contribution to the school life and community (both in time and club activity terms) was noticed by the other teachers and the by the more senior staff. My supervisor worries that this teacher will be moved on soon, and most likely to a lower level school. Her career could be on a downturn because she isn`t willing – like all of the rest – to live her life through Taga High School and spend most of her waking hours at a club activity. My supervisor says this is because she thinks that she is depressed – but, in England this attitude would be of any regular person! It certainly is my attitude.
But, I will start, logically, with my initial incredulity from my first few days in Japan (which continues today, and I`m sure will continue until the end of the year) at the teachers who remain at school late into the evening, everyday. This is a different case from the reason they all come into work during the school holidays (which relates to the fact that teachers are public servants in Japan. The public expects that they work hard, and not slack off. Just because there are no students to teach doesn`t mean they shouldn`t be at work!).
No, during the school term, it is not like the holidays. Teachers do not draw out their time at work for good appearance to the public (though I am sure that not appearing lazy in front of your colleagues by going home before the average, is a part of it). Teachers remain at work late into the evening because they genuinely are THAT busy, and have not completed their work.
The time at which teachers will break out and leave the teacher`s room does vary from school to school. One JTE at my low level school leaves at 5.30 pm. (NB – all Japanese schools “finish” at 3.30 pm). This seemed very early to me. My supervisor at Taga typically leaves at 7 pm, and a JTE at a higher level school leaves at 8 pm. I am convinced that many teachers remain longer than this though. Certainly when I returned to school one day at 6.45 pm ish the teachers room was as full and lively as at any time during the school hours, and not many were showing signs of readiness to leave yet.
I am exemplifying typical timings here for everyday, normal days. However, Japanese schools have sports festivals, culture festivals, generic school festivals, a lot of effort for which is put in by the students and the teachers alike. Staying until 9.30-10 pm is the norm for my supervisor on these days. (And she only went home because her son was getting hungry(!)).
I am so curious about the teacher`s working hours that I like to ask as many people as I can, their daily schedule. The biggest shock I received was when talking to a junior high school teacher. He stated that typically he left work at 9 pm everyday (having arrived at work at 7 am by the way), arriving home to eat supper at 11 pm every night.
Why do they all work like this? The reason is they do not only plan lessons and teach lessons. That forms half or less of a teachers work in Japan. Admittedly, I have been told that junior high school teachers do have a slightly fuller schedule of lessons to teach in comparison to senior high school teachers who may have more free periods. But, these teachers are busy.
A major contribution to their busy-ness is the infamous “club activity”. Club activities are hugely important in Japanese schools. Every teacher should have responsibility for one (and those that do not, ARE looked down upon as not contributing significantly to the school life, and may even be moved on to another school soon).
Dedication, turning up to the club everyday for practice earns you respect. It is valued highly in Japan. Not only in the sphere of club activities but widely as a whole. In a way how dedicated you are to your club sport is more important than how good you are at the sport (though the two are obviously linked). My supervisor’s husband teaches at junior high level and had moved schools a few years ago. At his previous school he had been in charge of baseball club but at his new school he was to replace the teacher that had been in charge of basketball club. SO, what else was he to do – but learn the rules of basketball! He bought a rule book, he studied it. He turned up to the practice with the students. They respected him as their team coach BECAUSE of that dedication to their team. That is what is important in Japan – participation, dedication to the group, the community.
The teachers participation in the club activity is definitely given a lot of recognition by all the teachers and senior staff (well – you`d hope it would be, given the effort teachers make on this front). Japanese teachers are required to move schools – they are not allowed to stay working in one school for ever and ever (that would just be too kind – to allow a teacher to get comfortable in their school, perhaps live relatively nearby etc). They must stay in their schools for a minimum of 4 years and a maximum of 12 years. Though, a period of just 6 years at one school is typical. Teachers can only make a short list of 4 schools and they will be assigned to their next school by the authorities as where to go next. (The final decision as to where the teacher will teach does not rest with the teacher). But, it was interesting for me to find out that the only teacher I know who has stayed at a school for the 12 years is a teacher who is extremely dedicated to his swimming club. The club has been very successful in many prefectural competitions. And everybody in the teachers room knows, is very impressed. I am sure this teacher has not been required to move on from Taga High School because of his role in the club activity. More interesting is the case of a teacher who sits opposite me. My supervisor had told me early on, that she worries about this teacher. This teacher does not have a club activity of her own. As a result during the school holidays this teacher really did have nothing to do. She sat and read Japanese novels and did leave early. Of course this lack of contribution to the school life and community (both in time and club activity terms) was noticed by the other teachers and the by the more senior staff. My supervisor worries that this teacher will be moved on soon, and most likely to a lower level school. Her career could be on a downturn because she isn`t willing – like all of the rest – to live her life through Taga High School and spend most of her waking hours at a club activity. My supervisor says this is because she thinks that she is depressed – but, in England this attitude would be of any regular person! It certainly is my attitude.
Thursday, 30 October 2008
Illness in Japan
I feel the healthiest I have ever been in Japan. And I see people dropping around me. (I hope this is not going to prompt anything …). People do live a healthy life here, what with the food they eat, and the exercise that they do. It has certainly had beneficial effects for me as I feel great.
Though I am noticing the arrival of the autumn chill is bringing colds to the masses here. The number of face masks I see in the streets is becoming increasingly common. It is strange to think how some aspects of life can be so normal, so, mundane, so everyday, in one country. And yet, in another country such a habit would be seen to be completely bizarre. I just cannot imagine any English person wearing a face mask in the street. But, yet, thinking about it objectively it makes so much sense! Such a simple method to stop germs spreading is I am sure, one of the most effective.
Of course people get ill in Japan. And although they have a very good method to reduce their catching of a germ – once they`ve got it, in my view, they`re going about it in a bloody stupid way to get rid of it.
The Japanese working culture – the underlying basis of so many of the cultural differences between Japan, and EVERYWHERE else, is once again the reason. People who are ill in Japan struggle into work. No matter how ill they are. Well obviously not if they`re on their deathbed. But I`ve seen teachers turn up for school definitely looking a little green, weak and in general not fit for work. How they thought that they could work effectively is beyond me. But, again, perhaps that is not the point. The point is to show your face, show your dedication to the group despite feeling so bad. It must look good. Though not resting ain`t going to do anything to speed your recovery. Watanabe-sensei turned up to work in a bad state yesterday. But, I could tell he did have a sort of respect from the other teachers from making it to the office.
Watanabe-sensei is one of the good guys. He is a genki teacher. He runs the basketball team with a lot of dedication and enthusiasm. He sacrifices a lot of his out-of-school time for them. He takes his 20 day holiday to go to the hospital (I was told he had taken nenkyu. I was about to ask where he was going on holiday. Later I found out he had used it for going to the hospital! Typical Japanese that!)
This dedication to the team, company, community must have such a strong pulling factor on the Japanese that I can`t even comprehend the scale. It makes people work so hard. So late. However, they feel. Am I a weaker human than them for looking after my personal interests and feelings? I feel like it sometimes. But, maybe I am staying more healthy my way, looking after myself. I like to think I am.
Though I am noticing the arrival of the autumn chill is bringing colds to the masses here. The number of face masks I see in the streets is becoming increasingly common. It is strange to think how some aspects of life can be so normal, so, mundane, so everyday, in one country. And yet, in another country such a habit would be seen to be completely bizarre. I just cannot imagine any English person wearing a face mask in the street. But, yet, thinking about it objectively it makes so much sense! Such a simple method to stop germs spreading is I am sure, one of the most effective.
Of course people get ill in Japan. And although they have a very good method to reduce their catching of a germ – once they`ve got it, in my view, they`re going about it in a bloody stupid way to get rid of it.
The Japanese working culture – the underlying basis of so many of the cultural differences between Japan, and EVERYWHERE else, is once again the reason. People who are ill in Japan struggle into work. No matter how ill they are. Well obviously not if they`re on their deathbed. But I`ve seen teachers turn up for school definitely looking a little green, weak and in general not fit for work. How they thought that they could work effectively is beyond me. But, again, perhaps that is not the point. The point is to show your face, show your dedication to the group despite feeling so bad. It must look good. Though not resting ain`t going to do anything to speed your recovery. Watanabe-sensei turned up to work in a bad state yesterday. But, I could tell he did have a sort of respect from the other teachers from making it to the office.
Watanabe-sensei is one of the good guys. He is a genki teacher. He runs the basketball team with a lot of dedication and enthusiasm. He sacrifices a lot of his out-of-school time for them. He takes his 20 day holiday to go to the hospital (I was told he had taken nenkyu. I was about to ask where he was going on holiday. Later I found out he had used it for going to the hospital! Typical Japanese that!)
This dedication to the team, company, community must have such a strong pulling factor on the Japanese that I can`t even comprehend the scale. It makes people work so hard. So late. However, they feel. Am I a weaker human than them for looking after my personal interests and feelings? I feel like it sometimes. But, maybe I am staying more healthy my way, looking after myself. I like to think I am.
Monday, 20 October 2008
Into the Inaka
The Inaka is the countryside of Japan - rural Japan. It exists all over the country in the mountainous interior I expect. But also definitely present in Ibaraki - outside of the main towns. Most of Ibaraki lies upon the flat Kanto plain so unlike those interior prefectures Ibaraki`s inaka landscape is the rice fields - many, many, many rice fields stretching across the land. I had not appreciated this aspect of Ibaraki existed at all at first. On finding out I would be living in Hitachi I assumed all of Ibaraki to be much of the same - urban areas of industrial development maerging into each other to cover the whole prefectural area. (As it goes Hitachi is a much nicer town than just an area of industry - although lacking in a significant town centre which is my particular little gripe).
But, Hitachi isn`t the norm here - Hitachi is one of the few big urban centres, like Mito and Tskuba. Much of Ibaraki is small towns, smaller towns - and TINY, insignificant little habitations (if that is even a word).
And JETs get placed in places like this. I feel incredulous to imagine this, particularly after my visit to the Inaka this weekend.
Daigo is a town in northwest Ibaraki. Fukuroda (town?) is nearby. It is hard to work out what counts as separate settlements in Japan as things tend to be rather spread. The North West of this prefecture is lovely. In the mountains, which are beautiful to see, with the leaves just beginning to turn different into their varying colours of red and orange and brown. Just lovely. But, to live here Would. Be. Damn. Hard. Typically, in these small towns only one JET is placed. So, for starters there are no foreigners friends here to introduce to the town and their life. Secondly, the youth of 21 + age tends to leave these types of areas as whenever they can. I hear the Ibaraki JETs from these towns often complain that the population of their town is only young children and the elderly. So, even if you can speak Japanese it would seem to be a near impossible task to make any friends of your own age. So, it might be that you become reliant on the other JETs elsewhere in Ibaraki for a social life/ sanity maintenance through human interaction. But, then there is the issue of transport. These inaka towns have bad transport connections. Infrequent trains, the last train which stops at 8 o`clock in the evening. And that`s even if you have a train station. JETs live in towns which don`t. I honestly don`t know how these people are staying sane. I certainly feel very lucky to be placed in Hitachi considering that I could have been rural.
Aspiring JETs do not think about these realities when applying. With a view of rural Japan as living in a Japanese styled house atop of a mountain perhaps with a stream running down, and a temple next door. What a fairytale. And how lucky I was that I did not request a rural placement. (Though nor did Daigo-based Tina who had asked for city. JET is pot-luck, in every aspect).
To live in the Inaka is certainly a different experience from the one I am having. And perhaps it is one of those where the rewards and positive aspects of living in the place come much later on in the year – through the slow development of relationships with the people in your town. I have heard from an ALT living in a small community that she is looked after by everybody in her town – because obviously everybody knows her. So, that may be a positive. (But even I stand out in my big town!).
But it`s the day to day aspect which is problematic for me. To not be able to go out with friends because you cannot go home after 7 pm. To have no supermarket in your town. (Tina eats from the combini everyday). To have no restaurants in your town. (When we visited Daigo we were looking for a restaurant to eat at 7.30 pm. My mouth dropped open in shock to hear the man say that it would be difficult to find a restaurant open at THIS time of night!!). It is like a different world, the countryside of Japan – is English countryside as remote, and out-there as this?? I`m not so sure.
We were starving, and after driving around in car full of hungry JETs I was thinking that the combini was our only option. There was a the whole issue of the last train to contend with so some people didn`t get any supper that night. For, those of us who were staying in the hotel we did eventually find one open okonomiyake restaurant. Of course, full of people (being the only one open in the town at this late hour of 8pm). Thwarted, we were there, because too many of us, and they couldn’t possibly deal with us as it was just TOO LATE.
Evetually we did find a place. Moody and hungry we crowded in and eventually got fed. I was certainly frustrated with the Inaka life. Lovely to visit, beautiful mountains, fantastic onsen, waterfall. But, what a nightmare to live there!! I was happy to come back to my less pretty, urban, industrial, sprawling town.
But, Hitachi isn`t the norm here - Hitachi is one of the few big urban centres, like Mito and Tskuba. Much of Ibaraki is small towns, smaller towns - and TINY, insignificant little habitations (if that is even a word).
And JETs get placed in places like this. I feel incredulous to imagine this, particularly after my visit to the Inaka this weekend.
Daigo is a town in northwest Ibaraki. Fukuroda (town?) is nearby. It is hard to work out what counts as separate settlements in Japan as things tend to be rather spread. The North West of this prefecture is lovely. In the mountains, which are beautiful to see, with the leaves just beginning to turn different into their varying colours of red and orange and brown. Just lovely. But, to live here Would. Be. Damn. Hard. Typically, in these small towns only one JET is placed. So, for starters there are no foreigners friends here to introduce to the town and their life. Secondly, the youth of 21 + age tends to leave these types of areas as whenever they can. I hear the Ibaraki JETs from these towns often complain that the population of their town is only young children and the elderly. So, even if you can speak Japanese it would seem to be a near impossible task to make any friends of your own age. So, it might be that you become reliant on the other JETs elsewhere in Ibaraki for a social life/ sanity maintenance through human interaction. But, then there is the issue of transport. These inaka towns have bad transport connections. Infrequent trains, the last train which stops at 8 o`clock in the evening. And that`s even if you have a train station. JETs live in towns which don`t. I honestly don`t know how these people are staying sane. I certainly feel very lucky to be placed in Hitachi considering that I could have been rural.
Aspiring JETs do not think about these realities when applying. With a view of rural Japan as living in a Japanese styled house atop of a mountain perhaps with a stream running down, and a temple next door. What a fairytale. And how lucky I was that I did not request a rural placement. (Though nor did Daigo-based Tina who had asked for city. JET is pot-luck, in every aspect).
To live in the Inaka is certainly a different experience from the one I am having. And perhaps it is one of those where the rewards and positive aspects of living in the place come much later on in the year – through the slow development of relationships with the people in your town. I have heard from an ALT living in a small community that she is looked after by everybody in her town – because obviously everybody knows her. So, that may be a positive. (But even I stand out in my big town!).
But it`s the day to day aspect which is problematic for me. To not be able to go out with friends because you cannot go home after 7 pm. To have no supermarket in your town. (Tina eats from the combini everyday). To have no restaurants in your town. (When we visited Daigo we were looking for a restaurant to eat at 7.30 pm. My mouth dropped open in shock to hear the man say that it would be difficult to find a restaurant open at THIS time of night!!). It is like a different world, the countryside of Japan – is English countryside as remote, and out-there as this?? I`m not so sure.
We were starving, and after driving around in car full of hungry JETs I was thinking that the combini was our only option. There was a the whole issue of the last train to contend with so some people didn`t get any supper that night. For, those of us who were staying in the hotel we did eventually find one open okonomiyake restaurant. Of course, full of people (being the only one open in the town at this late hour of 8pm). Thwarted, we were there, because too many of us, and they couldn’t possibly deal with us as it was just TOO LATE.
Evetually we did find a place. Moody and hungry we crowded in and eventually got fed. I was certainly frustrated with the Inaka life. Lovely to visit, beautiful mountains, fantastic onsen, waterfall. But, what a nightmare to live there!! I was happy to come back to my less pretty, urban, industrial, sprawling town.
Pickin` Fruit
People do take time off here though (on the national holidays - because that`s the only legitimate way of taking a holiday without appearing weak/ not working for the team/ whatever on earth the reason is that Japanese people never take all of their allotted holiday time).
No, of course not only then, I am (slightly) exaggerating.
And the funny little activities I have done here are worth writing about because it`s not a standard thing to go and pick fruit in autumn - yet I have done it twice in nearly as many weeks!!
It`s a NICE experience. The best word for it. You go along (to an out-of-town establishment), everything is very gentle and friendly. You pay your money, you walk a few steps, and their you are, amoung the fruit trees. Nothing to hardcore, or too over exerting (because remember, this is a fun activity so everything is very safe, signposted and near). I go fruit picking when people have suggested it because I like to walk around in a bit of greenery for once in a while and feel the grass under my feet (a rare lost experience in the Japanese summer I have experienced).
Of course, you have to pay for this fun experience. Of course you do, to enter, and then you pay for what you pick.
Fruit is at a premium in Japan (and vegetables for that matter). It`s so expensive. And definitely makes you appreciate it MUCH more. I would never dream of letting an apple go bad. It is a real treat for me to have an apple in Japan and I savour it definitely. I think they must be a lot sweeter in Japan.
And the nashi pears, - well, they`re in a league of their own. These pears cost upwards of 1 pound fifty EACH. Definitely for special occassions only. If you ate 5 fruit and veg a day you`d be bankrupt in Japan, I`m sure.
No, of course not only then, I am (slightly) exaggerating.
And the funny little activities I have done here are worth writing about because it`s not a standard thing to go and pick fruit in autumn - yet I have done it twice in nearly as many weeks!!
It`s a NICE experience. The best word for it. You go along (to an out-of-town establishment), everything is very gentle and friendly. You pay your money, you walk a few steps, and their you are, amoung the fruit trees. Nothing to hardcore, or too over exerting (because remember, this is a fun activity so everything is very safe, signposted and near). I go fruit picking when people have suggested it because I like to walk around in a bit of greenery for once in a while and feel the grass under my feet (a rare lost experience in the Japanese summer I have experienced).
Of course, you have to pay for this fun experience. Of course you do, to enter, and then you pay for what you pick.
Fruit is at a premium in Japan (and vegetables for that matter). It`s so expensive. And definitely makes you appreciate it MUCH more. I would never dream of letting an apple go bad. It is a real treat for me to have an apple in Japan and I savour it definitely. I think they must be a lot sweeter in Japan.
And the nashi pears, - well, they`re in a league of their own. These pears cost upwards of 1 pound fifty EACH. Definitely for special occassions only. If you ate 5 fruit and veg a day you`d be bankrupt in Japan, I`m sure.
Sunday, 19 October 2008
Leisure
It`s interesting to think about the recognized enjoyable activities to do in Japan.
Enjoyable activities have to be obviously enjoyable in Japan. It`s something I notice again and again. It`s something that frustrates me at times, but now I am feeling mild about it and I`ll just describe it.
I have a theory as to why aswell: In Japan everybody works hard, hard, hard. Five days a week, 6 days a week, 7 days a week from early in the morning to late into the evening. So, of course when they`re not working, they really have to be “not working”. They have to be doing something obviously fun. They have to be told that their having fun, by doing a recognized “fun activity”. It`s like a world of extremes. The office enkai is an example. Getting drunk is needed – it has to be extreme. The fun can`t be mild. Because the work is not mild. The work is extreme. (Of course people like to get drunk all over the world). Why the extremes? Why can`t you have a working day where you have time for a balance. Where, for example, you have time to do an activity you enjoy on a regular basis for example.
The leisure time of the Japanese takes up so much of my thinking time as I try to understand how it is like it is. I love being in parks as part of my leisure time, and Japanese parks are instantly interesting to me aswell. In Japan, in my experience, it is rare that I have come across just a park. There is always an amusement park attached to it (and a zoo in the case of Hitachi Kamine park). Why is this? Because just a park, that you can walk around in, is just not obviously fun enough.
Japanese is so full of contrasts however. Many people have the view of the zen Buddhist gardens of Japan. And this is an aspect of Japan that does exist. There are beautiful Japanese gardens. (Though I haven`t actually been to one yet – though I`m convinced they do exist – they must!).
There must be that contemplatative side of the Japanese people somewhere: where they can appreciate their surroundings quietly, and enjoy it. Afterall, I think the Zen Buddhist tradition with all the meditative customs that come with that originated here in Japan.
But, this side of Japanese society it is not obviously present. And it is not something that I have seen in my time here. In my experience to visit an old temple is a purely superficial experience. Everybody traipses along the designated tourist route to see the sights of the day – whatever they maybe. – a temple building, a garden, a waterfall, a mountain, a garden. They look like commuters. All in a line. There is no spontaneity, there is no extra interest. To me, it seems like they visit these places because they know that this is an enjoyable thing to do. They walk to the designated viewing platform for the subject today – and photograph it. They don`t experience it. They don`t have time. After the photo they move on, following the line of people along the special route, to the next object of interest.
Of course, this aspect of tourism does exist everywhere, and I hate it everywhere. But, it`s striking to me here.
Where is the deeper meaning for the Japanese people in their lives? Is it their family? If it is, they have a strange way of showing it in my view, because they don`t hardly spend any time with their family because they`re at work all the bloody time!!
So perhaps it is their work. Perhaps working towards the common goal of their company is the aspect of their lives with the most meaning to them.
How people spend their leisure does have some kind of reflection on what people value their lives and perhaps the fact that Japanese people take such few holidays away from work, for this leisure time is the most notable fact here!
Enjoyable activities have to be obviously enjoyable in Japan. It`s something I notice again and again. It`s something that frustrates me at times, but now I am feeling mild about it and I`ll just describe it.
I have a theory as to why aswell: In Japan everybody works hard, hard, hard. Five days a week, 6 days a week, 7 days a week from early in the morning to late into the evening. So, of course when they`re not working, they really have to be “not working”. They have to be doing something obviously fun. They have to be told that their having fun, by doing a recognized “fun activity”. It`s like a world of extremes. The office enkai is an example. Getting drunk is needed – it has to be extreme. The fun can`t be mild. Because the work is not mild. The work is extreme. (Of course people like to get drunk all over the world). Why the extremes? Why can`t you have a working day where you have time for a balance. Where, for example, you have time to do an activity you enjoy on a regular basis for example.
The leisure time of the Japanese takes up so much of my thinking time as I try to understand how it is like it is. I love being in parks as part of my leisure time, and Japanese parks are instantly interesting to me aswell. In Japan, in my experience, it is rare that I have come across just a park. There is always an amusement park attached to it (and a zoo in the case of Hitachi Kamine park). Why is this? Because just a park, that you can walk around in, is just not obviously fun enough.
Japanese is so full of contrasts however. Many people have the view of the zen Buddhist gardens of Japan. And this is an aspect of Japan that does exist. There are beautiful Japanese gardens. (Though I haven`t actually been to one yet – though I`m convinced they do exist – they must!).
There must be that contemplatative side of the Japanese people somewhere: where they can appreciate their surroundings quietly, and enjoy it. Afterall, I think the Zen Buddhist tradition with all the meditative customs that come with that originated here in Japan.
But, this side of Japanese society it is not obviously present. And it is not something that I have seen in my time here. In my experience to visit an old temple is a purely superficial experience. Everybody traipses along the designated tourist route to see the sights of the day – whatever they maybe. – a temple building, a garden, a waterfall, a mountain, a garden. They look like commuters. All in a line. There is no spontaneity, there is no extra interest. To me, it seems like they visit these places because they know that this is an enjoyable thing to do. They walk to the designated viewing platform for the subject today – and photograph it. They don`t experience it. They don`t have time. After the photo they move on, following the line of people along the special route, to the next object of interest.
Of course, this aspect of tourism does exist everywhere, and I hate it everywhere. But, it`s striking to me here.
Where is the deeper meaning for the Japanese people in their lives? Is it their family? If it is, they have a strange way of showing it in my view, because they don`t hardly spend any time with their family because they`re at work all the bloody time!!
So perhaps it is their work. Perhaps working towards the common goal of their company is the aspect of their lives with the most meaning to them.
How people spend their leisure does have some kind of reflection on what people value their lives and perhaps the fact that Japanese people take such few holidays away from work, for this leisure time is the most notable fact here!
Wednesday, 8 October 2008
Culture Vulture
One of the greatest aspects to living in a culture like Japan – where there are so many big differences, so many subtle differences, things that are unexpectedly similar, and so many things that I`m sure I will NEVER understand completely, is that I feel every day I am understanding more about the Japanese people and the complexities of this culture on an increasingly deep level.
I`m sure this is inevitable, as the result of simply just living in another country but I still find it amazing to feel it happen. Of course, this understanding is helped wildly much by talking to my J.T.Es openly about what I find weird - (having JTEs with whom I can chat so openly WITH, massively helps too!), talking to my Japanese friends and also other international people who have lived here longer than me.
I really knew nothing when I came here. Only the tourist stereotypes of this country. And the tourists know NOTHING.
The sense of building community, the group spirit, the team spirit is HUGELY important here. I had read about this aspect of asian culture before I came – the needs of the group being more important that those of the individual. But, of course you never truly understand something like this unless you live and work in that culture. Why do the Japanese work such ridiculous hours? It is to be part of the group. Spending such a long time with your work collegues inevitably means that you bond with them. And that`s a good thing – to be working together for the good of your company/ organization. The sense of good community in Taga`s staffroom is certainly something that I feel. When everybody stays late after their contracted hours to do so, the atmosphere is friendly and relaxed in this room. When everybody is aware that everybody else stays to help, it is a significant thing. It is a very significant thing to know that you and your work collegues together are making an effort by staying late to make your cause/ your company better. And I can understand that. (Though not to such an extent that I am willing to do it myself!! And perhaps that`s the most significant point here, me with my individualist western ways…).
People need time to bond – and this does happen as a result of this work practice. I`ll be very interested to know what it is like to work in an English workplace when I return to England.
Is that bond really worth what they sacrifice? though is of course, the important question.
I`m sure this is inevitable, as the result of simply just living in another country but I still find it amazing to feel it happen. Of course, this understanding is helped wildly much by talking to my J.T.Es openly about what I find weird - (having JTEs with whom I can chat so openly WITH, massively helps too!), talking to my Japanese friends and also other international people who have lived here longer than me.
I really knew nothing when I came here. Only the tourist stereotypes of this country. And the tourists know NOTHING.
The sense of building community, the group spirit, the team spirit is HUGELY important here. I had read about this aspect of asian culture before I came – the needs of the group being more important that those of the individual. But, of course you never truly understand something like this unless you live and work in that culture. Why do the Japanese work such ridiculous hours? It is to be part of the group. Spending such a long time with your work collegues inevitably means that you bond with them. And that`s a good thing – to be working together for the good of your company/ organization. The sense of good community in Taga`s staffroom is certainly something that I feel. When everybody stays late after their contracted hours to do so, the atmosphere is friendly and relaxed in this room. When everybody is aware that everybody else stays to help, it is a significant thing. It is a very significant thing to know that you and your work collegues together are making an effort by staying late to make your cause/ your company better. And I can understand that. (Though not to such an extent that I am willing to do it myself!! And perhaps that`s the most significant point here, me with my individualist western ways…).
People need time to bond – and this does happen as a result of this work practice. I`ll be very interested to know what it is like to work in an English workplace when I return to England.
Is that bond really worth what they sacrifice? though is of course, the important question.
My Community
I am having a fantastic time in Japan all in all.
Going, on your own, to live in a foreign country is meant to be hard. Going to live in a foreign country where you can only speak 3 words of the local language, where the language is COMPLETELY unrelated to your own, where you cannot read the script, by rights ought to make the experience that I am having near impossible, and well, a downright awful. Sitting in my flat in a pit of misunderstanding, unable to communicate with other human beings (the most significant aspect of my life I think). And it could have been that my time in Japan WAS like this.
But, it`s not. And the reason is a social group. I arrived in Hitachi to find two other JETs in my town. One of these JETs had been living here for two years previously and therefore has a group of friends here, and I think that base fact, has made the biggest difference to my experience in Japan.
Being here for such a time enables you to really become part of the community. The community of internationals is of course an important primary group of people for any foreigner in Japan. Principally because there aren`t many of you! You stare at each other in the street because you are so shocked to see a non-Asian face. Your job is also a likely source of common ground between you because I think it is fair to say that most foreigners I`ve encountered are English teachers – or at least used to be English teachers. So, on arriving in Hitachi I easily became part of the gaijin crowd here. We go out for meals. Certain restaurants here are well-known popular gaijin haunts, and we become regulars. It`s a nice feeling, ALREADY, to be able to go to the places – with people who are such great friends with owners. The sense of community I have by being here is the greatest, most unexpected aspect of my life here as a foreigner in Japan, but, definitely the best thing. The community which surrounds the Gyouza bar is wicked. The owners are extensive (size-wise!) Japanese men who obviously love to eat Gyouza! Every so often they have parties – complete with LOTS of food, and LOTS of drink. When I first arrived they had a beach party. And coming up is the camping party in NW Ibaraki.
But, equally and perhaps more important than the international community here is the Japanese part of our group. When we go out we are typically half and half Japanese and foreigners. Some of the Japanese people learn English with one of the English teachers who has been out here for 10 years now, so I feel very lucky that I can communicate with people like Maya and Tomoko who are FANTASTIC.
It was great to get to know some of the girls as I had been feeling slightly male dominated. But, Tomoko and I tried flamenco classes together, and now Maya and I do Yoga together every week. It is so good to go with a friend – and more than I ever expected for my first months here.
Yesterday evening we went to Yoga, and then Maya had suggested we went to eat at a café that she knew. It was a wicked little place. Right on the ocean-front with the waves crashing very loudly next to us. And tiny inside. Full, though. With people informally playing live guitar music and singing – Japanese songs, and then for my benefit – the Beatles. We all joined in, there were instruments for everyone - I had such a great evening – with this chilled out bunch of Japanese people – in a tiny café in the dark, by the ocean. SO, SO, COOL.
Going, on your own, to live in a foreign country is meant to be hard. Going to live in a foreign country where you can only speak 3 words of the local language, where the language is COMPLETELY unrelated to your own, where you cannot read the script, by rights ought to make the experience that I am having near impossible, and well, a downright awful. Sitting in my flat in a pit of misunderstanding, unable to communicate with other human beings (the most significant aspect of my life I think). And it could have been that my time in Japan WAS like this.
But, it`s not. And the reason is a social group. I arrived in Hitachi to find two other JETs in my town. One of these JETs had been living here for two years previously and therefore has a group of friends here, and I think that base fact, has made the biggest difference to my experience in Japan.
Being here for such a time enables you to really become part of the community. The community of internationals is of course an important primary group of people for any foreigner in Japan. Principally because there aren`t many of you! You stare at each other in the street because you are so shocked to see a non-Asian face. Your job is also a likely source of common ground between you because I think it is fair to say that most foreigners I`ve encountered are English teachers – or at least used to be English teachers. So, on arriving in Hitachi I easily became part of the gaijin crowd here. We go out for meals. Certain restaurants here are well-known popular gaijin haunts, and we become regulars. It`s a nice feeling, ALREADY, to be able to go to the places – with people who are such great friends with owners. The sense of community I have by being here is the greatest, most unexpected aspect of my life here as a foreigner in Japan, but, definitely the best thing. The community which surrounds the Gyouza bar is wicked. The owners are extensive (size-wise!) Japanese men who obviously love to eat Gyouza! Every so often they have parties – complete with LOTS of food, and LOTS of drink. When I first arrived they had a beach party. And coming up is the camping party in NW Ibaraki.
But, equally and perhaps more important than the international community here is the Japanese part of our group. When we go out we are typically half and half Japanese and foreigners. Some of the Japanese people learn English with one of the English teachers who has been out here for 10 years now, so I feel very lucky that I can communicate with people like Maya and Tomoko who are FANTASTIC.
It was great to get to know some of the girls as I had been feeling slightly male dominated. But, Tomoko and I tried flamenco classes together, and now Maya and I do Yoga together every week. It is so good to go with a friend – and more than I ever expected for my first months here.
Yesterday evening we went to Yoga, and then Maya had suggested we went to eat at a café that she knew. It was a wicked little place. Right on the ocean-front with the waves crashing very loudly next to us. And tiny inside. Full, though. With people informally playing live guitar music and singing – Japanese songs, and then for my benefit – the Beatles. We all joined in, there were instruments for everyone - I had such a great evening – with this chilled out bunch of Japanese people – in a tiny café in the dark, by the ocean. SO, SO, COOL.
Natural Disasters in Japan
Japan is obviously known for it`s natural disasters but it does surprise me the differing levels of seriousness with which they take happenings/ impending happenings.
Haven`t experienced many earthquakes in recent weeks, but there was a few in my first month here. Of course I remember the first one. I was sitting in the audience of an awards ceremony at a speech contest. It happened. A significant rumble. But, nobody even flinched! Or looked around, or anything!
Typhoons are a different story. They are forecast, and of course 99.99% of the population that live in this country CAN understand Japanese (…that would make sense …) and can therefore prepare for such an event when they hear the forecast. I tend to get told by my teachers at school on the morning of the day it is due to make landfall near Hitachi.
Hey-ho. So far, I have been told of two impending typhoon arrivals however both changed direction and headed back off into the Pacific I assume, because they certainly didn`t reach me! So, I acknowledge that I haven`t yet experienced the full force of a typhoon. However, it does seem that they are perhaps a LITTLE O.T.T. about typhoons. I planned to visit Nikko the day a typhoon was due. My teachers were completely taken aback in shock, that I was not planning to lock myself in my apartment and bring in extra food supplies to ride out the storm. Many other ALTs were put off going to Nikko because of a similar reaction from all of their teachers.
As it goes, I went anyway. And had a fantastic day. The typhoon made a gracious exit from the Japanese mainland, took a bow and a turn, and swept off into the Pacific. Leaving Nikko marvellous weather I might add.
Haven`t experienced many earthquakes in recent weeks, but there was a few in my first month here. Of course I remember the first one. I was sitting in the audience of an awards ceremony at a speech contest. It happened. A significant rumble. But, nobody even flinched! Or looked around, or anything!
Typhoons are a different story. They are forecast, and of course 99.99% of the population that live in this country CAN understand Japanese (…that would make sense …) and can therefore prepare for such an event when they hear the forecast. I tend to get told by my teachers at school on the morning of the day it is due to make landfall near Hitachi.
Hey-ho. So far, I have been told of two impending typhoon arrivals however both changed direction and headed back off into the Pacific I assume, because they certainly didn`t reach me! So, I acknowledge that I haven`t yet experienced the full force of a typhoon. However, it does seem that they are perhaps a LITTLE O.T.T. about typhoons. I planned to visit Nikko the day a typhoon was due. My teachers were completely taken aback in shock, that I was not planning to lock myself in my apartment and bring in extra food supplies to ride out the storm. Many other ALTs were put off going to Nikko because of a similar reaction from all of their teachers.
As it goes, I went anyway. And had a fantastic day. The typhoon made a gracious exit from the Japanese mainland, took a bow and a turn, and swept off into the Pacific. Leaving Nikko marvellous weather I might add.
Tuesday, 26 August 2008
Disaster from Week 2
OK, so, - “funny” story – thought I should share: …
After sitting through a good long talk on all the nasty, horrid, disgusting bugs that I could meet in my flat, at the Ibaraki JET orientation I was propelled into taking intensive preventative measures to ensure that I would not have to meet some of these minging creatures of nature (sure I’ve gone on about this far too much now).
Ventilation, ventilation, ventilation is what was drummed into us.
SO, the next day, I left ALL my down-to-the-floor windows wide open and went out with my supervisor for the day with a nice big smug feeling about my great flat and how clean and airy it was.
… how the mighty fall …
Quote from the Ibaraki orientation handbook regarding tatami mats: “whatever you do, DON’T spill liquids on them”.
So, … as it goes … there was a typhoon late yesterday afternoon…
Well, it felt like a fucking typhoon to me, as I was racing across the car park from the supermarket to the car with my supervisor in this downpour as the thunder crashed directly overhead and giant lighting bolts cut down the sky.
Apparantly though, it wasn’t a typhoon , - it’s not typhoon season yet. That’s to look forward to for September. Wahoo!
My supervisor thought it would perhaps be a good idea to check on my flat. So, half an hour drive over to my place in the storm. … which was showing no sign of letting up yet as I was stuck in the car doorway, for about a minute, pissing about frenziedly trying to open a complicated Japanese umbrella. Arghargh!
Dashed up the steps to the flat and thrust open the door. There were VERY significant pools of water over all the floor of the flat, all on the tatami flooring. Arghargh!
shitshitshitshitshitshitshitshitshitshitshitshitshit were I think my words at the time when I was rushing round my soaked apartment slamming shut all the wide open windows in the face of the still-raging storm, chucking towels everywhere.
Now … it’s the next day … and my floor, bed, books, sofa, electronic devices, pants etc are drying well in the daytime heat.!
Apparently, according to my supervisor and vice-principle this level of storm was quite unusual, … and unexpected.
But … funnily enough … earlier that day, when I was walking along the seaside with my superviso,r we strode past a little old Japanese woman bent over her little old-woman shopping trolley/ standing device.
She reached out and tapped my supervisor on the shoulder and motioned for us to come back. Then she pointed at the blue-sky and at one small, faint white cloud in the distance and said in her little-old-woman voice – “Ah, the storm is coming”. I had thought NOTHING of it.
After sitting through a good long talk on all the nasty, horrid, disgusting bugs that I could meet in my flat, at the Ibaraki JET orientation I was propelled into taking intensive preventative measures to ensure that I would not have to meet some of these minging creatures of nature (sure I’ve gone on about this far too much now).
Ventilation, ventilation, ventilation is what was drummed into us.
SO, the next day, I left ALL my down-to-the-floor windows wide open and went out with my supervisor for the day with a nice big smug feeling about my great flat and how clean and airy it was.
… how the mighty fall …
Quote from the Ibaraki orientation handbook regarding tatami mats: “whatever you do, DON’T spill liquids on them”.
So, … as it goes … there was a typhoon late yesterday afternoon…
Well, it felt like a fucking typhoon to me, as I was racing across the car park from the supermarket to the car with my supervisor in this downpour as the thunder crashed directly overhead and giant lighting bolts cut down the sky.
Apparantly though, it wasn’t a typhoon , - it’s not typhoon season yet. That’s to look forward to for September. Wahoo!
My supervisor thought it would perhaps be a good idea to check on my flat. So, half an hour drive over to my place in the storm. … which was showing no sign of letting up yet as I was stuck in the car doorway, for about a minute, pissing about frenziedly trying to open a complicated Japanese umbrella. Arghargh!
Dashed up the steps to the flat and thrust open the door. There were VERY significant pools of water over all the floor of the flat, all on the tatami flooring. Arghargh!
shitshitshitshitshitshitshitshitshitshitshitshitshit were I think my words at the time when I was rushing round my soaked apartment slamming shut all the wide open windows in the face of the still-raging storm, chucking towels everywhere.
Now … it’s the next day … and my floor, bed, books, sofa, electronic devices, pants etc are drying well in the daytime heat.!
Apparently, according to my supervisor and vice-principle this level of storm was quite unusual, … and unexpected.
But … funnily enough … earlier that day, when I was walking along the seaside with my superviso,r we strode past a little old Japanese woman bent over her little old-woman shopping trolley/ standing device.
She reached out and tapped my supervisor on the shoulder and motioned for us to come back. Then she pointed at the blue-sky and at one small, faint white cloud in the distance and said in her little-old-woman voice – “Ah, the storm is coming”. I had thought NOTHING of it.
Comfy in Japan
I need reflection time! This is evident because this is the first time I have been able to post a blog ... but yet I am now in my fourth week in Japan!
In a way it's too late to try to recall my initial feelings about being here in Japan. I was just so busy, so tired, so without internet, so without time to sit down and write a blog. I've realised that I don't like not having no time to sit and think about what I have experienced.
Especially, when there is SO MUCH that I have experienced here. The first weeks here have been a complete whirlwind. I really need time like now to just sit, and think, and reflect, and write. Really therapeutic. It's hard to strike the right balance.
It is great. The reason I have been so busy is because of the ready-made social life that comes with being a JET. Not only discovering Ibaraki with IAJET, but also the community here in Hitachi. There are other 20 something ALTs here, not only JET but others, sister city people, old JETs, they meet each other sometimes through friends of friends, sometimes at G bros the restaurant popular with foreigners. I met a big lot of them at the beach party. I feel grateful to the 3rd year ALT here for inviting me to these events - it's really nice to be part of the social network here.
In a way it's too late to try to recall my initial feelings about being here in Japan. I was just so busy, so tired, so without internet, so without time to sit down and write a blog. I've realised that I don't like not having no time to sit and think about what I have experienced.
Especially, when there is SO MUCH that I have experienced here. The first weeks here have been a complete whirlwind. I really need time like now to just sit, and think, and reflect, and write. Really therapeutic. It's hard to strike the right balance.
It is great. The reason I have been so busy is because of the ready-made social life that comes with being a JET. Not only discovering Ibaraki with IAJET, but also the community here in Hitachi. There are other 20 something ALTs here, not only JET but others, sister city people, old JETs, they meet each other sometimes through friends of friends, sometimes at G bros the restaurant popular with foreigners. I met a big lot of them at the beach party. I feel grateful to the 3rd year ALT here for inviting me to these events - it's really nice to be part of the social network here.
Wednesday, 9 July 2008
1 Month Countdown
It's all getting rather real. I'm back from Albania, crash landed into Summerholme on monday morning and launched straight off to the JET orientation in London for 2 days.
From being an occasional presence in my thoughts, living in Japan for one year is making it's presence known in the forefront of my mind all the time now. It's getting closer. I slightly freak out when I think about it sometimes. What concerns me to a higher level is not living in Japan (though not being able to read the written script is obviously a concerning issue!) but the fact I will be living alone. I hope I'll manage to stay sane. I generally need other people to stay sane in my experience.
Sometimes I think it is my personal challenge to get through this next year. And then other times I remind myself. It is more than that. I did, do want to go to Japan. I had, have lots of positive reasons for going to live in such a crazy country. That it is so different from the UK for one.
I’ll be living in Hitachi City. It has to be said, I am not phenomenally optimistic about having Hitachi as a home town. You wouldn’t pick the home of electronics giant, Hitachi, in Japan’s industrial heartland as first choice. But, I didn’t make choices. I was open. And I will go with an open mind. It’s better to be positively surprised by aspects of Hitachi than the other way around.
Gaaa! It’s coming!
From being an occasional presence in my thoughts, living in Japan for one year is making it's presence known in the forefront of my mind all the time now. It's getting closer. I slightly freak out when I think about it sometimes. What concerns me to a higher level is not living in Japan (though not being able to read the written script is obviously a concerning issue!) but the fact I will be living alone. I hope I'll manage to stay sane. I generally need other people to stay sane in my experience.
Sometimes I think it is my personal challenge to get through this next year. And then other times I remind myself. It is more than that. I did, do want to go to Japan. I had, have lots of positive reasons for going to live in such a crazy country. That it is so different from the UK for one.
I’ll be living in Hitachi City. It has to be said, I am not phenomenally optimistic about having Hitachi as a home town. You wouldn’t pick the home of electronics giant, Hitachi, in Japan’s industrial heartland as first choice. But, I didn’t make choices. I was open. And I will go with an open mind. It’s better to be positively surprised by aspects of Hitachi than the other way around.
Gaaa! It’s coming!
Tuesday, 27 May 2008
Ibaraki Prefecture
Ibaraki prefecture .... that's the extent of my information re my life in 2008/9. And I didn't know where the hell that was either. The anticipation of thinking about next year is the exciting thing. In fact it's been continuous anticipation. I wonder when there is no more question mark about my location, house and workplace what I will feel - when I am there, installed in my new place.
But for now - just Ibaraki prefecture. I jumped to the map page of the General Information Handbook. Although I made no preference my spirits dipped the tiniest bit. In the Kanto Plain - close (relatively to Tokyo). The internet told more; it seemed very developed, industrialised, and densely populated. Secret hopings that I hadn't properly realised that I had, had disappeared. It was unlikely that I'd be living in beautiful hilltop village with a temple.
I hadn't realised I'd be so close to Tokyo.
But I don't really know much about my place. I'm curious to know more.
I really have plenty to get through now though - the G.I.H was slightly overwhelming! It's a lot to take in ... , that I'm going to be living, properly independently, for the first time in my life ....... in Japan!
But for now - just Ibaraki prefecture. I jumped to the map page of the General Information Handbook. Although I made no preference my spirits dipped the tiniest bit. In the Kanto Plain - close (relatively to Tokyo). The internet told more; it seemed very developed, industrialised, and densely populated. Secret hopings that I hadn't properly realised that I had, had disappeared. It was unlikely that I'd be living in beautiful hilltop village with a temple.
I hadn't realised I'd be so close to Tokyo.
But I don't really know much about my place. I'm curious to know more.
I really have plenty to get through now though - the G.I.H was slightly overwhelming! It's a lot to take in ... , that I'm going to be living, properly independently, for the first time in my life ....... in Japan!
To Japan
Having just done my now daily check of the JET forums and groups on the internet I am not satisfied. Again! I am reduced to this information scavenging as a result of the JET Desk at the UK Embassy of Japan. Obsessively waiting is the adverb that is absolutely inextricably linked to JET and all my feelings towards it.
I wait to find out if I have an interview, I wait to find out if I got in, I wait to find out the region I'm placed in, I wait to find out where I get placed, (I wait to here from the person I take over from presumably...). All this drawn out from November until mid-MAY.
Some might say I am pre-occupied to an obsessional level. But, it's the waiting, it's all the waiting. Pre-occupation with knowing, but not knowing too much. And knowledge from official sources only.
And then there's the FORMS. Increasing my paranoia about little small details, ... and the postal service.
It's all had an effect on my internet scavenging for information. I go so far and then stop - I can't possibly get information from some non-proper JET source!
I wait to find out if I have an interview, I wait to find out if I got in, I wait to find out the region I'm placed in, I wait to find out where I get placed, (I wait to here from the person I take over from presumably...). All this drawn out from November until mid-MAY.
Some might say I am pre-occupied to an obsessional level. But, it's the waiting, it's all the waiting. Pre-occupation with knowing, but not knowing too much. And knowledge from official sources only.
And then there's the FORMS. Increasing my paranoia about little small details, ... and the postal service.
It's all had an effect on my internet scavenging for information. I go so far and then stop - I can't possibly get information from some non-proper JET source!
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