Once upon a time, in the far away land of Japan there was an old women and an old man.
They wished everyday for snow so that they could go skiing. But, the snow refused to come and the cold winds of autum continued to blow. But, one day they saw in the sky what looked to be snow but, it wasn't coming down like snow and it was blowing in all different directions. "What is that?" The old man wondered. When the snow like things got closer, the old women and old man gasped. They were bugs. "This is not snow?" the old women said. But, within a weeks time snow began to fall. And that is the story of Yuki mushi.....jk.
Actually I don't completely understand the whole backing behind the yuki mushi (snow bugs). But, I do know that its a Japanese superstition. Basically Yuki mushi are white aphids. Once they start coming out in full, that within a week or two snow will fall. Lately they have been so many, I believe I have eaten some while riding my bike. Everybody has been saying it will snow on Tuesday or Wednesday this week. I completely don't believe them because we have been having such great sunny weather but know it is suddenly very cold. Maybe over night it will snow. If that happens I will totally believe in the Yuki Mushi power because if my memory serves right last Tuesday was when I started to see them all the time. I guess only time will tell.
EDIT (Oct. 26..Tuesday): OK. The Yuki mushi theory is totally true. I snowed. :( Bring on the winter.
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Sunday, October 17, 2010
The School Festival
Right now the fall leaves have started up and the weather is slowly getting colder and colder. For schools that usually means school festival time. A school festival is the Japanese schools way of allowing parents and others to come to the school for the day or two days, and enjoy what their kids can do.
School festivals (for Jr. high) usually start out with chorus contests. Each grade sings one song that each class in their grade has too, followed by their classes song of choice. After this one group is chosen as the winner in each grade, as well as an overall winner. The overall group gets to preform against the other schools in the area at a big hall concert. After singing each class/grade performs either a dance or a play. Than there is lunch time, in which the students help to serve the lunches (usually made by PTA moms in Jr. High). Than finally in the afternoon each class sets up their games/shops, and the parents and others get to shop around and play the games the kids created.
The elementary school festivals are not as intense. They last only in the morning time, about 9 - 12. First, they start off with the whole school singing a song, as well as their school song. Than each grade performs either a play or does music/sings. Each grade gets about 30 minutes to preform. Than everybody goes home and the poor teachers have to clean up the gym.
The great thing about Japanese schools is that they have things like this. The bad thing about things like this is....they tend to use time that should be spent studying in the classroom on it. Often two weeks before the festival the schools will slowly start to cancel afternoon classes so that the students can work on their festival instead. Sounds great right!? No, because they still have to get though the textbook by the end of the year. This means after the school festival teachers tend to push though the textbooks super fast to make up for lost time, which in turns means the kids don't have any idea what is going on, (at least in English).
Don't get me wrong though, I love school festivals. I just wish they could do them without missing so much class time.
School festivals (for Jr. high) usually start out with chorus contests. Each grade sings one song that each class in their grade has too, followed by their classes song of choice. After this one group is chosen as the winner in each grade, as well as an overall winner. The overall group gets to preform against the other schools in the area at a big hall concert. After singing each class/grade performs either a dance or a play. Than there is lunch time, in which the students help to serve the lunches (usually made by PTA moms in Jr. High). Than finally in the afternoon each class sets up their games/shops, and the parents and others get to shop around and play the games the kids created.
The elementary school festivals are not as intense. They last only in the morning time, about 9 - 12. First, they start off with the whole school singing a song, as well as their school song. Than each grade performs either a play or does music/sings. Each grade gets about 30 minutes to preform. Than everybody goes home and the poor teachers have to clean up the gym.
The great thing about Japanese schools is that they have things like this. The bad thing about things like this is....they tend to use time that should be spent studying in the classroom on it. Often two weeks before the festival the schools will slowly start to cancel afternoon classes so that the students can work on their festival instead. Sounds great right!? No, because they still have to get though the textbook by the end of the year. This means after the school festival teachers tend to push though the textbooks super fast to make up for lost time, which in turns means the kids don't have any idea what is going on, (at least in English).
Don't get me wrong though, I love school festivals. I just wish they could do them without missing so much class time.
Monday, August 16, 2010
Japan: the center of technology
Or not ..?
A lot of times when a foreigner things about Japan they think about a couple of things. The most common being technology and Anime.
(my amazing heated toilet!)
This is just my experience but, I feel as though Japan is actually quite ghetto, when it comes to technology. One look around my office work place already lends to my experience. The use of wireless, even in the work place is often unheard of. Inside everybody uses a line to hook up to the internet. There is no AC, and although they all have computers most of them are old, and malfunctioning. Also, most things are done on paper, filed away and then also done on the computer.
Than there is home life. Some ALT's have no plumbing. Instead they have a drop tank that is picked up when it gets full. I am lucky to have plumbing but, I have an ancient shower to make up for it. To turn on my shower there are many steps, one of which involves cracking on the gas. Oh, and all my cooking and heating is done by gas and kerosene. There is no central heating, expect in the new expensive homes in Japan and very few have AC. To have internet at home is slowly becoming more popular but, for the most part everybody goes to internet cafe's or uses their phones for internet.
(my only source of heat in the winter, it this kerosene heater and I live in Hokkaido, some of my friends on Kyushu and Honshu don't even have this).
(My gas store on which I cook food)
( My ghetto shower/bath)
Than there is the doctors offices. I recently went to an eye doctor in Japan to get new contacts. It was culture shock the minute I walked in. Instead of a machine which clicks around to find how strong your glasses/contacts need to be, a person holds up different lenses to your eyes and has you read a chart. The X-ray equipment is so old it pints off a tiny picture on a Polaroid machine. They don't usually dilate your eyes to see if something could be wrong either. As for regular doctors its pretty much the same. SUPER old equipment and what seems to be no confidentiality. Oh, and when you get an X-ray you have to ask for a vest, they don't even think about it no matter how close your X-ray is to that area.
There are many other ghetto like things hanging out in Japan. So can you really call it a center of technology ???
Nikki~
A lot of times when a foreigner things about Japan they think about a couple of things. The most common being technology and Anime.
(my amazing heated toilet!)
This is just my experience but, I feel as though Japan is actually quite ghetto, when it comes to technology. One look around my office work place already lends to my experience. The use of wireless, even in the work place is often unheard of. Inside everybody uses a line to hook up to the internet. There is no AC, and although they all have computers most of them are old, and malfunctioning. Also, most things are done on paper, filed away and then also done on the computer.
Than there is home life. Some ALT's have no plumbing. Instead they have a drop tank that is picked up when it gets full. I am lucky to have plumbing but, I have an ancient shower to make up for it. To turn on my shower there are many steps, one of which involves cracking on the gas. Oh, and all my cooking and heating is done by gas and kerosene. There is no central heating, expect in the new expensive homes in Japan and very few have AC. To have internet at home is slowly becoming more popular but, for the most part everybody goes to internet cafe's or uses their phones for internet.
(my only source of heat in the winter, it this kerosene heater and I live in Hokkaido, some of my friends on Kyushu and Honshu don't even have this).
(My gas store on which I cook food)
( My ghetto shower/bath)
Than there is the doctors offices. I recently went to an eye doctor in Japan to get new contacts. It was culture shock the minute I walked in. Instead of a machine which clicks around to find how strong your glasses/contacts need to be, a person holds up different lenses to your eyes and has you read a chart. The X-ray equipment is so old it pints off a tiny picture on a Polaroid machine. They don't usually dilate your eyes to see if something could be wrong either. As for regular doctors its pretty much the same. SUPER old equipment and what seems to be no confidentiality. Oh, and when you get an X-ray you have to ask for a vest, they don't even think about it no matter how close your X-ray is to that area.
There are many other ghetto like things hanging out in Japan. So can you really call it a center of technology ???
Nikki~
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
The amazing world of Taiko
Its been a long time since I updated. This time I wanted to talk a bit about Taiko drumming. Taiko drumming, or Japanese drumming came to Japan in the Yayoi period from China. Although the Taiko drums of today are distinctly Japanese the concept came from the traditional Chinese drums. Modern Taiko was started in 1951.
There are four major drum types. One is the Odaiko, the biggest of the drums. This drum is usually horizontal so that two people can play it on either side. There is also the Kodaiko, this one is a smaller version of the Odaiko and is placed on the floor, so only one person can play it. Shimedaiko, is the smallest of the major taiko drums. It can be played on either side but again this one is only played by one person and stands straight not horizontal. The last is called the Hiradaiko. The Hiradaiko is about half the size of the Kodaiko and is only played by one person, usually.
Taiko to me is a high energy drumming art. To play the Taiko you have to use your whole body, including your voice. Often in the middle of songs, at the beginnings and at the ends of songs words are shouted out, which raises the tension and performance of the songs. Also, how you move your body and how you team moves their bodies can make or break a piece. Therefore when playing taiko, you have to do more than drum, you have to become one with the other drummers and create a wonderful play throughout the song.
It takes years and years of practice to even play the simplest songs well. In Japan kids can start playing Taiko when they are 3 years old.
Every time I go to my Taiko group I am amazed at how fast the kids can learn new songs and how quickly they understand when to move their bodies. I have been playing Taiko for about 6 months now and I am just understanding the basic movement and I only know 2 songs, neither of which I play well. After practice I am always drenched in sweat. Taiko drumming is seriously a full-body workout. And I LOVE IT!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7jXFAVZ3xs
(This is me and my group playing Taiko at a festival in town.)
There are four major drum types. One is the Odaiko, the biggest of the drums. This drum is usually horizontal so that two people can play it on either side. There is also the Kodaiko, this one is a smaller version of the Odaiko and is placed on the floor, so only one person can play it. Shimedaiko, is the smallest of the major taiko drums. It can be played on either side but again this one is only played by one person and stands straight not horizontal. The last is called the Hiradaiko. The Hiradaiko is about half the size of the Kodaiko and is only played by one person, usually.
Taiko to me is a high energy drumming art. To play the Taiko you have to use your whole body, including your voice. Often in the middle of songs, at the beginnings and at the ends of songs words are shouted out, which raises the tension and performance of the songs. Also, how you move your body and how you team moves their bodies can make or break a piece. Therefore when playing taiko, you have to do more than drum, you have to become one with the other drummers and create a wonderful play throughout the song.
It takes years and years of practice to even play the simplest songs well. In Japan kids can start playing Taiko when they are 3 years old.
Every time I go to my Taiko group I am amazed at how fast the kids can learn new songs and how quickly they understand when to move their bodies. I have been playing Taiko for about 6 months now and I am just understanding the basic movement and I only know 2 songs, neither of which I play well. After practice I am always drenched in sweat. Taiko drumming is seriously a full-body workout. And I LOVE IT!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7jXFAVZ3xs
(This is me and my group playing Taiko at a festival in town.)
Monday, June 14, 2010
Yosakoi Soran Dancing
In Sapporo there is a HUGE Soran dancing festival held every June. It gains nation wide coverage. Soran dancing comes from an fishermen's dance. But, now it has been modernized into what many call, "rock-in soran bushi." Recently, this dance has gained popularity.
The concept is people pulling in fishing nets. Therefore deep knee bends and the usage of arm movements is very important to the soran dance.
Many people also use fans, flags, Japanese noise markers and other things to get people more into the dance. They also must incorporate high energy. This has truly become a sport.
The concept is people pulling in fishing nets. Therefore deep knee bends and the usage of arm movements is very important to the soran dance.
Many people also use fans, flags, Japanese noise markers and other things to get people more into the dance. They also must incorporate high energy. This has truly become a sport.
Saturday, May 22, 2010
Going to School
Hello all. Its been a while. Today my topic is about schools in Japan. This post might get a little long, sorry.
I am sure you all have this picture of well behaved, smart students who wouldn't say anything back to the teacher and do all their homework. I hate to say it but, this is NOT true. While I do have much better behaved students then the ones back home they are still kids. I still have to deal with the kids not turning in their homework, not studying for their test, and ditching classes or sleeping though them.
http://www.lifeaftertheboe.com/2006/08/12/bait-and-switch/
So, how do schools in Japan work? From my experience, this is how it works.
Elementary is 6 - 12 years old (1 - 6 grade), Junior High is 12 - 15 years (7-9 grade), and High School is 15 - 18 years (10 - 12 grade). To get into High school the kids have to take an entrance exam which makes their last year of Junior high kind of like our last year in high school. The exam is not easy, and they can only take one for public schools and up to 3 for private schools. If they don't pass their high school test they can opt to take a year off and study or they can go to a private school (if, they get in). It is important to note here that high school is not compulsory and so some kids just find work.
As for the happens at school, I work at a Junior High so...this is what happens at Junior high. School starts at 8:40 am - 3:30pm, (sometimes this changes). The first 10 - 15 minutes is for homeroom/morning reading, and then classes start. The students stay in their classroom and the teachers move around, except for P.E/Art/Science. Classes are about an hour long. Sometimes classes are canceled for teachers meetings, school festival, chorus contests, and ceremonies. The shedule for the kids changes everyday and every week, so teachers and students are always looking at their schedules to find out what class is next.
After school kids have fun by doing clubs. Clubs in Japan are taken VERY seriously. Sports clubs tend to be EVERYDAY for a couple hours and on the weekends for longer. The teachers who are in charge of these clubs don't have any vacation days, instead they are at school all the time, even on the weekends to help with clubs. Poor teachers.
Alright, that is my summary of how school works here. I will go into more detail about some of the things mentioned here on later posts.
I am sure you all have this picture of well behaved, smart students who wouldn't say anything back to the teacher and do all their homework. I hate to say it but, this is NOT true. While I do have much better behaved students then the ones back home they are still kids. I still have to deal with the kids not turning in their homework, not studying for their test, and ditching classes or sleeping though them.
http://www.lifeaftertheboe.com/2006/08/12/bait-and-switch/
So, how do schools in Japan work? From my experience, this is how it works.
Elementary is 6 - 12 years old (1 - 6 grade), Junior High is 12 - 15 years (7-9 grade), and High School is 15 - 18 years (10 - 12 grade). To get into High school the kids have to take an entrance exam which makes their last year of Junior high kind of like our last year in high school. The exam is not easy, and they can only take one for public schools and up to 3 for private schools. If they don't pass their high school test they can opt to take a year off and study or they can go to a private school (if, they get in). It is important to note here that high school is not compulsory and so some kids just find work.
As for the happens at school, I work at a Junior High so...this is what happens at Junior high. School starts at 8:40 am - 3:30pm, (sometimes this changes). The first 10 - 15 minutes is for homeroom/morning reading, and then classes start. The students stay in their classroom and the teachers move around, except for P.E/Art/Science. Classes are about an hour long. Sometimes classes are canceled for teachers meetings, school festival, chorus contests, and ceremonies. The shedule for the kids changes everyday and every week, so teachers and students are always looking at their schedules to find out what class is next.
After school kids have fun by doing clubs. Clubs in Japan are taken VERY seriously. Sports clubs tend to be EVERYDAY for a couple hours and on the weekends for longer. The teachers who are in charge of these clubs don't have any vacation days, instead they are at school all the time, even on the weekends to help with clubs. Poor teachers.
Alright, that is my summary of how school works here. I will go into more detail about some of the things mentioned here on later posts.
Friday, April 2, 2010
Festivals
Festivals, or Matsuri (in Japanese) are very important to the culture of Japan. The biggest time for festivals is in the fall near the end of summer but, also in the spring. Noboribetsu even has a couple festivals that it is famous for.
This is the Noboribetsu Hell Festival. It can be seen in late August. This is by far one of the best festivals I have ever been too. This one is to "celebrate" hell valley (our active volcanic area). It has ema-sama as the lead star, and he comes down at the end of the night and talks about taking out your toungue, if you lie. He is pulled down by demons and before this there is even an oni dance in which people dress in crazy costumes and dance the oni dance. I luckily got to be apart of the oni dance. :)
At festivals, there are usually games, Taiko (Japanese drums), music, and dancing, as well as other performances. Festivals are a great way to see the more fun loving side of Japanese people. Its really the one time that its ok to be completely drunk, and walking around the streets. In the picture my friend is trying hard at a game, in which you try to caught goldfish. The net used though is made of paper, and therefore breaks easy in water. It's much harder then it looks.
This is a picture of another famous Noboribetsu Festival. This on is in mid February.
I loved it, even if it was VERY cold to stand and watch. This festival is called yukake matsuri (or Throwing Hot Water Festival). This festival starts with a dance in which a man and a women dance and make a baby while the man hold a HUGE phallic in his hands. Then they make mochi and finally two teams come out and play horse while hitting each other with hot spring water.
This is the Noboribetsu Hell Festival. It can be seen in late August. This is by far one of the best festivals I have ever been too. This one is to "celebrate" hell valley (our active volcanic area). It has ema-sama as the lead star, and he comes down at the end of the night and talks about taking out your toungue, if you lie. He is pulled down by demons and before this there is even an oni dance in which people dress in crazy costumes and dance the oni dance. I luckily got to be apart of the oni dance. :)
At festivals, there are usually games, Taiko (Japanese drums), music, and dancing, as well as other performances. Festivals are a great way to see the more fun loving side of Japanese people. Its really the one time that its ok to be completely drunk, and walking around the streets. In the picture my friend is trying hard at a game, in which you try to caught goldfish. The net used though is made of paper, and therefore breaks easy in water. It's much harder then it looks.
This is a picture of another famous Noboribetsu Festival. This on is in mid February.
I loved it, even if it was VERY cold to stand and watch. This festival is called yukake matsuri (or Throwing Hot Water Festival). This festival starts with a dance in which a man and a women dance and make a baby while the man hold a HUGE phallic in his hands. Then they make mochi and finally two teams come out and play horse while hitting each other with hot spring water.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
My Job
So, what is it that I do? I work in Junior high schools, in a small town in Hokkaido, Japan. I will be here for at least two years but, maybe more. I am an assistant language teacher (ALT). I help, the Japanese teachers teach English. Its a very fun, and rewarding job.
I love getting to teach, especially when they let me throw fun parties.
This picture is from Halloween. I had the 1st years cut pumpkins and the 2nd years got to play the gross game.
Besides teaching though, in Junior High Schools I am also here to help promote international understanding. I do this by helping out with community events, or planning. Also, I try to talk to anybody that wants to. It's great, living here. But, it can be hard.
I love getting to teach, especially when they let me throw fun parties.
This picture is from Halloween. I had the 1st years cut pumpkins and the 2nd years got to play the gross game.
Besides teaching though, in Junior High Schools I am also here to help promote international understanding. I do this by helping out with community events, or planning. Also, I try to talk to anybody that wants to. It's great, living here. But, it can be hard.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Noboribetsu
Noboribetsu is made up of three different sections. First there is Noboribetsu. This area is the tourist area and there are many things to enjoy.
Like this aquarium made to look like a Denmark castle. Besides that there is also
a ninja park, bear park and a volcano. Noboribetsu is known for it's hot springs.
Besides that there is two other areas of town. Horobetsu, where I live and Washibetsu.
Horobetsu, is also very pretty.
I love my town even if its a bit inconvenient.
Like this aquarium made to look like a Denmark castle. Besides that there is also
a ninja park, bear park and a volcano. Noboribetsu is known for it's hot springs.
Besides that there is two other areas of town. Horobetsu, where I live and Washibetsu.
Horobetsu, is also very pretty.
I love my town even if its a bit inconvenient.
The Beginning...
This is the beginning of this blog, so I thought it would be good to post a picture from the beginning of my journey.
This is at the orientation in Tokyo for the JET programme. It was very formal.
After orientation, I moved off to Hokkaido.
This is Noboribetsu, Hokkaido. It was super green in the summer. :)
Soon after I arrived, I had another orientation, at this beautiful building in Sapporo.
This is at the orientation in Tokyo for the JET programme. It was very formal.
After orientation, I moved off to Hokkaido.
This is Noboribetsu, Hokkaido. It was super green in the summer. :)
Soon after I arrived, I had another orientation, at this beautiful building in Sapporo.
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