Japan Day 13

My host family stay continued into Day 13. After a wonderful breakfast, my host dad took me for another drive while the ladies cleaned up and got ready. I tried to help with the dishes, but I was ceremoniously told that Japanese men do not clean up. This traditional way of thinking, which may be interpreted as chauvinistic, is also rapidly becoming outdated as western views infiltrate Japan. Interestingly, I don't think that they see it as gender biased either. Culturally, they are coming from hundreds of years where everyone has specific jobs and roles. While women may be expected to do the cleaning, they also control the finances at home.

Anyways, Tadayuki and I went for a drive around Kamisu and visited the port again. However, as we went deeper into the industrial area of the port, I was amazed to see how foggy everything was around us. The unusual fog was easily explained when he pointed out that the refineries and electric generators at the port use cold sea water to cool the turbines. However, the cold water becomes hot and then gets flushed back into the sea. When the hot water meets the cold sea and the cold morning air, steam rises from the ocean. Except, there is enough steam to cover the entire port area.

After our drive, we returned home to pick up the ladies. We then drove to Katori City or Sawara. When we arrived at Sawara, we were entertained with music from a band floating along the river in a boat. We stopped by to have some tea along the river. We then also visited the house and a museum devoted to Ino Tadataka. Ino San created a detailed map of Japan in the 1800s by walking for over 17 years all over Japan. His map is so detailed that even satellite images of Japan superimposed over his map show just a few minor errors in latitude.

We then ate at a soba noodle shop that was opened in the 1700's. In fact, most of the buildings in Sawara maintain an old appearance and thus gets used often in Japanese samurai movies or period dramas.

We then rushed back to city hall where I bid goodbye to my host family and our group was whisked off to our next stop at Tsukuba to stay at a traditional Japanese inn or ryokan, the Tsukuban Edoya. This was a highlight finish to our time in Ibaraki. The ryokan featured tatami mat floors, futon beds, Japanese foot baths called Ashiyu, and an outdoor hot spring bath or onsen. We even had the privilege of watching a performance by the innkeeper's wife who performed a traditional peddler show that tries to encourage the sale of the popular Tsukuba Toad Grease that is believed to heal cuts and scrapes. Her performance included the use of a Japanese Katana (sword) that sliced paper into ribbons to prove its sharpness but its inability to pierce the skin covered in the fantastic Toad Grease...hilarious.

Japan Day 11

Eleven...or Ju Ichi...brought us to Hasaki Senior High. The big difference is that Senior High is non-compulsory. What does that mean? Well, in Japan, students must go to elementary school, which goes from grades 1-6, and junior high school, which is from grades 7-9. However, Senior High, which goes from grades 10-12, is not mandatory and students must take a test to get good scores in order to get into good schools. The test is a very big and competitive part of school life in Japan.

Once again, we were greeted like rockstars with a ceremony in our honor and speeches. The band played "Hooray for Hollywood" as we marched into the gym. We then proceeded to observe various classes. Hasaki High specializes in industrial and engineering studies. They still offer the standard academics of Language, Math, Sciences, History, and English in large classes of around 40 students. However, they also offer very small ratios of 6-10 students for their workshops such as metal machining, electrical engineering, etc.

However, the school day doesn't end when the bell rings. Afterschool social clubs are a big part of a student's life. We were able to participate and observe such activities such as baseball, soccer, judo, kendo, ikebana, and tea ceremony clubs.

Kendo really was impressive with the female participants shrieking at high volume and the flurry of their kendo swords struck against each other's armor.

Japan Day 10

Day 10 saw another school visit, but this time to Hasaki Daiyon Junior High School. The first obvious difference is that all junior high schools have a uniform policy. Hasaki Daiyon has the traditional black and white outfits for regular school use, but they also have an awesome baby blue shorts, sweater, and shirt outfit for PE.

During our stay, we saw a number of fine arts classes. We got a chance to do some india ink painting and play a large stringed-instrument called a koto. All Japanese schools also offer instruction of English in addition to their Japanese language. Which means that most Japanese children will be bilingual on some level.

The Junior High students also ate in their classes and cleaned the school much like their elementary counterparts. During the cleaning, I had to double check to make sure that I was on the second floor as I saw a student hanging outside the window and washing the outside of the glass. The students have a strong sense of pride and responsibility for their school and it is clear in how well they keep the campus clean.

Day 9

Woohooo! We finally get to go to a school! We kick things off with a visit to Fukashiba Elementary School in Kamisu City. Our host city group includes 16 teachers from throughout the USA and includes a person of African-American descent and several folks of mixed Caucasian background that runs the gamut of blonde, redheads, green-eyed, blue-eyed, etc. So, factor in the fact that Japan as a whole is pretty homogenious as an ethnic society, the entire experience was very much akin to being rockstars. It was bananas! Kids were surrounding us by the droves asking for our autographs. I literally signed hundreds of books, bags, folders, papers, and even a lunchbox.

Aside from the circus coming into town, there was real work to be done. We went and observed classes to see how they taught academics and handled behavior. We also got to participate in activities such as Japanese Calligraphy, computer, recess (dodgeball & double dutch), and gardening.

There are quite a few interesting differences in their schools and our American schools. First of all, coming to school is a very organized event where the kids wear the same brightly colored hat (usually a yellow baseball cap) so that they are very visible to traffic. Also, they are organized in teams where older kids walk younger kids to school with the 5th or 6th graders on the front and back to sandwich all the little kiddos. Immediately after arriving at school and before the school day starts, kids either do self-directed exercises or do chores such as cleaning or watering plans. Another interesting fact is that the students take of their outside shoes and put on slippers for the inside of the school.

Other differences include the entire concept of lunch. In most US schools, lunch is handled in the cafeteria as students get their food and eat at tables. In Japan, lunch is handled in the classroom as a team of students for each class brings the food to the classroom and they serve the food from rolling pots and pans onto plates. All of this is student directed and the teacher eats with them in the classroom.

After lunch and towards the closing of the school day, the most mind-blowing thing occured...cleaning time. Yes folks, the elementary students had their assigned areas and started to clean. Not just picking up rubbish or straightening chairs, but full blown sweeping hallways, wiping down furniture, vacuuming, weeding the gardens, beating carpets, etc. It was like watching Karate Kid as hundreds of Daniel-Sans had to paint the fence or wax the floor for Mr. Miyagi. Once again, the teachers didn't have to tell these students what to do. They were busy cleaning themselves.

Day 8

Our host city agenda is all about receptions and discussion groups. So, it's no surprise that the first thing on our agenda for today was a meet and greet with a select group of parents (kinda like their PTA) to discuss educational reform. The ladies that we met with were all very involved parents and are perhaps more so than most Japanese parents. Nevertheless, we walked away with the feeling that the majority of Japanese parents are very supportive of the school system. However, it is important to note that divorce rates (around 25% compared to the 55% in the US) is on the rise and more homes have dual income families that have both parents working instead of a traditional stay at home-parent (which usually is the mom).

It was funny to hear the term "Monster Parent" which is applied by the Japanese to parents who are overly demanding and difficult to work with in the schools. Apparently, these types of parents are increasing as well in Japan as shared by the moms that we met with. Right now, I'm picturing a parent walk into a school with the Godzilla music and suddenly roaring.

Our next stop was another meet and greet at the fancy Kashima Central Hotel. The city held a reception for all of us with the Mayor and special dignitaries, host families, and media in attendance. Of course, it would be my luck to be responsible for the requisite speech on behalf of our group on this occasion. I have to admit that it went well and I was pretty proud of my speech...I even gave the intro in Japanese! Woohoo!

I also got to meet my host family, which I will join in a few days, for the first time. I have the honor of staying with a lovely older couple and their daughter. Man, I wish I took Japanese in High School instead of French. It would've paid of well now.

After our reception, we were whisked away to Kashima Port where a city boat was waiting for us. We got an awesome tour of their harbor and the busy port system. I kindly shared that I was interested in getting behind the wheel of the boat. They kindly shared "No". LOL.

We then were taken to a visit with one of the local industries: the Kao Corporation. The Kao Corporation is a chemical manufacturer that makes such products as Biore, Jergen's Lotion, and Shiseido. We were given the grand tour and were even hooked up with some gift baskets...nice.

We then were taken to Minato Park where they have this huge tower observatory that overlooks the harbor. Great views and the park even had cool penguin waterfountains.

Japan Day 7

We're in our host prefecture of Ibaraki and we went between the capital city of Mito to the our host city of Kamisu.

First, we were received at Ibaraki University where we first met with the University President before dividing into 3 groups to have discussions with university students about the higher level educational system and their concerns. Ibaraki University has a pretty accomplished and established agricultural program. As always, the people that we've met have been courteous and extremely curious about us.

After our university stop, we took the a side trip to Kashima Shrine on our way to Kamisu city. This is a beautiful shrine like all the other shrines I've visited. However, this shrine is nestled deep within a forest and is home to deer. There's something special going on here. I've definitely got to go back. Also, every shrine I've visited uses a particular crest or mon, to identify the shrine. Kashima in particular uses the design with three "tomoe". Tomoe are supposed to be a swirly image with a large round head and a elongated tail...kind of like a tadpole...however, they are actually depictions of snakes. In Japan, snakes are believed to be very spiritual animals. In fact, the yin and yang sign is made of two tomoe.

Then, we rolled up on Kamisu City and had the meet and greet with the Mayor, Vice-Mayor, Superintendent, and their posse. They were really gracious and even gave us these cool lanterns as gifts and took us on a tour of a pond that was called "God's Pond". This was interesting since it used to be a much bigger pond and they reclaimed a whole grip of land for development. Nevertheless, the pond was pretty lake sized still yet.

Japan Day 6

Left Tokyo by chartered bus to go to the Ibaraki prefecture and my host city of Kamisu. Before leaving I took a trip to Ginza where I caught a festival where they carry portable shrines called mikoshi. It was a party atmosphere as hundreds of people came dressed in their Hapi coats to carry the gilded shrines.

Then, we set off for Mito...the capital of Ibaraki. On our way, we stopped by Kairaku-en...one of the top three gardens of Japan.

Another beautiful garden and shrine...Kairaku-en boasts a large plum forest, bamboo grove, springs, lakes, caves, cherry trees, and the Kobuntei (traditional Japanese bldg). Built in 1841 by Tokugawa Nariaki...Kairaku-en was unique where she was open to the public. After all her name means "a park to be enjoyed together".

Tomorrow marks the meat of the program as we have various visits with schools over the next few days. Whew...I'm beat.