Week 3: Rain Puddles to Relationships

My third week in Japan starts with a dinner party for new IMBA students in Japan, hosted by Nikko Chemical Company, Ltd. We have a wonderful time trying Japanese-styled pizza, different Chinese dishes, and meeting some of the people from Nikko and its subsidiaries. A number of USC IMBA alumni work for Nikko and there is a longstanding relationship we hope to continue.

One opportunity Nikko makes for us new IMBA students is the opportunity to teach English to employees. I may try it if my schedule allows.

Aside from the crust and the pizza box, Japanese pizza is radically different from stuff in America. I tried pizza with corn, mayonaise, squid, broccoli, and a few other toppings. They were all *suprisingly* good. The only exception was the tuna pizza, but that is probably just a personal preference. You should go ahead and try it, just to make sure.

The next day I had the opportunity to try a Japanese/Chinese/French fusion-cuisine baikingu, or smorgasbord, at a restaurant in Ikebukuro. It was the treat of Arai-san, the good friend of a good friend from South Carolina. I was very impressed with the atmosphere and the presentation. The most remarkable dish in my opinion was a pumpkin mousse with nuts. Food aside, it was a good time to build relationships.

Wednesday was the first day of classes. I mentioned previously that I was a little discouraged at starting at Level 1, but Honda sensei did a very good job of getting us motivated to learn Japanese. By second period I was greatly encouraged.

The first class was mostly spent learning about each other through jikoushoukai, or self-introduction, a very Japanese protocol that includes company and/or name, nationality or hometown, occupation, major or specialization, and hobbies. Here I am about to give my jikoushoukai.

It takes 15 minutes to bike to school, 30 minutes by train, and 45 minutes walking. On days that it rains I take the train because I have not yet developed the skill of riding a bike while holding an umbrella. Natives do it all the time.

Thursday it rained in the morning but was pleasant enough for a nice walk back. On my way through Toyama park I met a girl playing in the rain puddles. Her mother was there, so I took a few pictures.

This is Wang-chan in her new rain gear.

The sakura are persistent in blooming, even though most the trees are full of leaves now. At first I considered it a rivalry, but now I think they are complementary expressions of the season. Sakura represents beauty, courage and persistance, the green leaves represent stamina and longsuffering. It's as if the fleeting flower is teaching the slower but enduring leaf how to fulfill its unique role.

The morning rain had knocked down much of the sakura blossoms, giving a snow-like pink frosting to the park.

All my teachers are enthusiastic and encouraging. Kawaguchi sensei is director of Level 1 and Level 2 programs, and a friend of our Japanese teacher in South Carolina. Here he is going over proper pronunciation methods for different kana. I am never bored in class.

Watching him and the others teach I was reminded how much influence a leader has on an organization. If you watch carefully you can see how the personality and passion of the leader colors the organization. Another way to describe it is as an inaudable drum beat that creates a rhythm and cadence to to inspire and guide others. It is especially evident in the way people form the organization relate to others.

NOTE: Goma o suru, to grind sesame seeds, is the Japanese expression equivalent to "brown noseing."

I tried to get at least one picture from each class, but unfortunately some did not turn out. I will try to fill in the blanks in a future post.

I go back to the Shinjuku-ku Sports Center for the beginner-level kendo lessons. Remember what I said about being piñatas for the kids?

This is what I found when I got there...

Fortunately, three other people my size were also starting lessons with me. Izawa sensei is really good with kids, and he manages to keep eight more-or-less corraled and keeping up with the practice. The practice itself is fairly grueling for the larger beginners. Izawa sensei may be good with kids, but he is relentless with us big people! I don't understand about 95 percent of what is said, but Izawa sensei is patient and explains things through body language well.

The three other adults are also Japanese language students. Amin' is an MBA candidate on scholarship at Waseda University who is studying at the Japanese Language Center like me, but at a higher level. Noh and Kim are studying Japanese at a different school. Amin' is from Malaysia and both Noh and Kim are from South Korea (listed in order, L to R). We all speak English, but since we're here to study Japanese we make a conscious effort to converse in Nihongo dake, Japanese only.

We make plans to meet on Friday to go to a Kendo gear shop in Ikebukuro that has a reputation for quality and good prices. The basic equipment for a beginner is the kendogi, or heavy woven top garment, the hakama, the traditional bottom garment of warriors, and shinai, a proportionally-correct version of a katana "samurai sword" but made from four slats of bamboo. It is also necessary to buy the tsuba (hand guard) and a case or bag for the shinai. Bogu, or armor, will have to wait.

I am told carrying an un-cased training weapon in public will get you arrested.

Here is a pictue of Honda sensei. Honda sensei and Honda sensei have similar sounding names, but in Japanese their names are spelled differently. This is probably the clearest picture I can take of her. She may be part humming bird or part Tigger, because she is constantly in motion. I don't know if I have ever met a more energetic person.

¡NOTE! Sensei! You are not "flighty" like a bird, and you don't look like Tigger one bit!

Sunday means Kyudo practice. I really look forward to it because of the people I get to meet.

Here is a picture of Fujiki Junichi-san, leader of the Waseda University Kyudo Circle, by the genkan, or entrance, to the training hall in formal dress. He self-titled the picture "A Really Cool Guy."

Remember what I said about leaders and their effect on the group?

The practice ends with another dinner party at the restaurant by the station.

Most all Japanese names have a meaning associated with it. I've never been very good at remembering names, but I found it helps if I ask them the meaning behind their name. It's incredibly fascinating and educational, and opens a window into the heart of the person.

Of course I have had to share the meaning of mine, including my current nickname... >(^-^)<