Chiri mo tsumoreba yama to naru.

Chiri mo tsumoreba yama to naru is an ancient Japanese proverb that means, "Great oaks from little acorns grow."

My life has changed in big ways from what I thought would be- just another trip. My experiences in Japan were anything but just another trip. I thankful to JFMF, the Japanese Government and my local prinicpal and school system for allowing me the opportunity to experience this priceless experience. I have grown into a better person and educator as a result of my experiences. Simply, I was a student immersed into a foreign land.

In my short time in Japan I developed a strong sense of appreciation for their rich culture and diversity. I hope you will read my blog and view the pictures and see why I feel like such a great oak who started out like as a mere little acorn!

Sakuradai Kindergaten

Rise and shine. We ate breakfast at the ryokan and then headed to the airport for our trip back to Tokyo. I think all 20 Americans quickly fell asleep on the airplane. It was time to rest before we arrived back in Tokyo for our last two days of this magnificent experience.

The final two days consisted of a special seminar and a day of host city presentations. I signed up to attend a special visit to Sakuradai Kindergarten in Tokyo. In Japan, Kindergarten is generally referred to as a private preschool for 3, 4 and 5 year olds. Formal education begins with first grade in public elementary schools. I was eager to visit the five-year old classroom since this is my first year teaching kindergarten.

We began our tour with a brief meeting and orientation at the chapel of the school. It was a delight to meet Dr. Etsuko Kobayashi, the eighty-year co-founder and vice-principal of the preschool. Kobayashi learned to speak English when she studied on a fellowship in America back in 1950 and 1951 under the United States Government Aid and relief in Occupied Area Program. She married a local Japanese minister and started the church and kindergarten. The church is now affiliated with the Methodist faith.

Her husband Tetsuo Kobayashi served as principal until his death in 2004. Now, their daughter Yurimi will carry on the tradition as educational leader of the school. They are proud of their work over the past 50 years. It was the family calling to work hard to buy the land for the school and chapel, evangelize and educate. At a PTA meeting once a month, the parents participate in a worship service, Bible message, sing hymns and have prayer before the business meeting and school reports.

Following the orientation we visited the students who were performing songs and rhymes in the morning assembly in the grand hall. Again, even at an early age the students were very attentive and well mannered. It was very enjoyable and the students’ eagerness reminded me of our preschoolers. Later, we witnessed the youngest class participate in physical fitness on the playground with the P.E. teacher and his assistant. The middle class was working on arts and crafts project relating to their book, The Big Turnip. It was a treat to visit the oldest classroom, where the five year olds were participating in music. The teacher would play a Christmas song on the piano and the students would play the same tune on the harmonica. As I walked around the preschool, I was amazed at the detailed artwork of these youngsters and especially their origami skills.

After lunch, we returned to the chapel for questions and answers. The students had made us small gifts and were thrilled to present them to us. We all received a child-made necklace, chopsticks wrapped in decorative coverings and two Japanese child’s books. Sakuradai Kindergarten was a special place filled with love and kindness. It was child-centered and made me nostalgic for Peterson Elementary School.

As I prepared for my return to the United States, I realized how many vivid memories, pictures and stories I had to share back in America. I am thankful and blessed to have been selected by the Japan Fulbright Memorial Fund program for this life-changing experience and to have made friends with so many talented educators. I appreciate the financial support of the Japanese Government for funding this trip. I am especially appreciative to Mark Moses and The Red Springs Citizen for allowing me the opportunity to bring Japan to my hometown of Red Springs.

Sayoranora~Brian Freeman-Sensei

Any Chris Brown fans?

My girl from New Jersey was out exploring Tokyo without me and discovered R&B singer Chris Brown and his entourage. Chris is starring in the holiday movie, "This Christmas!" She didn't even get me an autograph!

The Ryokan-Traditional Japanese Hotel

It took thirty minutes for us to arrive at Kirishima Kanko Hotel and Hot Springs. It is located north of the Kagoshima prefecture in a mountainous range and was the first area to be designated as a national park in Japan. It is well known for its hot springs and crater lakes. It is one of the most popular destinations for hikers. Legend says, "Kirishima is the place where the gods "Ninigi-no-mikoto" descended from heaven." It was the site of the first emperor of Japan's birth.

How refreshing to stay at a traditional Japanese ryokan (hotel). We had one large room with a floor covered with a tatami mat as well as screen paneled doors that led to a balcony that overlooked the picturesque mountains. The room had hand painted sliding doors that stored our fold-out futon mattresses and bedcovers as well as yukatas, a traditional cotton leisure robe that you wear after you bathe. After a visit to the Hot Springs and wrapping ourselves in a soft yukata robe we headed to our Karaoke Dinner Party. It was a feast meant for a king. There was a plethora of raw foods. We had what seemed like hundreds of dishes on low tables. We sat on floor level cushioned chairs. Each person was responsible for cooking their own food. The attendants came by and lit flames under skillets and teapots and we cooked our own food. Following the dinner we had a karaoke party. Everyone had a blast singing and dancing and letting their hair down.

Exploring Chiran!

Awaking to the smell of breakfast made me feel right at home. Yoko had prepared a variety of things for breakfast including fresh fruit, rice, etc. After breakfast I met her parents who live two houses down. To my surprise, her mother Tomoko-sans presented me with a piece of white glazed Satsuma-yaki pottery with a breathtaking floral design on it. The artist had even signed the bottom of the vase. This vase was from her personal collection and was estimated to be valued at $400. I couldn't believe I was receiving this extravagant gift. I knew I would make sure the vase would make it back to America safely.

Needless to say I started the day off with a smile as we headed to the historic town of Chiran. Junichi took the scenic route and I got to see green tea fields and acres of Chrysanthemums in a rainbow of colors.

Chiran is referred to as the "Little Kyoto". It is well known for numerous samurai residences and gardens. I toured about 10 samurai houses with traditional gardens that have been perfectly preserved. A visit to one of these cultural treasures will allow you to experience traditional Japan. The structure and artifacts of these ornate homes hold many tales dating back to about 250 years ago. The elaborate and well-manicured gardens are arranged with stonewalls, beautifully shaped trees and shrubs, and ponds with fish. It definitely reflects the atmosphere of an Edo period village. I felt as if I had stepped back into time.

Additionally, we visited the Kamikaze Pilot Peace Museum. Over 50 years ago, an Army special attack base was placed in Chiran. On that particular site many young Kamikaze pilots flew and died in suicide missions. The museum was established to memorialize the brave young pilots’ efforts and to emphasize the need for World peace. The thousands of artifacts that had been preserved overwhelmed me. There were voice recordings in English that explained the displays. It was very touching and sad. There was a strong sense that conveyed the pilot’s feelings and shared records of their photos and the final letters they wrote home before they died. The host family children enjoyed seeing restored fighter planes and replicas on the grounds.

Following the museum visit, we enjoyed a festival in the park. There were tents and vendors. There was a live band and singers who performed. You could purchase fresh fruits, flowers or used items at the flea market. There was a calligraphy display, vegetable market and a Japanese floral arrangement exhibit called Ikebana. This is the art of arranging flowers aesthetically. Japanese believe floral arrangement should represent the three elements of sky, earth, and mankind in a well balanced relation.

It took 90 minutes to return back to Kagoshima City where the American delegation met as a group to head to Kirishima Kanko Hotel and Hot Springs. All of the delegates and host families shared a fond farewell with each other. There were even a few tears shared by some of the delegates and families. I certainly agree this time with the host family was the highlight of the trip for me. I was showered with love, kindness and graciousness.

The Homestay

Hard to believe it was time for us to re-pack again. This time for an overnight home stay visit at a traditional ryokan, Japanese Hotel and Hot Springs resort. Our large luggage was shipped back to Tokyo on a takkyubin delivery truck.

I woke up with nerves of steel as I prepared to stay with a local Japanese family. We were all anxious and excited. We were scheduled to meet our Host families in the Hotel lobby at 10 am. It is considered to be rude in Japan to be late so we all met at 9:30 am! I was pleased as punch to meet my host father Junichi Muraoke and his two sons Yunosuke, age 4 and Konosuke, age 2. The wife Yoko was at home preparing lunch.

Junichi is a Junior High School teacher and coaches basketball. His wife is a former Junior High School English teacher but now stays home with their two sons. The oldest son already knows some English words and can count to ten in English.

I enjoyed the 45-minute ride to their home. It is outside the city in a suburban area. The homes were very beautiful and the yards were well landscaped. When entering a Japanese house, you should take off your shoes at the entrance (genkan) and change into slippers. Their home had screen paneled doors and hand painted sliding doors. The kitchen was very compact. There was a large tatami mat room; this is where the family sleeps together on foldout futon mattress. You can only walk on the tatami mats with socks, no slippers.

Yoko and the children made pizza for me. It was very delicious. The children rolled the dough while Yoko prepared chicken and onions in soy sauce. For dessert, we had a homemade chocolate cake with nuts that was similar to an American brownie. I learned In Japan, you say "itadakimasu" ("I gratefully receive") before starting to eat, and "gochisosama (deshita)" ("Thank you for the meal") after finishing the meal. I presented the family with special gifts from UNC-Pembroke, a Bob Timberlake calendar and North Carolina lapel pin. The family presented me with things for my classroom like origami paper, kaleidoscope and paper lanterns. They had purchased for me a brown glazed pottery cup from a local pottery.

I jumped with joy when I found out my Host Family was taking me to visit Miyama (Higashiichiki)-The Town of Satsuma pottery. I have always been a fan of this particular type of pottery. I have never been able to afford to buy a piece. The art of Satsuma-yaki is over 400 years old. At the Satsuma pottery Museum "Miyama Touyukan", you can try making satsuma-yaki pottery. Unfortunately they were closing when we arrived which might have been a good thing because with these two American hands there is no telling what might have happened. I was able to see how Miyama kilns work and watch artists hand paint magnificent scenes and designs on the pottery. It was like watching their hands move in slow motion. The Japanese artists paid great attention to the details and literally each stroke was a work of art. Satsuma-yaki pottery has 2 types; White Satsuma (Shiro Satsuma) and black Satsuma (kuro Satsuma). White Satsuma is ivory glazed ware usually with carvings or gorgeous paintings on it. Black Satsuma is solid black glazed ware, which is widely used by the common people.

Later in the afternoon we took the boys trick or treating to the local dessert store where they had their picture taken and received a complimentary goodie bag. Then we visited the local supermarket. The highlight of the evening was attending a Samurai Festival at a local neighborhood shrine. The elaborate costumes and vivid colors were mesmerizing. There were a large number of children that participated in this community event. It is their custom to involve children so they can pass on their heritage and culture to the next generation. I was even interviewed by a local television station about my thoughts on this event. Once we returned home it was bathing, which is a ritual I had learned about in one of our sessions in Tokyo.
Basically in Japan, the main purpose of taking a bath besides cleaning your body is relaxation at the end of the day. The typical Japanese bathroom consists of two rooms, an entrance room where you undress. It has a sink, too. The actual bathroom is equipped with a shower and a deep bathtub. The toliet is located in a completely separate room. Here’s how to take a bath. When bathing Japanese style, you are supposed to first rinse your body outside the bathtub by taking some water from the tub and using a washbowl. Afterwards, you enter the tub and soak. The water is relatively hot for Westerners. After soaking for a while, you leave the tub and cleanse your body with soap. You must make sure that no soap gets into the bathing water. Once you finish cleaning yourself and rinse all the soap off your body using the shower, you may enter the bathtub once again for some more soaking. Get this, after leaving the tub, it is important not to drain the water, since all family members will use the same water. Most bathtubs can be automatically programmed to fill with water of a given temperature or to heat the water to a preferred temperature. After the long bathing experience we all went to bed early because the family had a big day planned for me.

Dancing with the Stars

Another amazing day was scheduled for us. We departed on our chartered bus and headed to City Hall where we met with a group of Japanese parents for small group questions and an informative Q&A session. The parents quizzed us about American schools and some of our successes and challenges. The American delegation did likewise. Some of the highlights from our discussion included: learning the cultural importance of education and respect for teachers, the pressure entrance examinations have on teenagers, and the fact that most Japanese students do not work any part-time jobs or have cars. It is critical that after school students attend "crammy" schools in order to be better prepared for entrance exams. Parents sacrifice and pay the "crammy" school fees in order to ensure a better chance for their children. We learned that University education is relatively cheaper in Japan than in America and that the majority of stay at home mothers begin teaching their toddlers before they enter public school or enroll them into private Kindergartens. This accounts for the 100% literacy rate prior to entering first grade.

Dancing with the Stars was up next. That is, the stars of the local Senior Citizen Ladies Dance Troupe. Oh what fun it was to pair up with one of the dancers and learn a traditional Japanese dance! We had to take our shoes off in order to make the required moves smoothly on the tatami mats. The ladies were thrilled to meet us and eager to teach us their dance moves. I must admit we worked up a sweat. The Senior Citizens really put us through a fun but physical workout.

Collapsing onto the bus we all caught our breath as we journeyed to our next destination, Kagoshima Bunka Kogei Village. This is similar to an American community center. It is dedicated to arts and crafts. The Village is secluded at the bottom of a hill in a grove of slender and tall trees. They even grow their own bamboo. That should have been a hint that we were about to make bamboo vases. We toured the facility and watched local artists make pottery, ceramics and tie-dye cloth. Once we entered the workshop it was time to roll up the sleeves and take off the tie. It was tool time. We were instructed on how to craft our own bamboo vase. The American delegation enjoyed measuring, sawing, and cutting the green bamboo. We whittled away at the bamboo with a sharp knife until we had our own perfect vase. It was so much fun. At the end of our session the lead craftsman branded our vase with the Bunka Kogei Village emblem. Our bamboo vases will be a keepsake to cherish forever. In fact, I have been enthralled with watching the vase change from green to brown before my very eyes.