I was never very fond of children, unless they reminded me of myself. I don’t know if anything really changed my opinion, but nevertheless, I’ve enjoyed my time at Kyoto Bunkyo. I would have liked to have a role more like what a language assistant would actually do, but my schedule and the school schedules don’t really match up well enough for me to have that experience. Anyhow, I usually just float around and do whatever people tell me to do. Which basically turns out to be speaking to their students in English, which is completely within the bounds of my capabilities, no problem. The first or second time I showed up was a bit uncomfortable because I didn’t know what to expect or the situation wasn’t really optimal, but by the third and fourth time, I was thoroughly entertained. As for the secret of being entertained, I simply grew to not take anything personally and just bask in the adorability of bad English. As contrary as it could be to my personality at school, I would have to say that I can be quite the charmer. I pretty much say whatever I want within the realm of acceptability and treat the students more like friends and acquaintances than friends. Also, perhaps because I am usually a quiet person, I find it really easy to sit down patiently to deal with other quiet people and coaxing an actual conversation out of the ones who were actually capable of holding one. Anyhow, although I don’t feel particularly integrated in the school, I got the general idea that I wouldn’t hate myself completely if I decided to come back to teach in the JET Program.
「Boston University」カテゴリーアーカイブ
Marli Gordon: Kyodai Choir Reflection
The first choir practice I attended at Kyodai University held many surprises for me. That first day, four other KCJS students and I were warmly greeted by three choir members at the entrance to the University. They then lead us upstairs to a large room where the rest of the choir was assembled. Members surrounded us and introduced themselves, pointing to their nametags which they all had hanging on strings around their necks. Every single person I talked to made sure to make us feel like we were part of the group. As we participated in the warm-up exercises, the moment we looked confused, or even before we had a chance to, someone was always there to help us along. We went through the routine of stretching, singing while walking, singing while walking backwards and other voice exercises. The new members had their voices examined and I was placed into the Alto section. We practiced with our section and then sang the piece as a whole choir. After practice there was a designated time for people to make
announcements. I quickly caught on to choir rituals such as the established responses to certain phrases. Whenever a member was speaking to the choir he or she announced their name and everyone responded: “Whoa!” If they mentioned a place: “so close!”, a time: “so early!”, a price: “so cheap!” and so on. These responses united
the entire club and created a fun atmosphere while listening to numerous ordinary speeches. Once the announcements were finished we met with our section groups one last time before disbanding. The Alto leader gave us a recap on practice and there was time for Alto-specific notices. After some cleaning and a song by the guys,
then girls and finally everyone all together my first practice came to an end.
Before starting my CIP, I had been warned that it can be particularly difficult to engage Japanese in conversation but, instead, I found that I couldn’t get a word in edge-wise and was shocked by the contagious energy that everyone seemed to be bursting with. After the first day, I left feeling confident that I would quickly make tons of friends.
However, as time passed and our novelty wore off, students stopped approaching us on their own. I regularly talked to Alto members but otherwise I felt like I was sliding backwards and losing that initial sense of membership. In retrospect, I think joining the circle with five other KCJS members and having that first overwhelming interaction with the Japanese students gave me a false sense of security that ended up reducing my efforts to socialize. Another deterring factor was the number of practices. The students
had most of February off and then when they did meet we were on Spring Break. Despite these drawbacks I do enjoy being a member of the choir and internalizing Japanese social norms. I hope to make the most of the last few practices
we have left and solidify the friendships I have made.
Angelica Gam: Kyudo and KyoDai Choir
As per usual, the days have continued to grow increasingly busy now that the end of the semester is drawing near. Even so, I continue attending practices for both Kyudo and choir on a regular basis.
First, I’d like to discuss my relationship with my bow. Emily, Megan and I have nicknamed the bow that I tend to use during Kyudo, “Edward”, as in “Edward Cullen.” Why would I ever do that to myself, you ask? See, just like the abusive boyfriend Edward Cullen of Twilight fame, I tend to get injured whenever I use the bow. And, just like a textbook case of domestic abusive, I still use the same bow because I know that the reason why my bruises from Kyudo continue to increase is because I’m doing something incorrectly. It’s all fun when we joke about my abusive bow (Bow, Beau, get it?) but whenever I think my bruises have healed, I find myself getting new ones to replace the old ones. It’s like the bows are trying to remind me that this is a sport and requires some kind of physical strain. I joked around about finding the one sport that doesn’t require running and getting exhausted when I found my strong affection for archery of all types, but after practicing for these past months, I realize that’s not entirely true. Partly because of the occasional slaps of the bow string against my arm, and partly because of the gripping energy I realize I lack after a full hour of shooting, do I realize that archery still exercises muscles more than one would think.
With that said, I’ve known for a while as to what my issue is, and I’m just having problems changing it. My fear of being attacked by the string of the bow and my improper method of handling the bow has hindered me from shooting arrows sans corporal punishment. You’d think I’d be used to dealing with pain from the string after having gotten hit so many times, but I’m still subconsciously shying away and doing weird things when I practice. Meaning, I’m not really getting the meditating aspect part of Kyudo down. I’m entirely wrapped up in going through the motions that I find that I’m having difficulty getting out of my mind. More than shooting the arrow, trying to get out of my mind is the hardest part for me.
Since I’ve figured out how to hold the bow somewhat properly, the pain has decreased over the past couple of weeks. That does not mean that I’ve been able to graduate on to a painless existence in the dojo. In the end, the pain I receive is just like when those monks hit people during meditation when they find their minds wandering. It serves as a reminder of the fact that A.) I’m still doing weird things unnatural to kyudo and that B.) it needs to stop. All I can do is keeping chugging on, and maybe Edward and I can come to some kind of compromise soon. Or I could just use the other bow we named Jacob, whom I work better with anyway. Either works.
Moving on to choir, I think my main issue is the fact that my motivation to regularly attend is like zip. My lack of motivation stems from the fact that I know I’m practicing for a performance that I don’t have the funds to participate in. I personally think it’s ridiculous that I have to pay 10600 yen to perform in my own concert. And I really want to introduce the concept of fundraising to the group. But since I need some kind of motivation to keep me going, I’ve decided to go with the cheaper option: performing the theme song and the encore for only 2000 yen.
It’s still frustrating, though. The people are really nice, and they’ve always been incredibly welcoming, and even though we’re not performing the actual set, we’re still allowed to practice with them. But perhaps actually going and practicing the set with them increases my frustration with my lack of sufficient funds to appear in the whole concert.
It makes me wonder though, am I in this for the music, or am I in this for the people? Giving up on performing because of funds, and losing motivation… Perhaps this also stems from the lack of practices over their spring break, and the cancelled practices due to influenza bugs going around. I miss singing like crazy, but I’m not so crazy as to spend that much on my own performance. Maybe my love for music has died over the years of not singing — although I really hope that’s not the case. I have to think about this more.
It’s at least a bit heartening to know that my issues with both kyudo and choir do not stem from some kind of cultural misunderstanding. These are things that could virtually, and probably already does, happen anywhere else in the world. Money, time, lack of skills—these are all problems common to any other college student like myself, Japanese or not. And in a way, that provides at least a little bit of comfort, knowing that I have some kind of inherent connection with this strange new world I’ve been living in for the past few months.
Woes aside, I really am having a blast. That much, at least, hasn’t changed.
Samantha Lee: Hospital Volunteer
For the spring semester, I decided to continue my CIP with the Niconico Tomato (Nico Toma) volunteer group at Kyoto University Hospital. Nico Toma is responsible for organizing activities for the children receiving long-term treatment at the hospital. In addition to arranging activities, they also change the monthly decorations in the children’s ward and create holiday treat bags for the children.
Because of the language barrier, it was sometimes hard to understand the conversations that the other volunteers were having, but overall I felt that I had been included as a member of the group. The other KCJS students and I usually sit around the table with the rest of the Nico Toma volunteers and work together on various projects. No matter what task they are focused on, Nico Toma stays meticulously organized, and group cohesiveness is always important. When making holiday cards, for example, each volunteer is assigned a different step in the process, and it is through our combined efforts that the quality of every card is preserved. Teamwork was also important when we prepared for the bazaar event, as all of the merchandise needed to be sorted, priced, wrapped, before being arranged neatly into sale displays. The KCJS students were assigned to the towels and clothing section, and we were responsible for creating an organized display that would appeal to the shoppers. We successfully completed this task, and I felt very happy when the other volunteers complimented our display. Volunteering Nico Toma has been a great experience, and it was very impressive to see how much time and effort the volunteers spend towards helping the children have a more pleasant stay at the hospital.
Emily Camarata: Kyudo
When starting out Kyudo I wasn’t really sure what to expect. I’ve done several types of martial arts in the past and know that each of them is entirely different from the other and I knew right away that Kyudo was going to be a unique experience. What I did not realize was how unique of an experience Kyudo practice and the atmosphere of the dojo itself was going to be in comparison to the rest of Japan.
Immediately upon contacting my sensei I realized that she was a very confident, laid back, and friendly individual. She was very welcoming and accommodating, and as long as her students showed a general interest in learning Kyudo she was more than willing to go above and beyond to help them. I believe it is primarily from her that the atmosphere of the rest of the dojo flowed from. More than any group of Japanese people that I have encountered, I can say that the Kyudo Dojo felt like my ｳﾁ. These were people that, even before they got to know me, would notice whether or not I was there and would be glad to see me. They would respond well when I reached out to them and reach out to me in kind, often offering a lot of useful advice for Kyudo. Once I started wearing a uniform I especially felt like I was considered part of the dojo, no different from any other student there.
The practice itself is also extremely rewarding and the more I get into Kyudo the more I sense the spirituality associated with it. Kyudo is very much a sport with intentions of meditation and stillness in mind. It’s less about hitting the target and more about the process, with the goal being to put every bit of your soul into each shot. It’s a very intriguing art form that with each additional practice, becomes more and more mysterious and awe inspiring. I was fortunate enough during a practice two weeks ago to have an experience which left me dumbstruck for a while after my arrow had already hit the target. I was standing in position, taking aim, trying to synchronize my breaths with my shot. When I finally started exhaling for the last time, it was as if the bow took over. I don’t even remember releasing the bowstring, but there the arrow was, flying towards the target. The bow then spun itself in my hand, a sign of a good release, and my ears were filled with the striking ring of the bowstring that never fails to be satisfying. I felt as if my own body had just stood aside while the bow took over. It was mystifying and I can’t wait for more.
Rebecca Gabriel : English Teaching Assistant
Starting in September, I have been volunteering as an English teaching assistant at a middle school for my CIP. As I have mentioned in the previous blog entry, I had to change schools this semester because of schedule conflicts. Though I missed my old school a bit, it was interesting to be able to help at two different schools. Both of the schools were actually very similar, but the activities I did were very different.
In the first school, I went to class and played English work games or read off vocabulary lists or readings or I went around helping out with worksheets. At the second school, I did that sort of thing the first time, but after that I started coming after class and practicing English conversations with the kids. We talked about a lot of things. Where we want to go on vacation, kpop sings that we like, which club they were in, and so on and so forth. They were really very cute, but it was a bit unfortunate that they were shy about speaking in English. Most of the time, they would go off in Japanese tangents about whatever we were talking about at the time. I sometimes think that I didn’t really do much to help with their English education, but I am still glad that I could meet them all.
The last time I went to speak with the 7th graders, there happened to be a girl in a wheelchair there as well. I was actually touched by how they all included her. Rather than making her sit in the wheelchair, one of the girls carried her over to a regular chair. After we talked, she tried to help her to the wheelchair again, but they both fell. They burst out laughing. The girl who helped her didn’t seem troubled or put upon at all. Although I am not well informed on the subject, I often hear about criticism for the Japanese view on and treatment of handicapped persons. As such, I was really proud of all of the girls who so naturally helped out and included their friend. Wednesday was the opening ceremony for the school, so I hope I can go at least one more time! It’s been a really interesting experience teaching here, and I won’t soon forget it.
レベッカ・ガブリエル：英語の先生のアシスタント
CIPとして今学期私は上京中学校で英語を教えている。先学期は開晴中学で教えたが、今学期は、上京中学校で教えている。今までに先生を一回手伝った。自己紹介して、先生と一緒に英語で道を教えることを教えた。私は黒板に地図を書いて、英語で行き方を教えて、学生達にどこへ行ったか聞いた。すると、私の日本語の会話の授業でも道を教えることを練習するというすごい偶然があった。
その後は授業に行くのではなくて、九年生が高校に入るための英語の面接の練習を手伝っている。一人十分ずつ英語で簡単な質問をして、五文で絵を説明するように学生に言った。文法を直してあげて、もっと自然に話せるように練習した。次の面接の練習では六人が丸く座って、自由に英語で話した。好きな本や映画や将来何をしたいか聞いた。私と同じくハリー・ポッターもワン・ピースも嵐も好きだそうだ。ある女の子はジャスティン・ビーバーが好きだと言った。その子達は高校に入れたら、マレーシヤとオーストラリアに行って、二週間ぐらいホームスティをするそうだ。二時間も話したが、全然つまらなくなかった。
今学期の最初、私は先学期と同じことをするのは面白くないかもしれないと心配したのだが、まだ面白くて楽しい。開晴中学校でも上京中学校でも学生達は元気で、いつも「ハロー！」と言っている。とてもかわいいと思う。開晴中学校に行けないのは残念だと思うが、それぞれの経験は一期一会だと思う。
マリー・ゴードン：合唱団
私は京大大学の合唱団に入っています。毎週二回練習します。合唱団には百人、女性と男性がいます。人数がすごく多くて、みんなはいつも元気なで楽しいです。水曜日は同じセクションのメンバーとまず練習して最後にみんなと会わせて歌います。金曜日は女性と男性が別々に練習します。練習の以外に演技もあります。
カマラタ：弓道
大学に入った時から剣道を練習していましたから、初めはＣＩＰのために剣道のサークルに入りたかった。でも、ＣＩＰについて考えていたら新しいことを習いたいて思うようになりました。弓道にいつも興味があって、同志社大学の近くに弓道の道場がありますので、弓道を始めました。
弓道は現代の武道のスポーツですが、最初の弓を打つ絵は弥生時代に書かれました。侍が政権を握た時に弓道はもっと大切になって、最初の弓道の流派は源平時代に作りました。ポルトガル人が日本に火器をもたらしましたから、弓を使うのは少なくなりました。それから、弓を使うのは武道とスポーツだけになりました。今世界で、五十万人ぐらい弓道家がいます。
私はターリーさんとガムさんと一緒に一週間に二回京都武道センターに行って、弓道をやります。道場に入る時に、先生を待ちます。先生にうなずいて、じゅんびを始めます。自分で弓を作って、練習します。川口先生は私たちの問題を直して、アドバイスをして下さいます。
もちろんまだ弓道は下手ですが、楽しんで練習して早く上手になりたいです。
アンジェリカ・ガム：弓道と合唱団
私は弓道と合唱団をやっているAJだ。CIPを探していた時に二つとも興味がありましたが一つしか選べなかったので、両方をすることにした。このせいで一週間にCIPに四回も行っているが、今までやったことは楽しかったので、そんなに気にしていない。むしろ、こんな忙しさが大好きだ。
弓道というのは弓を使って、的に矢を打つスポーツである。だが、スポーツというより、弓道は日本の文化の一部だと思う。なぜかというと、スポーツと呼ばれても、結果より方法の方が大事だからだ。昔、弓道は戦争の一つの戦い方だったが、今の弓道は一つの瞑想の方法として使われている。弓道の一つのことわざは：「一射入魂 正射必中」。つまり、一発で全力で全魂を入れて打つことである。的の真ん中に当たらなくても、形が良かったら、それで十分なのだ。
毎週エミリーとメガンと一緒に京東部道センターで練習している。アーチェリーをやったことがあったが、弓道は初めてだった。期待通り最初から弓を待たせなかったが、思っていたより早く弓を触ることができた。私は失敗が多くて、弓の弦に手が当たって痛くなってしまうが、弓道のおかげで私の集中力が上がったと思う。
京大の合唱団に入った理由は二つある。先ず、日本人にあって友達を作ることだ。弓道の練習では、やはりみんなは練習に集中しているので、話すことはあまりできなくなってしまう。それに、私達の練習時間は他の生徒が終わってからなので、話す相手はほとんどいない。合唱団だったら、練習時間は他の日本人と一緒にやっているからこそ、友達も作れるんじゃないかなと思った。二つ目は、昔から歌うのが大好きだったが、大学に入ってから勉強とアルバイトで忙しくなって、合唱部なんて入ることはできなかった。でも歌は私にとってとても大事な物なので、もう一度やりたいと思って、京大の合唱団に入った。
京大の団員はみんないい人ばかりで、違和感なんてあまり感じられない。他の団員はお菓子をくれたり、イベントに誘ってくれたりしているので短い間だけかもしれないが、団員の一人として感じられる。そして何よりも、みんなは本当に音楽が大好きで、合唱団を大切にしているに違いない。その明るくてやる気まんまの雰囲気で練習するのが素敵だと思う。
毎日は確かに忙しいけれど、弓道と合唱のおかげで、その忙しい毎日は楽しく過ごせている。