Back to School

After THE BIG SHUFFLE, and after my Tokyo trip with Kieran, we came back up to Nanyo and I had to start work the following week. It was nice to go back to school after a bit of a break, having seen a few long-time-no-seen visitors in the gap. The first school was Nakagawa - it was the school with my favorite bunch of thrid graders, who would no longer be there anymore.

This was one of the things that made me a little bit anxious about going back to school, the big one being the results of the April shuffle. I had been told that all the English teachers were more or less the same, which was one good thing to know, but still, there would be lots of new faces around the schools. Perhaps there were some teachers that never really talked to me that wouldn't be there anymore, perhaps there were some teachers that talked to me lots, and wouldn't be there anymore. I prepared myself a little bit, for the realisation that I would have to get to know each school a little bit better again.

At Nakagawa - the principal had changed, and so I was more nervous about how he would feel about me and what kind of person he would be like. Turns out he used to be an English teacher, and a very nice guy - so he has been added to the list of teachers that talk to me from time to time! Great!

It was great to go back and see the kids again in their new grades. They all look a lot older, especially the 1st graders who when I first arrived looked very innocent and young, now they're more like full blown teenagers! There English has also improved too! You can definately tell - its a great and positive thing to notice, to think back to the time when the first years could hardly say anything, and now they (read: most!) can have a nice conversation with me in English, if they try hard enough!

Another positive thing of the second year, is that the students are all far more familiar with me by now. They seem to trust me a lot more, know me a lot more, are more chatty, and, perhaps because I'm more familiar with how to go about speaking with them, and helping them to speak, they seem to be a bit more confident around me! Great! Last week I played kickball with the 2nd graders at Ringo JHS - Ringo was initially, probably the quietest, shyest bunch of kids in Nanyo - but they seem to have come out of their shells! I wish they'd invite me to more things - I really do enjoy hanging out with them, its just a little hard to work out what they're doing sometimes - kind of like trying to crack a code or puzzle!

Here's to the second year then!

THE BIG SHUFFLE

The new school year starts in April in Japan. The arrival of Spring and the blossoming of the Cherry trees are rather poetic allusions to new and beautiful beginnings, coinciding with a fresh year for the students.

Strangely enough, since my visitors came over, I had little to no money left, and felt there was nothing much going on to tell you about, and nothing significant enough to tell you - no trips, events etc happening.

Now, all of sudden, I discover there is/has been loads to tell you about! So let me begin. First, before my grandparents and Kieran even visited Japan - there was 'The Big Shuffle' (as I would like it to be enigmatically named in English). I can't even begin to remember what it would be called in Japanese.

Basically, all the schools (EVERYWHERE in Japan), and all the civil workers for the cities have a big shuffle. On average people can stay in the same department, or school, or position etc for about 3-4 years. But some people can move after only 1 year, and some can stay in the same place for up to 8-10 years. Virtually every employee is considered in the change, but nobody has a clue when and where they will move.

The whole process seems to be a bit of a lottery, and I haven't quite worked out who exactly decides where people move to, or whether a person is moved based on acheivements, skills, qualities etc.)

Essentially its a time for promotions and bigger responsibilities, but from observation, you have to earn these through perseveration of smaller roles and dedication to your job.

I was sat in the office mid April - when the announcement was made. A paper booklet was passed around with each department and the changes made into it. It was quite an emotional time. Everybody sat around the head of the departments desk and the changes were announced. Before hand, people had been speculating with me as to who might move, but I don't think anybody expected who actually did. My supervisor, Mr Itagaki is originally an Elementary School teacher, and was moved to the position of Teaching Inspector and Advisor for the city five years ago. I get the impression he is quite keen to move back to school and teach again, but this year he did not move (which means he stays as my supervisor for my next year which is great because he's a very nice guy!). Once he does moves (which I get the impression is inevitable) the role he plays now, will set him up for the position of Vice-principal, and eventually Principal.

The dietician for the schools of Nanyo City was moved after 8 years in the Board of Education, as was a nice guy involved in the administration of the school. He spoke a bit of English too, and it was sad to see both of them go. The guy has moved to the Department of Agriculture (Rice fields!!!) and the Dietician has moved to the local general hospital.

On that same day, all the teacher would have found out whether they would stay or go, and where they would be going to next.

A few days later, we had this big ceremony to welcome new teachers from other towns and cities to Nanyo, and also to officially promote any principals and vice-principals that had been changed. (This ceremony I knew nothing about, except for that I had to arrive at the office half an hour earlier - and for which it sounded like it would be a good thing to dress in my best smart suit - a good choice in the end)

What with all the Kochos and Kyotos (Principals and Vice-principals respectively) arriving, and all the bowing and fancy language being used, and the fact that I would be formally introduced to all the new teachers along with all the other members of the Board of Education (Retrospectively, it was nice to feel included and considered as part of the Nanyo Board of Education staff, which is what I am after all!) - I was WELL nervous, and completely exhausted after the whole affair which finished at something like 10am!

Perhaps next year I will be a little more prepared for this crazy annual "end-of-days" occurance!

A Saturday Morning in Japan

There's nothing like being woken up at 8:50am on a Saturday morning to a pretty big earthquake shaking your whole house! The epicenter was in the prefecture above Yamagata. It was a pretty big one too - exciting and scary stuff!

From Kieran

Kieran wrote me a little piece about his experience in Japan:


Konnichiwa!
It’s Kieran here, fresh back from an amazing couple of weeks in ye ol’ Nippon! I had an absolutely incredible time – both in Tokyo and Nanyo, which although a tiny little place is full of characters and nice little quirks. Special mention should go to Satomi, Miyako, Eri and Marie, who are all fantastic and genuinely the nicest, most welcoming Japanese people you could ever hope to meet (even if you meet them over Pizza and not something a little more Japanese!)
I learnt a bit of Japanese, but mostly managed to get by with nervous bows and a smile – that’s all you really need. Saw some amazing sights too – Nikko outside of Tokyo was outstanding, as was Yamadera mountain temple and Zao Onsen (the awe-factor of a Japanese attraction is seemingly related to its altitude!)
Got some great memories, some great photos, and put together a cool film of my trip. It was really great spending time with Chris, and meeting his fantastic friends. I cannot recommend Japan highly enough. Even a short visit will, I’m sure, leave you completely enamoured with this beautiful country and its wonderful people. I would fly back in an instant!
KC
May 2008

Another visitor!

Last month was a little busy! Because...I had another visitor! Kieran came for about two weeks and great time was had by all! We stayed in Tokyo for one week, during 'Golden Week' (the name given to a group of national holidays all squashed together, making one long holiday! Unfortunately this year was a bit rubbish because the holidays fell 0n a weekend!) One week was a pretty long time, but it meant that we could check out lots of places at a leisurely pace! One particularly nice place was 'Yanaka' - sort of in the centre of Tokyo, and yet an older more traditional place with a quiter atmosphere, more traditional looking houses and a peaceful and tranquil graveyard, one of the largest I think I've seen in Japan so far.

On one of the days I was lucky enough to find out about a piano Masterclass that was going on in a neighborhood just a bit away from Shibuya. Somebody had informed me about it by email. One of the piano professors from the Royal Academy of Music had come over for a few concerts in Tokyo and was asked by a Japanese friend who graduated at the college to give a masterclass. There were about 20 or so Japanese people, me and some old German academic woman who wasn't particularly friendly. Anyway, it was a really lucky opportunity for me, as I got to have a one-to-one chat with him over a cup of coffee (he was a really nice guy), and then I was actually able to understand first-hand his discussions and explanations during the masterclass, rather than rely on the translator who I think sometimes had a bit of difficulty really interpreting what professor Andrew West was trying to say.

On one day we went to Yokohama, to the very impressive and vibrant Chinatown. It had some really colourful and interesting temples and shrines, and on another day, we visited Nikko - a place North of Tokyo with some amazing landmarks and temples.

Me and KC outside one of the colorful temples in Chinatown, Yokohama.

After the week was over, Kieran joined me back up in Nanyo to get a taste of the real Japan. I made my first visit to Yamadera, one of the celebrated landmarks of Yamagata (meaning Mountain Temple, which is literally up a mountain!) and there were SO MANY STEPS to climb up! However, the views were beautiful - and we went on a nice day with low lying fluffy clouds skimming the mighty mountains.

We also sampled some of Japan's more crazier and modern spectacles like Puri-Kura and Karaoke, which Kieran (I do believe) enjoyed very much!

For the second week, I (finally) started making school visits again, and so Kieran had to entertain himself. Readers, you must give him a round of applause though, because he managed to work out the train system by himself, visit a few places around Yamagata and also get a bus up to explore Mt Zao (not easy things to do when you don't know much Japanese!)

Enjoying the view of Okitama (Southern Yamagata) up on the site of Nanyo's Skypark, used for para-gliding and hang-gliding.

I think Kieran was so impressed with Japan that he would like to come back again! I don't think Japan was a country he really wanted to see in the first place, but seen as I was here it was a good idea to check it out while he had a good opportunity to. Now, I think his attitude has changed, just like my grandparents did! Maybe he's seen all there is to see of Yamagata(!), but coming back to Japan in Autumn is a completely different picture, plus Kieran has yet to explore the southern side of Japan, the 'Kansai' area of Kyoto, Osaka and Nara - all beautiful and interesting places!

Kieran took most of the pictures with his fancy camera (mine was still broken :( ) so I only have two that he sent me!

Rising food prices!

Today I had Beans on Toast for tea and it was delicious. The last time I'd had baked beans was probably back in October, after a friend had bought me two tins as a present. Baked beans are very very difficult to get over here! I've scoured foreign food stores many a time to look for a tin of Heinz Baked Beans and have never been successful. However, I found some in Tokyo. I paid ￥400 (about £2) for one tin of beans! No man should ever have to pay that much for a tin of beans, and no man should ever have to wait so many months for his next installment of beans on toast!

桜 (Cherry Blossoms)

I was in such a busy state entertaining my visitors (plus my camera was still broken :-( ) that I kind of missed the best chances to capture the amazing Cherry Blossom that erupted out of the harsh Japanese winter. Mind you, maybe photos never do the real thing justice, I just felt I could have taken a few better shots.

I am most disappointed at not being able to show off my town's park, Eboshiyama Koen which people often talk about as having 'sen bon', or '1000 trees'. This might be quite an exaggeration - but for just under a week the park, which is elevated in the background of my town, proudly stood like a pink cloud full of cherry blossoms. Residents said it was the best bloom for about 10 years and at night the park would be illuminated with soft red Japanese style lanterns. It was so beautiful and such an amazing thing to see. The park was naturally packed both day and night with everyone wanting to admire the tremendous amount of pink petals that floated delicately above everyone!

The view of my town Akayu's park from the main street at sunset, a long cloud of pink! Lush!

Boys festival is around the same time as the Cherry Blossom blooming. In Japan, these kite-style carp (koinobori) are hung up all around Japan as a symbol of luck and prosperity to family's male children (They have a Girl's festival a bit earlier in the year). The carp is considered the most spirited of fish, full of energy and power and can fight its way up swift-running streams and cascades. Because of its strength and determination to overcome all obstacles, it stands for courage and the ability to attain high goals. They look nice swimming in the air too!