HIstory Lesson:
The Meiji period (3 November 1852–30 July 1912) is known to be the modernizing period of Japan when western culture influenced drastic changes in the society of Japan on nearly all levels.

Meiji Mura is probably one of the biggest theme parks I have ever been to. Its a huge museum inwhich all of the buildings and sites are preserved just as they were during the Meiji Era. Also known as the age of Japanese Modernization.

The coolest exhibit at Meiji Mura was the Jail. This guy is a wax sculpture. He freaked me out when I walked by because he looked so real. There was a mashed twinkie in his bowl there and seeing how those things never go bad, I had a little bit of it. Lets just hope I don't wake up one night to find him standing over me expecting to get the twinkie back....

This is a picture of everyone who went to Meiji Town-Museum: From left to right: Shawn, Travis, Me, Suzuki sensei, and Yuri.

Today’s adventure is teaching at a countryside elementary school. I have been assigned to conduct and English lesson with the 4th grade. I have only had teaching familiarity with high school students so this will be a new experience with me. I plan to keep the lesson as simple as possible, it seems that the more complicated you make the lesson; the more there is to go wrong. My lesson plan is barnyard animals and the noises that they make.

Suzuki sensei was kind enough to buy tons and tons of candy for the children, so I plan on using the candy as a reward for answering questions correctly. Suzuki sensei is actually from this area of Japan and a teacher from Suzuki sensei’s school days – Mr. Taniguchi- was so kind as to set up this exchange between us and the elementary school. Suzuki sensei assured us that Taniguchi sensei is a very nice person: “He never gets angry!” she said.

Before reaching the elementary school we stopped by a very large park. It was at this park that I was able to see some of the prettiest scenery I have ever seen in Japan. There was a large river and below that river was one of the largest walking bridges I have ever seen. We stopped to get our materials prepared and to get out thoughts together before presenting to the students. For most of the students on this trip, it is their first time teaching. With two of the students being business majors, one student majoring in chemistry, and the rest Asian studies majors, I don’t know if any of us would have ever imagined teaching as a part of our education. Despite the inexperience, everyone had the look of optimism on their face. In fact, Peter and Travis were pretty eager to get into the classroom and start teaching.
After collecting our materials and making the short drive over to the elementary school were prepared to be full-fledged teachers! As soon as we got out of the car there were children looking out the windows enthusiastically waiting for us to arrive. There were a few children who waved and screamed “hello!” from the top second floor. I wish I was able to get the look on everyone’s faces on tape at that one moment because you can see our faces melt.

The first thing we did was go directly to the principal’s office. This alone brought back memories of my childhood. (I spent a lot of time in the principal’s office.) The principal introduced himself and the schedule for the day. It was fun to just shoot the shandy with the principal. In my experience, I was usually getting scolded so it was a nice departure from the norm for me.

From the principals office we went to the second floor where the performance area and stage were located. All of the children were patiently waiting for us to arrive by sitting on the ground. It was amazing to see the entire school sitting in a room that could easily be compared to one of the smaller lecture halls at UVM. There are only around 100 students in this elementary school. This is pretty indicative of Japan in general because people are having so few children in Japan.

After the opening ceremony we were divided to each of our classrooms and our lessons began. It was a good thing that I decided to keep my lesson plan as simple as possible, it turns out that most of the students had no idea what noises the animals make in English. It was absurd of me to assume that they would anyway, but by planning my lesson on a very simple topic I inadvertently made a very challenging and fun lesson for the children. However, this does not explain the full story. One student was extraordinarily knowledgeable of English. It turns out that she has already starting taking English lessons after school. Most Japanese children don’t start taking extra classes until junior high school. So if you were to come into my classroom at any given moment during the lesson, you would immediately notice which student I am speaking of simply by noticing the amount of candy piled on her desk from answering each question correctly.

When it was all finished, I felt that my experience teaching was spectacular. I really didn’t know that I had that ability to teach so well. The principal even commended me for my lesson and said that he was impressed with how well I ran the classroom.

The thunder gate (Kaminari Mon) is probably one of the most well known images that are associated with Japan even though most people wouldn’t initially think of it. If you were to select ten images that unequivocally make you think “Japan” I am sure you would select Mt. Fuji, sumo, geisha, and sushi. However, if I were to flash the picture of the thunder gate (kaminari mon) in front of your eyes you would most certainly say Japan.
If you were to have your picture taken underneath the massive red lantern that hangs from the bottom of the gate, you would absolutely hear thunder rolling above your head. You could possibly attest this sound to the bustle of the market behind you, but I would like to think that it is voices of all the people who have passed through the gate since its construction in 1657.
We walked up the cobblestone walkway with merchants selling souvenirs on either side of us all the way up to the temple. They sold things like ornamental samurai swords, Japanese flags, yukatas (a robe that looks very similar to a kimono but is specifically worn in the summer), chop sticks, and traditional Japanese sweets. Before long we reached another set of gates which lead to an open courtyard. In the center of this courtyard was a large metal well. Within the well were burning incense sticks. It is believed that the smoke from the burning incense within the well will make anything better. So you see many people wafting the smoke to the areas of their bodies. Most people pull the smoke towards their heads. The elderly tend to pull the smoke towards their backs or legs. I noticed one man pull the belt line of his pants away from his hips and waft the smoke into his pants. Ancient Japanese secret huh??? Yuri, Travis, and I each buy a bundle of incense and set it on fire. I have had trouble focusing lately so I wafted the smoke towards my head.
If you ever have the chance to visit the temple at Asakusa, be sure to look up once you enter the building because one of the most spectacular sights are the paintings on the ceiling. Time and exposure has faded the detail of the paintings on the ceilings but it is still very visible. If you do have plans to visit Tokyo, make it Asakusa and see the painting for yourself.

After leaving Asakusa we had to prepare to board the bullet train for Aichi prefecture. I have been on the bullet train several times so it is nothing new to me. The best way of describing the feeling of riding the bullet train is the same feeling you get on a plane when it is taking off. Immediately after the train leaves the station it slowly builds speed and your body is pulled back into the chair. It’s amazing how well the eyes adjust to the speed of the passing scenery. Its really funny because at 186 miles an hour the railroad crossing bells that warn drivers of an oncoming train go from a continuous ringing to a single ring.
Businessmen file into the train expeditiously and sit in their seats as quickly as possible. Most of them are carrying plastic bags that have their dinners in bento boxes in them. These salary men are commuters. After gobbling down their dinners and guzzling a beer or two, they are off to sleep.

$59.76. That is how much I spent of Sushi for breakfast. Please keep in mind that this is no ordinary sushi. This is the freshest sushi available on May 17th 2006. Today we are at the fish market, and I mean: THE FISH MARKET. During the night fishermen are out doing their jobs and in the morning they come to the fish market to auction off their best catch. The fish market is dark, really dark. I guess they keep it that way so that the fish isn’t exposed to direct sunlight that might cause the fish to decay faster. Its moist, but the air is surprisingly free of that funny fish smell. As you walk through the market Styrofoam cases are stacked to either side of you. Each case is filled with ice and today’s catch.
Yuri, Travis, Shawn, and I had perhaps the best sushi you can ever have for just $59.76. Now, I couldn’t quite remember what I had and this is probably due to the fact that I was in sushi heaven. I really didn’t take time to figure out what was going into my mouth. I just pointed to what looked good and shoved it in. I remember living in Japan when I was sixteen and being forced to learn Japanese. I also remember going to college in Japan to study Japanese as well as taking Japanese here at UVM. But for some reason, I just couldn’t speak Japanese while I was at the sushi shop. The only form of communication that I could manage was pointing and nodding. It’s funny how food can make you an idiot. Now that I can think more clearly about it, I only had 8-10 pieces of sushi. At $59.76 for only 8 pieces of sushi was definitely worth it.

18日５月木

寿司の日

今朝七時半に目を覚まして、すぐ近くのコンビ二で卵サンドイッチとコヒを買いました。ちゃんと準備しないといけないlで色々の所に行く予定を決まることにしました。まず、築地魚市場に行きます。新鮮な魚が必要時に他に適当な所ほどではありません。毎日、海から取ったばっかり魚をオークションで売ります。新鮮な魚を手に入れるためにレストランのオーナーが早く起きて、オークションに参加します。私とトラビスとユリが一つの寿司屋の寿司で五千九百円を払いました。

It seems like this will be the highlight of the trip for Panza, Sam, Peter and Shawn because they are really interested in modern Japanese fashion and metropolitan culture. I have only visited Tokyo once or twice and although I have had a god time there, I don’t find it to be very interesting. Despite Tokyo’s position as Japan’s central nervous system, it isn’t a great tourist spot. In fact, in many ways Tokyo is a lot like New York City; you can certainly see all the sights in one day, but in my opinion it is not for tourists. If you are interested in the traditional types of tourist activity, you should probably look towards Kyoto.
Harujyku, Shinjyuku, and Shibuya are the primary places to see some of the most unique the sub-cultures that exists amongst Japan’s youth. It is well known that on Sundays Harukjyku is teeming with youngsters in full costume. Some of these youths are still in junior high school, while others would be considered young professionals on any other day of the week. For many, the clothes that they wear are a strong representation of self identity and their personal lifestyle choice. I use the word “costume” as loosely as I possibly can. The prospect of participating in the Harujyku “fashion show” drew Peter, Sam, Shawn, and especially Panza to the shopping districts like criticism to a mime. When we assembled in the hotel lobby to review the details for the day, they came down dressed to turn as many heads as possible. Panza, by far, looked the most extreme and therefore received the most attention (both good and bad). Although it is only natural for Panza to draw gawks and awes from the older people on the street, he is touted for his attire by younger crowds. It seems that his sense of fashion makes him a maverick in this part of Japan. Not to mention the fact that he is one of the few six foot five blue eyed people walking around Japan. I believe his purple spiked hair only marginally increased his uniqueness.
Yuri, Travis and I decided to split from the rest of the group and do some shopping of our own. Unfortunately, despite our best efforts to buy items that are unique to Japanese fashion, we ended up shopping at the same stores we would in the United States. Somebody beat me with the dumb American tourist stick please. In my defense, I have to argue that no matter where you go, you will inevitably buy clothes that you can get in the U.S... The difference is how you place your outfit together.
Besides, I was more interested in finding something truly unique to Japan. Clothes and gadgets can be found anywhere really; I was more concerned with eating Japanese food. Of course, it always comes back to eating with me. If there is delicious food around, you better bet I am going to find it.

After one year of high school in Japan I returned to the United States and finished another two years at the high school in my hometown. To a high school student, school is school. It is boring no matter where you are in the modernized world. I now think that this is an unfortunate opinion to have about education. Especially now that I am paying off college loans. At any rate, youth certainly has advantages in that I was able to retain a great deal of Japanese speaking ability before entering the University of Vermont and taking my first legitimate Japanese language course. In Japan, I was instructed on some grammar, reading, and writing; however much of what I learned came from the conversations I had with the boys in my class who were always in danger of failing. Some of them felt that high school was a waste of their time because they knew they would just work in a specific trade. So they spent their time with me, teaching me all the dirty words first, and allowing me to piece together the more civilized expressions on my own.

When I went back to study abroad again in college, I found out that a few of them had jobs with Toyota. I couldn't find out what exactly what they were doing for Toyota because the only time I could find them was during the middle of the Danjiri Festival. They made it clear to me that stopping to talk to me at that time wasn't good. Although, they were very eager to broach a quick discussion about how much better my Japanese had gotten, and how it was because they were such great teachers. I miss those guys. If I didn't have rude friends, I wouldn't have friends at all.