Tag Archives: 2011

One Year Ago We Graduated

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There will be many posts like this.  There have been many for days.  March 11 had and is still having such a profound impact on so many people.  It is one of those incidents in history that people will ask, “Where were you?”

I was on an island with a total land area of only 13km2 (5sq mi) in the middle of the South Pacific.  We were busily preparing and rehearsing for our Junior High graduation ceremony.  The ceremony was important since those third graders would leave their island of 550 people and travel to the mainland for High School.  Then there were announcements and though we were surrounded by high cliffs, we had to wonder, would the Tsunami take us too?

It was surreal gathering around one of the TVs with students and teachers to watch so many hopes and dreams wash away.  I saw a truck trying to get away, and heard people around me telling it to turn.  It turned the wrong way.

Though we were in the same ocean, we were far enough south, and surrounded by tall enough cliffs.  Our students graduated the next day, but it wasn’t just the students who went to a new level.  The world came together in support, we had another reminder about the need for care with nuclear power, and Japan survived.

There is still much to do.

Life will never go back.

がんばれ。　日本。

Below are a few images I took while standing with my students. Consider donating to an Earthquake research institute (one example) to help prepare for the future.

If you’d prefer a more direct approach you can help the village of Kesennuma here http://www.city.kesennuma.lg.jp/www/english/donation-e.html

The world moved.  The past several years have been ones of upheaval and change.  Its time we graduate, go out into the world and make a difference.  Learn about another culture.  Make a new friend.  Support research and education.  The Earth is moving.  Are you?

East meets … Farther East

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There are a lot of different azas (字) on Kumejima.  An aza is smaller than a village, but bigger than a neighborhood.  Each one has its own community center and most host different events throughout the year.  Kanegusuku-aza‘s claim to fame is the Murashibi festival on September 12.  It falls every year on the full moon in September, dating back to when Japan used the lunar calendar.  This is one of the unique events only in Kumejima, and is particular to Kanegusuku-aza.

 

Like many festivals there were booths set up serving drinks and food, and throughout the entire evening there were performances by various groups.

 

 

The highlight of the event, and the thing that makes it so unique is the shishima (lion dance).  The Shishima is also where East (Japan) meets West (in this case China).  As with much of Okinawa culture it is heavily influenced by Okinawa’s long association with China.

 

 

Traditional Okinawan clothing, dance, and even language have more obvious Chinese influence than mainland Japan does.

 

 

The Shishima dance starts off going door to door.  Its considered good luck if the lion bites a child (scaring away demons).  Later, on the stage, two people dance (one representing a pregnant woman).  The lion dances to the music and snaps his mouth, scaring away evil spirits.  The lion is operated by at least two people who have to work in tandem to do the complicated gestures required by the dance.

 

In addition to the Shishimai there were other traditional Okinawan dances(at least three types), sanshin players, student eisa performances, a band, and an okarina player.  For a small festival put on by 1/32 of a small island, it was quite the show.

 

 

 

The Japan Status – Spring ’11

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Here’s the first in series intended to be a snapshot of Japan as it is right now.  There is no way I can be as all inclusive as I would like, but hopefully this will paint a general picture about where Japan is now.

Physically

Japan is recovering from March earthquakes and tsunami.  The nuclear power plant is slowly being brought under control, but still poses risks.  At least one reactor has significantly melted, though it does not appear to be in danger of melting through its protective casings (ie the most dangerous aspect of a meltdown).  Bodies are still being recovered and there are still evacuation zones around the plant, though the severity of evacuation procedures seems to be changing as radiation decays.

Economy

The Japanese Economy is likely in a recession caused by the massive damage to infrastructure and people in March.  The reduction is consumer spending has also hampered things as people turned towards necessities rather than desires.  The Yen is also still strong (82.86 vs the dollar as of Monday, May 23, 2011) which hurts Japan’s export based economy.  The G20 was working to keep the Yen from strengthening too dangerously, and the Bank of Japan has intervened over the last months.  Many Japanese companies are still struggling to rebuild lost or broken factories, crippling production which is slowing recovery.

Politics

The world rallied behind Japan, offering aid after the disasters.  While much was accepted, much aid was also not taken.  Japan and America have reaffirmed their strategic and economic ties.  Japan, South Korea, and China are working on a free trade pact between the three countries.  The more belligerent aspects of China’s foreign policy have seemed to have toned down in the last months and China has offered support to Japan in its time of need.  (The group SMAP sang for the Chinese Premier’s visit).

On another note, Japan may be moving towards adopting the Hauge Convention which regulates child-custody.  It is a long-standing divide between Japan and many western countries.

Culture/Tech

The release of Nintendo’s 3Ds was below expectations, likely due to the earthquake/tsunami.  Nintendo is also expected to announce the successor to the Wii system soon, putting it in position to be the first of the 3 major systems to release its nextgen.

The Most Popular (among my Jr. High School Students) Music: AKB48, Anime/Manga: One Piece, Sport: Badminton

As always, if you have questions, comments, or ideas/corrections please post a reply or email me.