As a volunteer at Kyoto’s Kamigyo History House, I was able to gain more insights into Japanese culture and language. I was lucky to work with many volunteers who have lived in Kyoto for most of their lives. Through my interaction with them, I was able to learn more about Kyoto’s history, such as the original city plan and four guardians.
It was a wonderful opportunity to practice Japanese in a more formal setting. Prior to this experience, I had never interacted with customers in Japanese. I had to learn new phrases and practice giving a tour of the history house; at times it was challenging, however, my fellow volunteers were always encouraging. Occasionally, customers would ask me questions either about my personal background or American culture, which I found frustrating, as I was there to share in Kyoto’s history. Yet in interacting with these customers, I was able to learn more polite expressions that I may not have used otherwise.
I am thrilled that a historical treasure like Kamigyo History House has been preserved, and I’m especially glad that I could help in the efforts to share it with the general public.
I totally can relate to you being frustrated by people always wanting to ask questions about America, to the exclusion of other topics. It definitely sometimes feels like we are an extra special show pony. It must have been really interesting to learn more about Kyoto’s personal history through working at the center, though. What kind of people typically come to the center? Is it mostly just tourists from various other parts of Japan?
Every now and then we had tourists drop by; we even had some tourists that had come from as far away as Tokyo. But we would often get curious people who would just wander into the machiya, not really knowing what it was. I think that’s what I really admire about Kyoto; you can come across historical places where you wouldn’t expect them.