Aelita Parker: DESA (Salsa!)

Aelita Parker

At salsa, aside from the dancing part, which is consistently enjoyable and has quickly become what I look forward to most on my Friday’s, I’ve gotten such an incredible opportunity to observe an entirely different side of Japan and Japanese. Here there’s no keigo, no bowing, and no real boundaries between sexes. Sometimes I’ll see two women dancing together or two men, and when I see a man and woman dancing it’s a completely different world of interaction. Even when people don’t know each other there’s an immediate familiarity and comfort that you can see in everyone’s complete lack of abashment. It almost feels like a different country in the drastic differences. My understanding of Japanese male female relationships (in a complete simplification) was one where the women sit at different tables then the men when there’s a gathering, where the woman cooks and washes dishes (for the most part), and when you meet someone new you do so with a bow and 「はじめまして」. Not to say that I see no love or joking between couples, but the inequality almost feels built in many times, especially with older adults. Café Rumbita however, has given me such a completely different view, one that expands my view not only of this group of individuals, but also of Japanese and Japanese society in general.

I think in our human need to define and explain, to make sense of people and situations, many think of Japanese and Japan in very narrow terms. We associate collectivism with a lack of uniqueness or personality, and while I didn’t need Salsa to tell me that’s a false and unfair label to place on a whole nation, Salsa gives me proof of that untruth every week. Because the stereotype of Japanese adults is one that can be hard to break, I’m so glad I’ve been in so many situations that completely contrast my previously conceived notions. Here there’s no hierarchy, just lots of spinning and Latin music.

Normally when I meet adults in Japan I get really nervous, trying to review all of the keigo I know in my head before I’m forced to say it. What I’ve noticed here though is that even with people I’m seeing or meeting with the same time, the interactions are much freer and more natural. Sometimes I dance with friends from DESA and we joke in Japanese and spin around with no attention paid to form, and other times I dance with 45 year old men who’ve taken their share of classes. No matter who it is though I don’t think I or they feel any apprehension, or think twice before asking to dance. It’s interesting that something you might peg as being outside of most people’s comfort zones, is the most comfortable place I’ve found myself in Japan, and I think other regulars would agree with me.

Because the context that we see adults in (even in America) you generally have to know someone on a pretty intimate basis to really get below the surface, to see more than a house wife or a salary man. Again I’ve gotten to see thoughts and motivations behind certain decisions from family and my host family in japan, gotten opinions on topics ranging from teenage pregnancy to testing in high schools, but for the first time I was able to see the completely carefree, the completely honest side of adults here. One of my favorite regulars is one of the most proactive and brave women I’ve seen, and it makes me wonder if she carries the same attitude with her back home. Is she as demanding, as enveloped in her life outside as she is in salsa? I see Japanese men dancing the Cuban “sexy” style, men in suits with such grace and precision that I can’t believe they’re not doing this professionally.

The other weekend I spoke to a woman who’s maybe in her forty’s for 20 minutes about the differences between LA, New York, and Cuban styles, after which she taught me a few new steps and we danced the marchata. An interaction I never would have believed would happen in Japan if I had not come here. I’m shy as well, so this has been such a great opportunity for me to break out of my shell and completely unfurl.

When I went this past Friday, for the first time, I danced with the teacher Masanori. Maybe an irrelevant side note but that moment was added to my top three favorite moments of my trip so far, and added to my already inexpressible love of salsa and café Rumbita.

 

パーカー・アリタ:DESA (サルサ)

私はDESAと言う国際交流サークルに参加しています。DESAはイベントがある上に、毎週金曜日サルサクラブに行きます。通例、そのサルサクラブは“カフィ・ルンビタ”という場所です。金曜日に、午後九時から大学生は無料(むりょう)で入れて、しかもサルサの授業も無料です。普通の週、友達と一緒に行くから、よく友達と踊ります。最も(もっとも)、友達が少ないときや、他のひとに誘われた時,新しい人とも踊(おど)りますが。もう四回行きましたから、私はおなじみですが、よく新しい人が来るので、サークルのメンバー全員に会ったことがないです。かんさつして色々な事に気づきました。たとえば、新しいパートナとあったら、おじぎをしながら、“お願いします”と言わなければならない。踊(おど)り終わると、お辞儀をしながら、“ありがとうございます”と言います。もちろん、友達とおどる時、そんな丁寧な挨拶(あいさつ)は必要じゃありません。今週も行くつもりなので、楽しみにしています!

Ambika Singh: Angelnet

When I first heard about the CIP project, I was at a complete loss as to what I would do. However, after some deliberation I decided that I would be an assistant English teacher. Back in the US I had been an art camp counselor since I was 14, so I figured that dealing with children would be basically the same regardless of what country I was in. Despite my initial confidence, my CIP proved to be one of the most challenging experiences of my life to date.

My CIP had its ups and downs, but I can definitely take away some life experience from it. I learned how to politely quit an organization (definitely an important skill), as well as how to handle situations in which you do not feel comfortable. In the US, politely quitting is not a common concept, as people tend to quit due to their job mistreating them or being less than desirable. However, in Japan this concept is well-known, and it seems that many people use it to leave their jobs. After realizing that my CIP was not what I had expected, I called my boss and thanked her for the volunteering opportunity and wished her the best. This conversation was pretty awkward, but in the end I think I accomplished my goal, to leave on a positive note.

Before I came to Japan I never had to deal with a situation like mine at Angelnet. I am less naïve now about volunteering, as it is not always an enjoyable experience, and I know that it can become very stressful and exhausting. Since I’ve also never had to deal with problematic children before, I’m glad that I now have the experience under my belt of how to handle them. In the future, I am definitely going to continue being a camp counselor in the US and I’m not going to let my CIP affect my love for volunteering.

Van Dinh: Farming

When I started my CIP, I didn’t really know what to expect from it. To be honest, after the initial meeting with my CIP contact, I wasn’t really looking forward to it at all. It wasn’t because farming didn’t seem interesting or fun, but because I had such a hard time following along with what he was saying. My Japanese isn’t what you would call good. Of course, I knew that in theory, I should slowly improve as the program goes on, but still, I had my worries. What if I couldn’t talk to anyone there? Or no one understands me because my Japanese is so terrible?

During the first weekend, I admit that I didn’t really make a lot of effort to talk to the other people there. It was intimidating and I was afraid of making a lot of mistakes and embarrassing myself. However, they were really nice and would ask me simple questions about myself. Since I didn’t know what else to say, I just asked them their questions back at them. It wasn’t much, but it was at least something I thought. As time went on, it became a little easier to talk to the Japanese people. I found that it was better to talk to someone one on one versus in a group. It was less scary that way. Also, I adopted a strategy of asking them questions so I wouldn’t have to talk all the time.

In the end, I’ve learned that in order to progress with my Japanese, I need to stop worrying about how I can’t speak Japanese perfectly. People will respond to my efforts, and if I do make mistakes (which is inevitable), then they will be kind enough to correct them so that I won’t do it again in the future.

Yueyi Zhou: Kyoto University Tennis Circle

In comparing the tennis practices from my high school team to the ones in Japan, I honestly didn’t notice much difference in the tennis itself. Every practice started out the same way, with the relaxed long-range rallies sans the jogging around the courts (supposedly because the courts in Japan are shared with about 5 other groups at any given point). When all the important sempai had finally assembled, we would gather in a circle and wish each other well, then splitting off into two groups: one to return the practice shots, and another to catch the balls and return them to the baskets, where the “instructor” sempai would grab them and shoot off practice shots to the other side. Interestingly enough, Mika, our “guardian sempai” who looked over us from the first day, would always direct us as to which group to join. After a few practices, I started realizing that our group never had the opportunity to practice smashes, volleys, or line drives – that is to say, Mika had purposefully funneled us into the “lower level” group. A month or so in, she stopped directing us, a psychological graduation from our initiation into soft tennis. Practice would ensue, with the two groups switching off, culminating in 3-point sets played across two courts. “Don’t mind!”, “Nice Shot!”, and “LAAAST!” (to signify the last few shots before a switch off) resounded around the courts. Finally, two “representatives” would start sweeping the sand evenly back across the courts while the rest of the team congregated around the benches for some idle post-practice chatter. At the very end, another group circle-up and “Otsukaresamadesita!” concluded the events of the night.

With just these actions, there were a few key differences that I immediately picked up on between Japanese and American tennis practices. They were both highly ritualized – the American one was mostly a physical ritual, beginning with a jog, then a mini rally by the net, moving gradually further back to coincide with the long-range rallies beginning the Japanese practice. Japanese ritualization, however, was more of the language and social hierarchy that was implemented, such as “Yoroshikuonegaishimasu!” at the beginning of practice and per switch-off, having assigned “court sweepers”, and subordination to (through fetching balls for) the sempai who were conducting the drills. Distinguishing between the upper and underclassmen was made incredibly easy due to the standardized greetings afforded to upperclassmen compared to the casual waves to incoming underclassmen.

Another point of interest was the use of English phrases (as exampled above) throughout practice. At first, I had to really strain my ear to figure out what was being said, but once figured out the phrases became second nature. As these phrases are actually more ingrained into Japanese culture, it’s totally understandable that the group would use these set phrases, but I’m still curious to see if other sports / CIP groups tend to use English exclamations.

All in all, soft tennis will definitely mark my experience in Kyoto – the foray into Saiin, the sand in my socks, soft tennis balls hurtling at me at breakneck speed. But most of all, I’ll remember the members of Kyoto University’s Soft Tennis Circle, for all their their kindness and the wonderful memories they’ve left with me.

Chang won Lee: Ultimate Frisbee Circle – Breeze

I originally planned on learning kyudo (Japanese archery) for my community involvement project, but ultimately decided to join Kyoto University’ ultimate frisbee club “Breeze” in hopes that this intramural sports circle would provide more opportunities for conversation with Japanese students (I definitely needed the exercise as well). Reflecting back on the semester that flashed by, this proved to be a great choice; I met wonderful people, improved my Japanese speaking, and learned more about Japanese culture. Though of course, this experience was not without its challenges.

A cultural difference I quickly realized was the attitude towards intramurals in Japanese universities. Unlike the more light-hearted and playful mood that surrounds the activities of US intramural clubs, Breeze’s practices were in comparison carefully regimented and serious. Each practice, all members performed basic training exercises then split into the men and women’s team to work on team-specific drills and exercises. With every practice matches followed a round of discussion in which the senior members taught junior members the finer points of the game. While this approach to intramural sports did not mean the team was strictly competitive, the members’ attitudes made the purpose clear that the practice was not solely to have fun. Hence, my lack of experience became the biggest obstacle that inhibited my involvement within Breeze. Even freshmen players, with already five months of practice under their belt, had developed into skilled players while I still had to learn the basics. Due to this skill gap, I was unable to participate in practice matches and at times practiced separate from the main group of members.

While I could not fully integrate myself into the activities of Breeze and its members, joining Breeze was a wonderful experience as this provided plenty of opportunities to practice my Japanese speaking skills. Breeze has over 30 members and there were always opportunities to engage in quick conversations with different members. Though, I became particularly closer with the managers for the men’s team of Breeze. My exclusion from practice matches actually contained its upside as this provided lengthy windows of time that I could fill by chatting with the team managers. These conversations undoubtedly led to the most memorable conversations during my time at Breeze. In one conversation, the manager and I discussed possible reasons why the system of day light savings was not used in Japan. Of course, as with all conversation topics that entered a realm that required terms outside the commonly used, everyday vocab, this conversation inevitably led to some use of the dictionary and hand gestures. In the end, my time in Breeze allowed me to further increase my knowledge of Japanese culture and improved my speaking skills. I even acquired another unexpected skill: remembering Japanese names (which I probably learned a bit too late).

While short, Breeze was indeed a memorable experience; the club is filled with nice, sincere people and I greatly enjoyed the conversations I shared with them. I even developed a greater interest for the game of ultimate frisbee and plan to join an ultimate frisbee club at Penn once I return to the United States.

エイミー・シン:エンジェルネット

初めまして。ペン大のエイミーシンと申します。私 はエンジェルネットというところでボランティエをしています。エンジェルネットは 子供が来て、おやつをたべたり、宿題をしたり、あそんだりするところです。そして、毎週私は子供の手伝いをしています。

私はいつも二時半にエンジェルネットのビルに入って、靴を脱いで部屋に入ります。子供は私を見ると笑らいます.その後で子供はおやつを食べます。おやつは 私は子供に水をあげます。おやつの後でみんな歌を歌って、とてもかわいいです。歌はたくさんあるんです。例えばおやつの歌とかどんぶりの歌があります。その後で、子供はいっしょにレゴとドミノで楽しそうに遊びます。私は五時半まで子供とゲームをします。金曜日は散歩をする日です。散歩をする時は、エンジェルネットの外の商店街でします。ほかの人は子供達に「こんにちは!」とか「かわいい!」と言います。いつもとてもおもしろいと思います。五時半に私はエパートに帰ります。

これが私の普通のスケジュールですが、毎回同じというわけではありません。時々私はほかのことをします。例えば、時々エンジェルネットのちらしをたたんで、封筒に入れます。この仕事はおもしろくないと思います。でも、エンジェルネットにお客さんを引きつけるために、ちらしを配った方がいいです。

エンジェルネットに三人の先生がいるから、時々先生と話します。二人は英語を話せないから、日本語で話します。でも、一人は英語を勉強しているから、先生の英語の勉強のために英語で話します。子供は時々英語を話したり、時々日本語を話したります。でも、子供はとても早く話して、関西弁だから、時々全然分かりません.そのような時に、私は微笑んで、「分かりません」と言って、新しい話題について話します。でも、私はCIPを参加して日本語を習いました。だから、嬉しいです。私のブログを読んでくださってありがとうございました。

シュウ・ユエイ:京大ソフトテニスサークル

CIPを決める時には、過去経験した事がある内容のサークルに注目しました。特に京大のオーケストラやテニスなどのサークルに興味を持ち、少し調べてみました。オーケストラに参加する場合に備えてトランペットのマウスピースをアメリカから持ってきましたが、テニスラケットだけは大きすぎて、とりあえずアメリカに置いてきました。しかし、オーケストラの方は楽器を借りないといけなくて、一学期しか参加できなくて、半年だけで戻ってもオケの皆さんに迷惑になるかと思いながら授業で先生に相談しました。

その後わずか一週間後に私は西院テニスコートで京大ソフトテニスサークルの練習に参加させてもらいました。ラケットまで貸してもらって、サークルの皆さんはとても優しかったです。私はもうレギュラーの様に見られて、紹介などはありませんでした。後から見ると、サークルには毎日30人ほど練習に参加して、今でもまだ会った事も無い人たちが毎週数人会います。その理由は、このサークルは試合やトーナメントなどはなくて自分の為に練習するので、毎週参加する人はその週が暇な人だったということなのでしょう。

ソフトテニスは難しいですが、この一ヶ月間で大分上達できたと思います。サークルのおかげで京大と同志社の外の生徒さんに会う機会もいただいて、本当にうれしいです。毎週練習に参加する時は、「今日はまた新しい生徒達に会えるかな?」と思いながら楽しんでいます。

イ・チャンワン:フリズビーサークル


みんなのかばん

私のCIPは京都大学のBREEZEというULTIMATE FRISBEEのサークルだ。まだ練習は五回ぐらいしか行っていないから多くないけどもういろいろなけいけんをした。実は、私はFRISBEEのけいけんがなかったから本当に心配した。初めの練習で、私は「けい」という二年生と会ってけいくんとFRISBEEの練習を始めた。でも、私の日本語はまだよくなかったし、FRISBEEの能力もだめだったせいで、他の人と話すことがあまりなくて私がほかのメンバーと話す時はだれも私をしらなかった。


フリズビー練習!

でも、私はもっとがんばった。そして、私の日本語の能力とFRISBEEの能力も向上しつつあり、他のメンバーと話すきかいが多くなってみんな、私をもっとわかるようになった。今、私は練習ごとにたくさんBREEZEのメンバーと話して少しずつ友達もつくってきた。もちろん、まだBREEZEの中でたくさんすることがあるけど本当にがんばって来たと思う。今までは、BREEZEのサークルは楽しくていいけいけんだった。

ヴァン・ディン:農業

私のCIPは「モリノメグミ」という農業のグループです。ブリーデンさんと一緒にしています。国際会館駅に行くと、かわくぼさんが待ってくださっています。そして、私たちを畑まで乗せて行ってくれます。初めは、大津市の近くの田んぼに行きました。8人ぐらいいました。手袋を買いましたが長ぐつを持って行かなかったので、かわくぼさんが貸してくれました。11時から4時まで米の刈り入れをしました。難しいですが、とても楽しかったです。みんなやさしかったです。毎週末、農業を楽しみにしています。