Japan so Far… Framing Insights and Experiences into Perspective

According to Ernest Holmes, “a moment’s insight is sometimes worth a lifetime of experience”. Based on the experiences I have lived over the past forty-five days since my departure from Vancouver, I can certainly attest to what Holmes tried to encompass in such words of wisdom. So much has happened since my return from Fuji-san’s summit that I’ve found it difficult to put into writing the immensity of the profound impact that these experiences have had within me. For the moment, it would suffice to say that although I’ve only been in Japan for one and a half months, I truly feel as if I have always lived here. Indeed, I can say with certainty that I’ve never felt a stronger feeling of belonging to one place as I do now; this place speaks to me more than any other place I’ve come to visit. Thus, I would like to take this opportunity to convey and frame some of what I have seen, learned, and experienced so far… into perspective.

It all began during my first “official” day working at Awano chugako (JHS). Walking into the office for the first time, close to forty of my co-workers raised from their seats and bowed as they gave me a warm-hearted welcome with the phrase “Ohayo gozaimasu”; it was a moment I will never forget. Soon after finding a sign on my desk that read: “We are glad to finally see you! Enjoy with us!”, I was asked to come up to the front of the communal office to deliver a speech in Japanese and formally introduce myself to everyone. Twenty-four hours later, I was doing something similar, except the speech was 15 minutes longer and it had to be delivered facing a crowd of 700 of my students in the school’s gymnasium.

Although I have always enjoyed public speaking, the so-called “butterfly-feeling in one’s stomach” has always been present in me prior to stepping onto the stage. To my surprise, on that day these butterflies appeared to have been dormant, perhaps they finally found a way to be free and have long been gone since. Without any hesitation, I proceeded to the stage, placing myself under Japan’s sacred flag, I took on the mic and faced the hundreds of unfamiliar faces, which have slowly become familiar to me. The speech went as smoothly as planned, but without a doubt my fondest memory was witnessing the degree of trust and respect that the crowed showed towards me after each of them bowed and loudly responded to my greeting with a wholeheartedly: “Ohayo gozaimasu!”

Soon after the speech, I received a few short compliments (i.e. Good!); things went back to business (to the present moment), and I was asked to give my first lesson to the first graders. Two weeks of teaching have come and passed since; thus, giving me the opportunity to teach for the first time in each of my 22 classes and introduce myself more in-depth. Moreover, I have had the chance to interact with my students more personally by having lunch with them and participating in many of the extra-curricular club activities that are available to compliment their interests and provide them with a real education (i.e. band, choir, art, baseball, soccer, basketball, handball, volleyball, judo, kendo, tennis, table tennis, badminton, track & field, etc).

It is here where I have seen some of the most acute differences between the Western and Eastern hemispheres of our world. The degree of utter devotion to their chosen fields of interest has led to remind me of my students at Beijing's Peiking University two years ago. One only needs to observe the amount of passion and commitment these students dedicate to their studies, athletic abilities, and musical instruments on a daily basis to understand the reason why perfection (or the pursue to anything close to it) is none other than a very reachable expectation in this society. Indeed, it’s what has driven this nation to attain such prominent prestige over the centuries. For me, this is a quality that I not only admire, but I truly respect and will forever attempt to emulate.

Aside from school-related activities, I have continued to pursue my interests in exploration and immersion into Japanese culture. Thus, I have enrolled in Nihongo classes (Japanese), calligraphy, taiko (traditional drumming), and Karate. More significantly, however, I’ve had the opportunity to get involved within the community by taking part in a series of volunteer opportunities, participating in the Tsuruga Matsuri, pledging to participate in the Tsuruga Marathon on 10/18/09, and have been elected to be a “First Year Representative” for all new JET’s within the Fukui Prefecture (both an opportunity & a challenge).

Of these, it was my active participation in the Tsuruga Matsuri, by far the biggest festival in the Reinan region and most enjoyable one I’ve taken part in, which has left the most profound impression in me. Having had the fortune to be excused from attending school for two days at the beginning of the month, I was able to join the festival by helping to carry the “omikoshi” (click here) throughout the city. After being given my uniform for the day, forty of some of the most influential Tsuruga citizens ranging from 16 all the way to 63 years of age proceeded to receive a blessing from the Shinto priest, shared a “kampai” ceremony with beer and sake for good health and fortune, got the annual picture for the temple’s wall taken, and put on our “game-face” for the task ahead. Although physically demanding, our constant chanting on top of the enthusiastic cheering of local bystanders (not to mention the fact that we would constantly take breaks every 50 m. or so to enjoy cold “Asahi” beer, sake, juice, and other delicious snacks) was reassuring and extremely enjoyable - hands down one of the best days of my life.

Notwithstanding the magnificent celebrations that were going on throughout the city, along with the hundreds of food stands and the beautiful “yukatas” (summer kimonos) worn by women and men alike, it was the very feeling of "belonging" to something much bigger that myself that gave me the greatest fulfillment. After all, I was more than a “tourist” who just happened to be at the right town at the right time, or a foreigner with little to no understanding for the festival’s very purpose and significance. In fact, I was much more than an Anthropologist participating as a “participant observer” and trying to note down the tinniest of details into paper. No, I was much more than that this time; I was seen and accepted as one of the group. A ring of the chain that is ingrained in the very structure of Japanese society. Indeed, seeing the look of surprise, respect, acceptance, and admiration on the faces of my students and their parents alike as they yelled out my name, and new-found title of sensei throughout the streets of Tsuruga as I helped carry the omikoshi is a moment in time I will forever hold dear.

Much more has happened over the past few weeks, including a visit to Eiheiji Temple, the headquarter’s of Soto Zen Buddhism, founded by Dogen senji close to 800 years ago; attending a series of other smaller festivals such as Awano’s “Sports Day” and taiko concerts (i.e. Kodo); attending my first "enkai" (Japanese drinking party) with 22 of my co-workers, followed by a karaoke after-party in which I was obligated to sing 7 songs of my own choosing... jaw-dropping performance...haha; visiting many more beaches and magnificent mountains around Tsuruga and long strolls and bike rides throughout the Kehi Pine Forest under the moonlight. Suffice to say that over the past six weeks, I have genuinely adjusted to the slower pace of life along this breathtaking coast, along with its climate and the cultural expectations embodied in this place. Most importantly, however, I have come to understand how moments compose our lives. I look forward to proceed with my immersion efforts as I strive to unlearn my current cultural biases and preconceived opinions in order to continue remembering who I AM and for what I’ve been called to be here.

I end this post with the following insight:

A perfect blossom is a rare thing. You could spend your entire life looking for one and it will not be a wasted life. Like the blossoms, we are all dying… but, to know life in every breath, every cup of tea, every grain of rice, every drop of water…

... every end & beginning...

Such is the Way… of the Warrior.

Take your right hand and hold it tight.

NOW you hold eternity in the palm of your empty hand.

Namaste.